Garden Room Extension: A Complete Guide

Round & About

Home & Garden

A garden room extension can be a highly rewarding investment. Discover all you need to take into consideration, including planning, design and cost.

A garden room extension can create extra living space, provide a lovely location for a home office, or allow room for a tranquil retreat. All in all a highly rewarding investment. 

One company at the forefront of building bespoke oak-framed garden rooms is The Classic Barn Company. Renowned for their expertise in constructing a wide range of oak framed buildings their skilled craftsmen possess the ability to handle projects of varying sizes and complexity, showcasing the versatility of oak framing.

This editorial will cover all the essential questions UK homeowners need to consider before embarking on a garden room extension project, with insights drawn from the experience of Andrew Guppy, founder of The Classic Barn Company.

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Garden Room Extension?

The price of building a garden room varies significantly depending on the size, materials, and design. According to The Classic Barn Company, oak-framed garden room extensions typically range between £70,000 and £120,000 + vat at today’s prices, depending on the complexity and specification.

Key cost factors include the foundation work, the choice of glazing (whether you opt for bi-fold doors, for example), insulation, and interior finishes. Oak is a premium material, and while it may cost more upfront, its durability and timeless aesthetic often make it a worthwhile investment. 

Garden Room Extension

Do I Need Planning Permission for a Garden Room Extension?

Whether or not you need planning permission for your garden room extension depends on several factors. If the garden room is under a certain size and within permitted development rights, it may not require planning permission. 
The Classic Barn Company advises that it is essential to adhere to both planning and building control requirements when planning any building work. This is something you can attempt to navigate yourself but they do offer full planning and building control services, guiding you through the process and ensuring that all aspects of your garden room extension comply with UK planning regulations.

  Oak Beams in Room Above Extension
Bathroom in Garden Room Extension

Do Garden Rooms Add Value to Your House?

Adding a garden room to your property can significantly increase its market value. On average, garden rooms can add between 5% and 10% to the overall value of your home, especially when built to a high standard using premium materials like oak.

The Classic Barn Company builds bespoke oak-framed garden rooms that enhance both the visual appeal and functionality of a property. Their garden rooms are designed to blend seamlessly with the existing architecture and often incorporate garage space and room above space, providing potential buyers with a desirable additional living space. The durability of oak framing also ensures that the extension remains an attractive feature for years to come. For a detailed look at how oak-framed buildings can add value, visit The Classic Barn Company or check out their informative YouTube channel

Oak Extension Linked To House

Can I Attach a Garden Room to My House?

Yes, you can attach a garden room extension to your house. Many homeowners opt to link their garden room to their main residence via a connecting hallway or corridor. This provides easy access to the garden room, which can be used as a living area, home office, or even a guest room. This also adds more value relative to the build cost, as the space contributes to the main property’s overall square footage.

The Classic Barn Company specialises in designing oak-framed garden rooms that can be seamlessly attached to your home, providing a smooth flow between indoor and outdoor spaces. Their expert team can create a design that complements your existing architecture while enhancing the overall layout of your home.

Living Quarters Above A Garage Extension

Can I Add an Oak Framed Garden Room to a Brick Built House?

Absolutely. Oak frames can be added to a wide variety of property types, including brick-built houses. The juxtaposition of traditional brick with natural oak can create a stunning aesthetic, blending the strength and solidity of brick with the warmth and character of oak.

The Classic Barn Company has extensive experience in designing oak-framed extensions for brick homes. Their bespoke oak structures are carefully crafted to harmonise with your existing property, creating a cohesive look. Whether your home is modern or period, oak can provide an elegant, high-quality extension that feels like an integral part of the original house.

Glazed Gable Balcony On Garage Garden Room

Do Oak Frames Make a Good Garden Room Extension?

Oak frames are an excellent choice for a garden room extension. Oak is renowned for its strength, durability, and timeless beauty. It’s also a sustainable building material, with oak trees being replanted to ensure future supplies.

