+44 7480 56989007834 619294millponddevelopments@gmail.com Cheltenham · GL51 3JTMon – Fri · 9am – 5pm AboutServices Areas Our WorkContact+44 7480 569890Request Quote Turfing & Artificial Grass · Cheltenham & the Cotswolds # Turfing & Artificial GrassA lawn that performsfrom the day it's laid. Real cultivated turf or premium-spec artificial grass, installed on a properly levelled, drained and prepared base. The lawn is only ever as good as what's underneath - and what's underneath is where we spend the majority of the install. Request Free Quote +44 7480 569890 Suppliers include Rolawn, Lazy Lawn and Namgrass. Sub-base laid to fall, drainage tested before turf or grass goes down. - - Services - Turfing & Artificial Grass 15+ Years experience 400+ Projects completed 5 yr Workmanship guarantee Fully insured Fully insured Free Response time Overview ## What turfing & artificial grass actually involves - and when it's the right call. ### What it is Lawn installation - real or artificial - is a two-stage job: base preparation (excavation, levelling, sub-base, drainage if required) and surface install (cultivated turf rolls or artificial grass with shock-pad, base layer and sand-infill where specified). Quality of base determines lawn longevity. ### Who it's for Homeowners with patchy, waterlogged or moss-dominant existing lawns, new-build properties needing a first lawn over poor builder's topsoil, dog-owners needing a hard-wearing, drainable surface, and busy households (or holiday lets) wanting zero-maintenance year-round green. ### When it's needed Real turf: best laid March–May or September–October when ground is workable and rain establishes the lawn. Artificial: any time of year except hard frost. Replacing failed lawns ideally within the season after the problem appears - water-damaged turf does not recover. ### Why professional installation matters Most failed lawns trace to base failure. Builder's topsoil at 50mm depth, compacted clay subsoil, no drainage falls and no aeration produce sour, moss-prone, dying lawns within 18 months. Professional installation means proper subsoil treatment, 150mm of correctly graded topsoil for real turf, or correctly compacted MOT Type 1 and Type 3 base for artificial. The cost of getting it wrong ## What happens when this job is delayed - or done badly. Lawn installations fail predictably - and almost always within 12–24 months when the base is wrong. For real turf, the issue is subsoil and topsoil. For artificial, it's sub-base depth and drainage. Both are invisible failures once the green is down. ### Waterlogged real turf - root rot and moss Without 150mm of free-draining topsoil and an aerated subsoil, water sits at the root zone. Grass roots cannot respire, the lawn yellows, moss takes over within one winter. ### Wrinkled, lifting artificial grass Inadequate sub-base compaction allows the grass to ripple and lift at seams. Heat-bonded seams open, edges curl, and the lawn looks 'wrong' within a year. ### Pet-related odour on artificial grass Without antimicrobial infill and a properly drained base, dog urine soaks into the base layer and bacterial growth produces persistent ammonia odour. Removed only by full lift and base replacement. ### Common mistakes we see on rescue jobs - Laying turf directly onto unprepared clay - guaranteed moss within 12 months. - Skipping the sub-base under artificial grass to save cost - wrinkles, ripples, seam-failure inside a year. - Using cheap unbranded grass (90% imported budget product) - UV degrades the fibres in 2–3 summers, fade and matting follow. - Inadequate drainage falls - water pools, freezes, lifts the surface. - Joining seams with single-sided tape instead of double-sided seaming tape and grass adhesive - seams open in 12 months. - Skipping sand or rubber infill on artificial grass - fibres lay flat, the lawn looks worn from day one. The Millpond Process ## A defined, documented process from first visit to handover. - 01 ### Site assessment Test existing soil structure, drainage, light levels and use. Honest recommendation: real turf, artificial, or a mix - based on conditions and use case, not what we want to sell. - 02 ### Excavation & base prep Real turf: rotovate subsoil, import 100–150mm graded topsoil, screed level. Artificial: excavate to 100–150mm, MOT Type 1 sub-base in 75mm layers, fully compacted. - 03 ### Drainage & edges Falls confirmed (1:80 minimum), perimeter edging installed (timber, brick, metal or stone), drainage outfall confirmed for vehicle-area artificial grass. - 04 ### Install Real turf: laid in staggered rows, butt joints, rolled in. Artificial: shock-pad (if specified), grass rolled with grain consistent, seams glued and bonded, infill brushed in. - 05 ### Aftercare & handover Real turf: 2-week watering schedule provided, first cut after 10–14 days. Artificial: lawn brushed up, care guide and 5-year workmanship guarantee. What you actually get ## Specific, measurable outcomes - not promises. ### Performs from day one Real turf is usable for light foot traffic within 2 weeks. Artificial grass is usable immediately. ### Drains in heavy rain Properly designed base means no puddles after Cotswold rainfall - a problem most existing lawns have. ### Dog-friendly artificial grass options Antimicrobial infill and free-draining base prevent odour and bacterial buildup. ### 8–15 year artificial lifespan Premium grass (Lazy Lawn, Namgrass equivalents) with correct base lasts 12–15 years before fibre wear becomes visible. ### Lower long-term cost for artificial Versus a real lawn requiring mowing 25 weeks per year, scarifying, feeding and watering, artificial pays back inside 6–8 years. ### Suitable for shaded or sloped sites Where real