Durham gardens, honestly assessed
A patio only works if it suits the space. Behind a terrace in Gilesgate or the streets below the station, that may mean replacing cracked concrete in a walled yard. On the Newton Hall estate or in Belmont, it's usually a family patio outside the back doors. In Shincliffe, Brancepeth or Neville's Cross, there may be room for a broad terrace with steps down to the lawn.
Durham is a hilly city, so many gardens slope. We set out levels first, then decide whether a single patio, a couple of terraces or a step down to the lawn makes most sense.
Materials
Sandstone and limestone suit the stone and brick of older Durham homes. Porcelain is the low-maintenance choice for modern houses and extensions. Block paving handles curves and small, awkward yards with less waste.
Yards and cottages
Many homes in Brandon, Ushaw Moor, Sherburn, Bowburn and Langley Moor are former colliery terraces, with a back yard opening onto a rear lane. These yards often have an old drainage gully, a low damp-proof course and walls that need respecting. Our guide to terraced and colliery cottage patios explains what we look out for.
Water and the house
A patio should fall gently away from the house, sit at least 150 millimetres below the damp-proof course and leave airbricks clear. Plenty of Durham gardens are on heavy clay, so we always plan where the rain will go.