One of the major advantages of using oak for a garden room extension is its natural insulation properties. Oak frames can help maintain a comfortable temperature in your garden room, keeping it cool in the summer and warm in the winter. 

The Classic Barn Company’s oak-framed structures are built using traditional craftsmanship combined with modern building techniques, ensuring that your garden room extension is both energy-efficient and long-lasting.

Timber Framed Extension Linked To House

What Is a Link Extension?

A link extension is a small corridor or hallway that connects a garden room or other extension to the main house. It serves as a transitional space, providing easy access between the main property and the extension.

Link extensions are a popular choice for garden rooms, as they allow homeowners to create a seamless connection between the house and the garden room while maintaining the integrity of the original building. 

The Classic Barn Company is adept at designing and building link extensions that enhance both the aesthetic and functional aspects of your property.

Living Quarters Above A Garage

Can You Use a Link Extension with an Oak Frame Garden Room?

Yes, a link extension can be used with an oak-framed garden room. In fact, combining the two can create a striking architectural feature. Oak frames add character and a sense of grandeur to any property, and when paired with a well-designed link extension, they can create a harmonious transition between the indoor and outdoor spaces.

The Classic Barn Company offers bespoke oak-framed link extensions that are tailored to match the design of your garden room and home. Whether you’re looking for a glazed corridor to maximise natural light or a more traditional oak-framed walkway, they can design and build a solution that fits your vision.

3 Bay Garage With Room Above

Is it Worth Building a Garden Room Extension?

A garden room extension can provide valuable extra space while enhancing the aesthetic and financial value of your home. Whether you choose to use it as an office, living room, or guest space, the versatility of a garden room makes it a popular choice for UK homeowners. 

Working with a company like The Classic Barn Company, known for their craftsmanship in oak framing and an accredited member of The Guild of Master Craftsmen, ensures that your garden room extension is built to the highest standard.

From planning permission to design and construction, The Classic Barn Company offers a full range of services to guide you through the process, with an array of design solutions for both single storey designs or room above garages making your dream garden room a reality. 

With their expertise in oak framing, they can create a bespoke extension that not only meets your needs but also stands the test of time.

To learn more about oak-framed garden rooms visit The Classic Barn Company or watch their informative videos on YouTube.

Garden Room Oak Extension With Guest Room
Glazed Balcony In Gable End

What is Different About The Classic Barn Company?

The Classic Barn Company stands apart from other oak framing companies due to its rich history, unwavering values, and team of highly skilled experts. Founded over three decades ago, the company has honed its craft and developed innovative techniques that push the boundaries of traditional oak framing.

At the heart of The Classic Barn Company lies a deep commitment to sustainability. They source their oak from responsibly managed forests, ensuring that every project contributes to the preservation of our natural environment. Their team of master craftsmen, many of whom have been with the company for years, possess a wealth of knowledge and experience that is passed down through generations.

One of the company’s unique strengths is its ability to seamlessly blend traditional oak framing methods with modern design sensibilities. They understand that every client has unique needs and preferences, and they work closely with them to create bespoke structures that not only meet their functional requirements but also reflect their personal style and vision.

The Classic Barn Company’s innovative techniques and attention to detail set them apart from the competition. From intricate joinery to meticulous finishing touches, every aspect of their work is executed with precision and care. Their commitment to excellence is evident in the stunning oak framed structures they have created, each one a testament to their craftsmanship and dedication.

Who founded The Classic Barn Company?

Andrew Guppy is the founder and lead designer at The Classic Barn Company. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Andrew has established himself as a true authority in the field of oak framing.

His passion for this traditional building method began at a young age, and he has dedicated his career to mastering the intricate art of oak construction. Andrew’s extensive knowledge encompasses not only the technical aspects of oak framing but also the rich history and heritage behind this time-honoured craft.

Throughout his career, Andrew has been recognized by his peers and industry organisations for his exceptional work. His designs have won awards and been nominated to the prestigious ‘Built it’ awards. In addition his barns have been opened by Royals and are often recognised as flag ships in villages across the countryside and rural areas.

