Does a steeply sloping garden bother you/make a difference?

Person_one

Very sloping gardens are great if you want a beautifully landscaped, multi-levelled ornate garden.

If you want your kids to be able to play football, or swingball or pitch a tent, or even just run around unsupervised, then they're terrible.

glasgowdan

The whole garden slopes toward the south, so the best way for a slope I think. The front of the house faces south, so the back garden gets a lot of sun. The front garden is a lot shallower and the top of drive is probably only a 1:20 gradient or so.

BUT, a safe play area for kids really is our biggest thought here. And sad to say, despite the house being superb for us, I don't think it's going to be the home for us It's vaguely terraced, but the rear lawn is not flat by any means so it would require further landscaping. The steps at the back closest to the house are steep and I'm nervous just picturing a toddler charging towards them to tumble 8-10ft onto concrete.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-41541012.html

ellie27

That would be too steep for me. They have transformed the house well but not spent enough on the garden.

Ours is similar, but there are 2 tiers to it and both have been flattened.

Person_one

They've tried really hard to make the garden look as flat as possible in that picture haven't they!

With toddlers, I think you're right to look for somewhere else. What's the point of a huge garden if you've got a kid who can't play in it?

Mickygg

You really can landscape steep gardens really well. My neighbour did it and it looks fab. Yes you need to be prepared to climb steps.
My last 2 houses have had steep gardens and the only time it bothers me is cutting the grass as its a bit of a workout but it's different and I like it.
It's great for older kids, they love it, but not so great for toddlers.

Andypandyboy

I think it is fine. You could do more with it, but it is useable. You have to think about how often kids actually play in the garden, and how long that phase lasts and weigh that against the space and amenities the house gives you.

We have a large tiered back garden, and a smallish but flat side garden, and a large decking area. It was enough for us as we found that it was sufficient for a kick about, a paddling pool or tent. Which was all that was needed for the amount of days that kids can use the space in the UK.

Think hard before you discount what is otherwise a lovely house.

dc197

How many other hours have you viewed? Are you still at the stage where you discount a house because of a niggle, or are you ready to take a compromise? That is a lovely house and the rear garden looks like it already has a decent lawn, albeit with a slope on. Try to weigh up all sides of it.

kinger101

Doesn't look too bad to me. I'd want to make sure the drainage at the back was adequate though.

househunt

I agree with dc197. That is a very nice family home. The garden in this case can be landscaped to yourself desire. Personally if I had this garden, I'd spend some money, hire a digger and dig out most of the garden into a large straight square.

Money_saving_maniac

Lovely house would cost a lot of money to get that terraced. Or a lot of hours of backbreaking work for you.