turf would struggle (deep shade, north-facing, sloped) artificial gives a usable, even-coloured surface year-round. Materials, methods & variations ## Everything you should know before commissioning the work. The choice between real turf and artificial grass - and the spec within each - should be use-led, not aesthetic-led. The notes below cover the variables that determine 15-year vs 3-year lawn performance. ### Real turf - topsoil and subsoil Cultivated turf needs 100–150mm of well-structured topsoil with a pH of 6.0–7.0. Builder's topsoil is rarely either. We test, amend or replace as needed, and rotovate the subsoil to break compaction before topsoil placement. ### Real turf - variety selection Hard-wearing rye-fescue blends (e.g. Rolawn Medallion) for family lawns. Ornamental fescues for show lawns. Shade-tolerant blends for north-facing or tree-shaded sites. Sourced from a single batch for colour consistency. ### Artificial - pile, density and weight Pile height 30–45mm for residential lawns (shorter for sports, longer for show), face weight 2000–3000 g/m², density 16,000+ stitches/m². Below these specs is budget product that fades and mats. ### Artificial - base construction 100mm MOT Type 1 sub-base for foot traffic, 150mm for areas with frequent dog use or pet weight. Granite dust (Grano) blinding layer 20–25mm laid to fall. Geotextile separation membrane between sub-base and grass. ### Drainage and infill Properly fallen base (1:80 minimum) handles 50mm/hr rainfall. Sand infill (kiln-dried silica) stabilises pile and adds ballast. Antimicrobial infill (e.g. ZeoFill) for dog-use areas eliminates odour at source. ### Edges and seams Timber, metal, brick or stone perimeter restraint prevents grass lifting. Seams glued with two-component PU adhesive on seaming tape - never single-sided tape. Pile direction consistent across seams or the seam will always show. Questions answered ## The questions homeowners actually ask before they book. Still unsure? Call +44 7480 569890 and speak with the team direct - no call centre, no scripts. How much does artificial grass cost in Cheltenham?+Lawn installations are priced individually based on size, base preparation needed and material choice. Free on-site survey, fixed written quote. How much does real turf cost?+Lawn installations are priced individually based on size, base preparation needed and material choice. Free on-site survey, fixed written quote. How long before I can use the lawn?+Artificial grass: immediately. Real turf: 10–14 days for light foot traffic, 3–4 weeks for full use including children and dogs. Does artificial grass get hot in summer?+Premium quality grass with proper ventilation under-side runs 5–10°C above ambient - noticeably warmer than natural grass but not unsafe. Avoid south-facing south-facing dark-coloured cheap grass which can run 20°C+ above ambient. Is artificial grass dog-safe?+Yes - with the right spec. Antimicrobial infill, free-draining base, and a urine-resistant backing eliminate odour and bacterial buildup. Standard residential grass with sand infill is fine for occasional dog use; full pet spec is recommended for multiple-dog households. Will real turf survive my dogs?+Honestly, often not. Single dog on a 80m²+ lawn - manageable with patch repair. Multiple dogs or smaller lawns - artificial is the more honest recommendation. We'll tell you straight rather than sell turf that will fail in 6 months. What about Cotswold winters and frost?+Real turf goes dormant but survives unharmed. Artificial grass is unaffected by frost and snow - clears as soon as temperatures rise. Neither is damaged by Cotswold winter conditions in correctly installed bases. How long does artificial grass last?+Premium grass with correct base: 12–15 years before fibre wear is visible. Budget grass: 3–5 years. The cost difference at install is small; the cost difference at replacement is total. Can you remove my old lawn?+Yes - excavation, removal and waste disposal under our Waste Carrier Licence are included in every quote. Old artificial grass is typically not recyclable but is disposed of legally. ### Related services - Landscaping - Fencing - Porcelain Paving - Excavation ### Service areas - Cheltenham - Gloucester - Tewkesbury - Stroud - Cirencester - Bishop's Cleeve - Winchcombe - Evesham - PershoreBack to homepage · Contact us A preview of our work ## Recent projects across the Cotswolds. View full portfolio Previous slideNext slide ## Get a fixed-price quote you can actually trust. On-site survey, accurate measurements, written specification, itemised pricing and a firm start date. No subcontracted estimators, no pressure, no surprise add-ons mid-build. Request Your Free Quote +44 7480 569890 Free on-site survey, free written quote Premium driveways, paving and landscaping built to last across Cheltenham and the wider Cotswolds. Checkatrade Member - ### Services Landscaping - Porcelain Paving - Block Paving - Resin Bound Surfaces - Natural Stone Paving - Fencing - Turfing & Artificial Grass - Excavation - Driveways ### Areas - Cheltenham - Gloucester - Tewkesbury - Stroud - Cirencester - Bishop's Cleeve - Winchcombe - Evesham - Pershore ### Contact - 27 Caenarvon RoadCheltenhamGL51 3JT - +44 7480 56989007834 619294 - millponddevelopments@gmail.com ### Opening Hours - Monday9:00 am – 5:00 pm - Tuesday9:00 am – 5:00 pm - Wednesday9:00 am – 5:00 pm - Thursday9:00 am – 5:00 pm - Friday9:00 am – 5:00 pm - SaturdayClosed - SundayClosed © 2026 Millpond Developments. All rights reserved. PrivacyCookiesRequest a quote+44 7480 56989007834 619294 Call NowGet Free Quote We use essential cookies to run this site, and optional ones only with your consent. Cookie policy. AcceptReject