His deep understanding of oak’s unique properties and his ability to translate clients’ visions into reality have made him a sought-after authority in the industry.

 Garden Room Above With Balcony 

What sort of oak framed buildings do The Classic Barn Company build?

The Classic Barn Company is renowned for their expertise in constructing a wide range of. Their skilled craftsmen possess the ability to handle projects of varying sizes and complexity, showcasing the versatility of oak framing and the ability to combine habitable spaces such as guest accommodation.

One of their specialties is the construction of oak framed garages, both traditional standalone structures and those with additional living spaces above. These garages are not only functional but also exude a timeless charm that seamlessly blends with any property.

Beyond garages, The Classic Barn Company excels in the creation of stunning oak framed barns, stables, complexes, extensions and outbuildings.
The Classic Barn Company has an excellent video that showcases their craftsmanship and the oak framing process. The video takes you through the entire process of an architecturally led build, from the concrete being poured to a fully fitted interior. You can witness the skilled craftsmen carefully constructing different phases of the project and the attention to detail of each beautifully crafted aspect. You’ll see them expertly assembling the oak frame, with each piece precisely fitted together using intricate joinery methods, and the finished project in all it’s glory.

3 bay room above garage
4 bay room above garage
3 bay room above garage
Oak beams in garage
4 Bay room above garage
room above garage dormer
4 bay garage accommodation
Oak beams above garage
Room above garage

This is a paid for post, by The Classic Barn Company.


Latest posts

Seeds of change in Missenden gardens

Liz Nicholls

Home & Garden

Your garden might look bare right now but Missenden Seeds can help you plant a brighter future thanks to sustainable seeds & tubers, including dahlias

Missenden Seeds is a small, independent company run by enthusiastic local grower Carolyn. Summer might feel forever away but this month Carolyn is sowing sweet peas… “I love sweet peas,” she tells us. “I find they make stronger plants and flower earlier if I start them off in autumn. I’m also sowing lots of hardy annuals, biennials and perennials, things like calendula, poppies, astrantia, foxgloves, hollyhocks. As soon as we get the first frost I’ll dig up and store all the dahlia tubers, which is a lot of work but with our heavy clay soil I can’t leave them in over winter.

Carolyn is passionate about perennials, biennials and annuals which make beautiful cut flowers and good for pollinators. “We believe growing flowers should be simple and sustainable. All the seeds and tubers we stock are grown by us, we don’t import or repackage seeds or dahlia tubers. We also only stock open-pollinated varieties from which you can save seed year after year – no F1 varieties here!”

On a small site in the village, Missenden Seeds uses no chemicals and is peat free. “As the seeds are open-pollinated there is always the chance that the odd seedling may not appear exactly the same as its parent, but may be something even lovelier. Some can produce beautiful variations – particularly in the case of dahlia seeds where every plant you grow will be different to its parent and totally unique.

“I’ve lived in Great Missenden for many years and my children all go to school locally. I feel very lucky to live somewhere with such beautiful countryside on the doorstep and such a great range of local shops and places to eat.

“It’s hard to choose my favourite flower but if I had to pick just one thing to grow it would be dahlias. There’s a dahlia for every situation, they flower for months until the first frost and come in such a range of colours, forms and sizes. My favourite this year has been Labyrinth, a striking large decorative variety in pink and peach.”

Claim a 10% discount with Carolyn’s code, BLOOM at Missenden Seeds. Also follow @missendenseeds on Instagram for news.


Latest posts

Beautiful, bespoke lampshades made in Bucks

Liz Nicholls

Home & Garden

Tracy Watson has turned her creative hand to a range of beautiful lampshades. Check them out at Peterley Christmas Market, 14th to 17th November

Looking to light up your life!? Wife & Mum Tracy Watson, who lives in Great Kingshill, has had the same bright idea.. And we’re thrilled to share the results as we enter the darkest months of the year.

