Brotton homes and gardens
Brotton was "Broctune" in medieval records, meaning a farm by a brook. It is in the Domesday Book and was one of the manors William the Conqueror granted to Robert de Brus, Lord of Skelton. Above the village, Warsett Hill tops Huntcliffe, where the Romans built one of their coastal signal stations. The discovery of ironstone in the 19th century brought rapid growth, and the A174 bypass, opened in stages between 1998 and 2001, now takes through traffic around the village.
The Brotton ward's 2021 Census figures show a village of semis and terraces: 43.1% semi-detached, 35.0% terraced and 18.8% detached, with very few flats at 1.8%. The terraces are largely from the mining era; the semis and detached homes come from estates built through the 20th century and since.
Terraced gardens tend to be compact yards with brick walls. Semis and newer homes have medium-sized rear gardens, and on the edge of the village some back onto fields with open views. Owners often want shelter as much as space: a patio tucked against the house with a low wall to break the wind is a common idea in a place this exposed.
Brotton's mining terraces were built quickly and cheaply, and many back yards were surfaced in whatever was to hand: concrete, ash, brick or flags. When we lift them, it is common to find old drains, coal-house bases or buried brick footings. We allow for that in the plan and deal with anything we find before the new base goes in, so the patio does not end up sitting on a weak spot. On the newer estates, the builder's original patio was often a single row of slabs; owners usually want to double or treble the depth so a table and chairs fit comfortably.
Ground and exposure
The British Geological Survey maps Brotton on glacial till over sandstone, siltstone and mudstone of the Saltwick and Cloughton Formations. The till is a stony clay that holds water, so a well-built base matters. We dig out topsoil and any soft clay, use a geotextile, compact a crushed-stone sub-base and lay the patio with a fall away from the house.
The Environment Agency does not show Flood Zone 3 within 750 metres of the centre, but clay ground means rain soaks away slowly. Where a garden collects water, we add a channel drain or soakaway.
Brotton's height and closeness to the coast bring wind, driving rain and salt in the air. Slabs need to be well bedded so wind cannot get under loose edges, joints should be firm rather than loose sand, and low walls built to shelter a seating area need proper footings. Denser stones and porcelain cope with the weather better than soft, porous types.
Brotton conservation area
Brotton has a small conservation area around the historic core, and eight listed buildings and structures, including Brotton Hall, Brotton House with its gates, railings and coach house, and the Church of St Margaret of Antioch.
For most homes, a ground-level back-garden patio is permitted development, inside or outside the conservation area. Front-garden paving over five square metres must be permeable or drain to a soft area, and changes to front walls in the conservation area can need consent. Owners of listed properties should check with the council first. We flag anything that needs checking at the visit.
What affects cost here
We give a quote after a visit. In Brotton the price mostly depends on:
- Size. Semis and detached homes suit larger patios.
- Clay. Soft spots need digging out.
- Walls. Low walls for shelter or level changes.
- Drainage. Channel drains or soakaways on wet gardens.
- Material. Concrete slabs, sandstone or porcelain.
- Access. Terraces may need materials carried through.
Places next to Brotton
- Skelton patio page: West: the neighbouring market town on a shelf below the hills.
- Loftus patio page: South-east: a market town on the edge of the North York Moors.
- Saltburn-by-the-Sea patio page: North-west: the Victorian seaside town.
Pages Brotton owners tend to read: patio slabs and paving, garden walls, indian sandstone patios.
All places we cover: areas page.
Asked about patios in Brotton
Our garden is very exposed. Can a patio be made more sheltered?
Yes. A low wall or raised bed on the windward side, set on proper footings, makes a seating area far more usable.
Is the clay in Brotton a problem for patios?
Only if the base is too thin. A compacted stone sub-base with a membrane keeps the patio stable on clay.
Do I need planning permission in the Brotton conservation area?
Not normally for a ground-level patio at the back of the house. Front garden paving and listed buildings need checking.
Which materials suit the coastal weather?
Dense sandstone, porcelain and good concrete slabs with firm joints stand up well to wind, rain and salt.
Sources: ONS Census 2021 TS044, Brotton ward (Nomis); Wikipedia: Brotton; Planning Data: conservation areas; Planning Data: listed buildings; BGS Geology Viewer; Environment Agency Flood Map for Planning.