Blue Boy Furniture is named after Tracy’s beloved little boy Charlie, who passed away when he was five and forever remains her ‘little blue boy’. Using her grief as a spark for creativity, Tracy has spent the past five years refreshing stylish homes across Bucks & beyond. This year she began making lampshades and fixtures from cotton and linen fabrics – often limited-edition remnants – ensuring individuality and style.

Tracy says: “I came up with the idea when I needed a new lampshade for my own home, and could only find white or grey in main high street stores. I wanted something which would add an injection of pattern and colour to the room, without a full-on maximalist look.

“Our stock is continuously evolving, but if you can’t see something that catches your eye, or have a traditional frame you would like recovering, please get in touch and let’s talk about a commission for you!”

Suitable for both ceiling fixtures and lamp bases, Tracy’s handmade lampshades are fire-retardant and compatible with bulbs up to 40 watts. Tracy has been painting furniture and crafting home decor items since she bought her first house in the 1990s. Inspired by upcycling programmes she began painting and refurbishing the quality vintage furniture finds.

“Blue Boy Furniture has mushroomed,” says Tracy. “I begam painting furniture for resale, quickly progressing into refurbishing customers’ own furniture. Having a piece of your own furniture painted can turn it from dull, drab and unfitting in your home into a stunning, unique statement piece you love.”

Tracy’s painting has expanded to kitchen cabinets and built-in wardrobes too. She says: “I’m painting kitchens for customers who want to refresh their homes without the expense and inconvenience of installing new cabinets” Tracy stocks a range of paints online and offers training videos.

Visit Blue Boy Furniture | Painting and Upcycling Home Furniture & follow blueboyfurniture on Instagram for more info to get in touch.


Latest posts

Plot luck: fancy growing your own?

Liz Nicholls

Home & Garden

Ken Wood of Wildmoor Allotment Association tells us all about the fruitful pleasures & benefits of growing your own

There are many differences between picking your fruit and veg off a supermarket shelf and harvesting from your own plot. In favour of “grow your own” are things like the pride of self-sufficiency to the knowledge of fresh, organic, nutrient-rich food that your hand has nurtured… Plus the ability to grow varieties you cannot buy!

There are also many mental health and wellbeing benefits to working a small allotment plot. These include being outdoors in nature, peace and quiet, having a sense of purpose and meaning, plus a little bit of exercise. You can keep yourself to yourself or, to build your skills and knowledge, ask for advice from one of the ‘old hands’. If you’ve extra time on your hands you may like to volunteer for a committee role that helps to ensure the overall site is maintained. It is not just for adults, take your kids along and let them learn with you! If you want further inspiration, watch the Olivia Colman film, Grow Your Own or tune into YouTube and watch one of many tutorial channels of Huw Richard, Charles Dowding, or the GrowVeg Channel with Dan (my favourite).

I have just started my third year on Wildmoor Allotments, so I’m still learning. I am doing OK with staples such as potatoes, onions, garlic, leeks, carrots, rhubarb, and my fruit bushes are producing abundantly: blackcurrants, blueberries, goji berries, raspberries, gooseberries and the like. However, I do keep my herbs and salad crop in our garden at home for freshness and convenience. This year I had my first delicious crop of asparagus, fennel, and celeriac. But I have never tasted anything so sweet and delicious as my freshly picked ripe sweetcorn.

We have folk from many ethnic and cultural backgrounds on our site. It is amazing to see what they grow – stuff I have never seen in the shops in town. I’ve twinned my plot with a small farm in Kenya through an organisation called The Ripple Effect (Ripple Effect). For them, such skills are a matter of survival not just a pastime hobby.

Like me, many in Abingdon have taken the step to owning an allotment to grow organic fresh veg. To be successful you do need to put some time in, on average eight hours a week in two or three sessions. Most plots come with a shed, inherited from the previous occupant.

There are three Allotment Associations that serve the Ox14 area; Drayton Road, Marcham Road and Wildmoor (along Long Tow). The town council kindly provides the land which is divided up into plots: single and double. Renting a plot varies marginally between associations in Abingdon but the max is £26 per year for a full plot and £20 for a half plot. There is a waiting list but if you applied now, you could be starting your own ‘grow your own’ journey much sooner than you think.

If you’re interested contact one of the associations, look around and even take the step to becoming an Abingdon allotmenteer.


Latest posts

Autumn glow

Round & About

Home & Garden

As we change seasons there’s a new palette of colours and array of nature to greet us

October. Mellow warm colours; russet leaves, orange pumpkins and an early golden hour before sunset. Maybe a first fire. Change of clothes as summer’s departure can no longer be denied. Gloves for early morning nippy fingers. Warm food, switch from herbs to spices. Sweet treats (not tricks) please!

Redwings may start to arrive from colder climes. It’s difficult on frosty mornings to image that there are places much colder than home but birds know. Sometimes they visit the garden. I wonder if they will stay further north as the global temperatures become less cold.

The more I connect with the natural world, the more I cycle back to concern about the environment. Birds understand weather and climate change. Their collective numbers and behaviours can teach us too.

Our generic seagull, the Herring Gull is red listed for conservation concern due to population decline. UK waters and coastlines support up to 60% of all North Atlantic populations of this species. They may seem common on our seaside visits but the truth is that they are struggling. The combined effect of climate change and bird flu is probably to blame.

The age of the internet means that we are not short of facts on any matter of our choosing. The United Nations seemed like a good starting point from my google search, but even that climate-based information is heavy on what is happening and even how it is happening. Very little analysis is published on the why. Surely lasting change can only come from understanding and acting on why?

What hope of system change for an individual anyway? I am easily paralysed by information overload and default to doing nothing if I don’t know what the right thing to do is. The UN has a helpful app if that’s your thing (or you could share it if not), called ACT NOW with suggestions of steps we can all take.

Patrick Grant’s book “Less” is also an interesting read/listen. A perfect opportunity to curl up on an old comfy chair, dig out your fluffy (woollen, locally made) socks!

Helen Grimbleby is a West Berks/North Hants based artist who is inspired by the natural world’s changing seasons. After exploring outside, she enjoys writing, illustrating and painting larger landscapes at her home studio (@helengrimblebyart).


Latest posts

For Your Tomorrow at Stowe Gardens

Liz Nicholls

Home & Garden

Stowe Gardens is the UK’s official host for the British D-Day 80 memorial exhibition For Your Tomorrow. You could help by volunteering.

A memorial installation to soldiers killed in the D Day landing on 6th June 1944 is heading to Stowe, the UK’s official host of the commemoration, for exhibition in October.

Open to the public from 1st October to 11th November, the large-scale art installation consists of 1,475 silhouettes of Second World War military personnel.

For Your Tomorrowthe People’s Tribute was created by community artist, Dan Barton with the number of figures in the display representing the number of fatalities under British command on 6th June 1944. The work is currently installed at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-mer, France where it will remain over the summer before coming to Stowe.

Tanya Brittain, general manager of the National Trust gardens at Stowe says: “It’s an honour to be chosen as the official UK host location for the British D-Day 80 memorial exhibition, For Your Tomorrow – the People’s Tribute.

“This September will be opportunity to remember family, friends and colleagues lost in conflict situations over the past 80 years. Stowe has a rich military history and we look forward to welcoming visitors this autumn to experience this poignant outdoor art installation against the stunning backdrop of the Stowe’s historic Landscape Gardens.

“The 18th-century landscape garden at Stowe is well known for its many historic buildings and statues and has also featured in many well-known films and TV series. The Capability Brown designed landscape is renowned for its precise placement of eye-catching monuments to create the picture-perfect view. Its beautiful avenues, temples and lakes will provide an impressive outdoor gallery space and backdrop for this celebrated artwork.”

The silhouettes are designed to represent the military personnel from all major services but in addition, two bespoke figures of nurses have been included. They are of Sister Mollie Evershed and Sister Dorothy Field who died while helping to save 75 men from the hospital ship SS Amsterdam which sank off the Normandy beaches on 7th August 1944.

Both were given posthumous commendation for their actions and are the only two women commemorated on the British Normandy Memorial.

Artist Dan Barton has delivered several impactful military-based displays since founding Oxfordshire-based charity Standing with Giants. The life-size figures are constructed entirely by volunteers, using recycled building materials and create meaningful spaces for people to visit and reflect.

“Our ethos at Standing with Giants is to value life, to understand and appreciate why we have our freedom, and to remember and pay tribute to those who have fallen so we can live the lives we have today. Using outdoor art is a great way to do this.” Said Standing with Giants Founder, Dan Barton.

A small section of the installation was seen at Stowe last year when 200 of the silhouettes were displayed at before joining the rest of the figures in Normandy for the D-Day 80 commemorations in June this year. September will be the first time the full size installation has been seen in the UK.

The full installation weighs in excess of 30 tonnes and will take around 15 days to set-up with the help of 30 volunteers each day. The Trust is looking for people to be involved – if you would like to get involved as a volunteer contact [email protected]


Latest posts

Get cosy with seasonal interior ideas!

Liz Nicholls

Home & Garden

As summer draws to a close, the world of interior design embraces a shift toward spaces that are not only stylish but also profoundly reflective of personal taste. This season’s trends are about creating environments that stand out while providing comfort and a sense of individuality.

From luxurious textures to nature-inspired tones, here are the top trends to make your home a sanctuary of style and personality.

Luxurious textures: deep jewel tones

Deep jewel tones are the hallmark of the next season’s decor, brining a rich and sophisticated colour palette into your home. These bold hues – ruby red, sapphire blue, and emerald green – are not confined to small accents but are embraced in larger, more impactful ways.

Whether it’s a plush sofa, an upholstered chair, or even a statement rug, these vibrant colours add a touch of elegance and warmth to any space. The intensity of jewel tones creates a striking contrast that elevates your decor, making it both inviting and opulent.

Natural materials: wood beyond the basics

Wood is making a solid statement in Fall 2024 decor with its timeless appeal. This season focuses on high-quality, beautifully crafted wooden pieces that add warmth and a sense of wellbeing to your home.

Whether a handcrafted dining table that becomes the heart of your home or a sleek wooden side table, these elements bring enduring elegance and character to your space. Far from being mundane, these wooden pieces are designed to stand out, offering both style and durability.

They’re not just furniture but investments in your home’s aesthetic and comfort.

Warm embrace: earthy tones

Earthy tones are taking centre stage this season, bringing the warmth and tranquillity of nature into your home. Inspired by the rich palette of the outdoors, shades like deep terracotta, rich browns, muted greens and warm ochres create a cozy, grounding atmosphere perfect for the fall season.

Imagine a living room bathed in a soft clay tone, enhanced by a warm nude velvet bench and a deep red marble coffee table – together, they craft a serene and sophisticated space.

Sculptural pieces: art meets functionality

Sculptural furniture and decor are all about bold, artistic shapes that double as functional pieces. This trend brings in items like totem sculptures and furniture with striking, unconventional forms, turning everyday objects into statement pieces that define the room’s character.

These sculptural elements add a layer of sophistication and intrigue to your space, blending art with utility. Whether it’s a bold dining table with sweeping curves or a dramatic lamp, these pieces transform your home into a gallery of modern design.

Made for you: personalised & unique pieces

Personalisation is mandatory this fall, with a strong trend toward unique, one-of-a-kind pieces that reflect your style. Whether it’s an antique mirror, a handwoven rug, or a bespoke piece of art, incorporating these items into your decor adds a layer of personal storytelling to your home.

Custom-built furniture tailored to your space is the perfect way to embrace this trend. A bespoke piece doesn’t just fit perfectly. It also is a testament to your taste, making your home truly yours. These personalised touches create a space as unique as you are, filled with items that carry meaning and tell your story.

Textured designs

Textured rugs add depth and visual interest to any interior space. The interplay of materials, shapes, and colours creates a visually dynamic surface and a tactile experience that enhances comfort.

Geometric shapes and varied pile heights, such as high-low designs, bring a sculptural quality to the rug, while cut and loop pile combinations add intricate patterns and subtle dimensions. Embossed or carved patterns elevate the aesthetic appeal by giving the rug a captivating three-dimensional effect.

These elements work together to create a harmonious blend of style and warmth, making textured rugs perfect for creating cosy, inviting spaces rich in character and design.

HOUSE OF HOMMÉS is the home of three bold and unique design brands that share the same vision – to deliver essential designer furniture, bold decor objects, luxe pet accessories, and stylish rugs for ultra-modern interiors, paying particular attention to how they fit in the same space. Shop at hommes.studio


Latest posts

Everything is lovely!

Karen Neville

Home & Garden

Browse and shop at The Lovely Vintage and Antiques Fair this autumn and find heirlooms and treasures galore

With autumn creeping in, the new season brings with it new thrills. The Lovely Vintage and Antiques Fair opens its doors for the first time at the River & Rowing Museum on October 5th. As the name suggests this fair is set to have a carefully curated collection of gorgeous vintage and antique wares from expert dealers around the country.

The stunning Thames Room with its floor to ceiling windows has stunning views of the River and Mill Meadows and makes the perfect backdrop for you to browse and be inspired by sustainable shopping particularly with Christmas around the corner.

Expect all sorts from our 20 dealers taking part with selection of art, ceramics, textiles, clothing, jewellery, household items, curiosities and ephemera and much more. Every era is covered From Regency to mid-century. There is a splash of brocante and a dash of rustic. Everything will of course be lovely!

Hosted by local vintage dealer Joanna Dickinson of Henley who during the pandemic supported the vintage community with social media marketing when all fairs and markets were forced to close. It was during this time that many dealers banded together on Instagram and took to virtual selling which was a huge hit!

Once life settled back down, Jo realised being a vintage dealer was a natural progression and opened an Etsy store called Jojo Jam Jar Vintage. The community have remained firm friends since and are always kind and helpful to each other.

Jo says: “All my friends who do the fairs up and down the country have the most stunning wares for sales. It seemed unfair to keep these treasures all to myself. I’m delighted to show off the best vintage with our town.

“The River and Rowing Museum is the perfect venue with its architecture and facilities. To avoid disappointment, arrive early as things do sell out quickly. Nothing is as unique and special as a treasured heirloom and the thrill of finding an old piece and giving it a new forever home really is lovely!”

The Fair is open 10am to 4pm. The museum has parking on site and nearby and you can walk into Henley in a matter of minutes. There also is a large café with indoor and outdoor seating. A newly constructed play park was installed in the summer to help lively kids burn off some energy if you need to entertain little ones.

For more details visit our Instagram and Facebook.


Latest posts

Pond Contemplation

Round & About

Home & Garden

My pond gives an added dimension to the garden and an opportunity to encourage diverse wildlife and a whole new range of plants. Someone once said to me “A garden without a pond is like a theatre without a stage”

Where to start

It is not as simple as digging a hole but that’s a good place to start! Find a suitable spot in the garden and plan one in scale with the rest of the site. Ideally avoid a rigid liner and instead go for a flexible liner which will mould to the hole you have dug. It’s important to have a deep area and a shallow beach area and place it where you can enjoy it.

Sculpt the pond

Ensure there is a deep area in the middle or at one side. When we did ours the patio flanks the deep area, this should be around three feet for deep water aquatics and over wintering plants, fish and wildlife. From the deep area there is a gentle slope in case our residential hedgehogs fall in and a shelf around the edge for marginal plants. It’s important to do all this before you fill your pond with water.

Line the pond

Use and underlay, carpet, newspaper and anything else to prevent the butyl or pvc liner getting damaged. Also ensure the size of the liner allows for the depth of the pond too. Spread over and fold as you fill with water, it helps to get in a this point. The water will pull the liner into place and make sure there is an overlap.

Plant your pond

After adding a product to neutralise all the nasties in tapwater you can plant. It’s important to edge the pond with stones, cobbles, gravel and plant amongst these. Here you can use perennials, ferns and small woody plants. Place your oxygenators into water, plant deep water aquatics like water lilies in the deepest part and add marginals on the shelf around the edge. You can also add floating aquatics like water soldiers and frogbit. It’s essential to have the range of plants for example without marginals the dragonfly larvae can’t get out of the water and shading of the surface is essential from the deep water aquatics and floaters.

Fish and Wildlife

You have to decide whether you want fish and the wildlife will come. Often newt eggs and snails come with the plants. Flying insects are drawn to the water like pond skaters, damselflies and dragonflies. Try to let the pond balance itself. If you have a range of plants to cover the surface this will happen and don’t be put off by the water going green or murky it’s a natural process.

Enjoy your pond

There is lots of learn so read up about it or visit my gardening school for some inspiration. As well as looking after the pond it’s important just to sit, gaze and contemplate.


Latest posts

Become a nature sleuth with SWT

Karen Neville

Home & Garden

Image by: Danny Green

Get a free Wildlife Recording Kit and monitor local green spaces

Want to know what wildlife might be making its home on ground you own, manage or work on with a community group?

Help is at hand thanks to Surrey Wildlife Trust’s new Wildlife Recording Kits – boxes filled with surveying equipment to help community groups undertake species monitoring on sites from gardens and recreation grounds to local woodland.

The kits are available free of charge from Guildford and Godalming Libraries and directly from the Trust’s head office in Pirbright, and can be reserved for one or two weeks at a time.

Image by: Jon Hawkins

With one-third of local species in trouble, Surrey Wildlife Trust is on a mission to encourage more people to take action to protect and provide homes for native plants and animals – and these kits will help people identify what wildlife, from minibeasts to moths to small mammals, is present, enabling them to make better informed land management decisions to benefit nature. Actions could include putting up signage to encourage people not to walk on wildflowers, installing bird feeders filled with suitable food for a particular species, installing bat boxes, planting hedgerows to support butterflies and moths or creating ponds for newts.

The Trust currently has the following equipment available:

• Bat kit including high-viz jackets for working at night, a bat detector and call frequency guide.

• Pond kit including nets, trays for specimens and identification guides for a range of species.

• Minibeasts kit including magnifying pots, equipment for handling specimens and ID guides.

• Small mammals kit including footprint tunnels and plates, feeding kit and ‘tracks and signs’ ID guide.

• Soil kit with a corer and tester kit to establish soil chemistry.

• Plant kit including quadrats, magnifiers and ID guides for a huge range of local native flora.

• For those with a cinematic bent, a trail camera kit is also available. This can be set up to record badgers, foxes, hedgehogs, birds, mice and other creatures that might visit when you are not present.

Once people have completed their surveys, the Trust is encouraging users to report their findings to the Surrey Biodiversity Information Centre (SBIC) to help it gain important information on the distribution and abundance of species and habitats across the county.

SWT’s Community Engagement Manager Claire Harris says: “You don’t have to be a professional to contribute to science and conversation. SWT is proud to work with a broad range of community organisations across the county, but we want even more people to get involved in mapping, understanding and restoring the natural world. It’s great the local Libraries of Things are working with us to help people find out more about what lives on their doorsteps. If we all play our part, we can open minds, transform local areas and ultimately create a much wilder environment for everyone to enjoy.”

More information about how to book kit, and the equipment hire agreement is at Wildlife Recording Kits | Surrey Wildlife Trust

SWT also runs courses that enable people to learn more about species and habitats in Surrey. Any adult can register to attend here. The Trust also offers a limited number of FREE places to Surrey-based community groups, who are signed up to its Wilder Communities programme.


Latest posts