Should You Fence Your Front Garden or Leave It Open?

A Question Worth Thinking About Before You Decide

Front gardens divide opinion. Some homeowners prefer the open, sociable look that blends with neighbouring properties. Others want a clear boundary, a bit of privacy as they arrive home, and somewhere to park without strangers cutting across the grass. Neither choice is wrong, but it is worth thinking through the practical and planning implications before you commit.

In Cambridge and the surrounding villages, front gardens vary enormously - terraced Victorian and Edwardian houses with tiny forecourts, post-war semis with lawns that run directly to the pavement, and newer builds on the outskirts with larger plots. The right fencing decision depends on your property type, your street, and what you actually need from the space.

What Planning Permission Rules Actually Say

In England, you can build a front boundary fence without planning permission as long as it is no more than 1 metre high where it is next to a highway used by vehicles, including its footpath. Away from the highway, the limit rises to 2 metres. If you live in a conservation area, next to a listed building, or your property is subject to an Article 4 direction, permitted development rights may be removed and you would need to apply for permission before doing anything.

Cambridge has a number of conservation areas where these restrictions apply, so it is always worth checking with the local planning authority before installation begins. You can find the national guidance on the Planning Portal fence and gate page before speaking to us.

The Real Case for Fencing Your Front Garden

A front fence does several things that an open garden simply cannot. It gives you a defined boundary so there is no ambiguity about where your property ends. It discourages people from cutting across your garden, which matters if you have planted borders or laid block paving. And for families with young children or dogs, even a modest timber close-board fence with a self-closing gate creates a useful safety barrier.

Security is often the deciding factor for homeowners in busier parts of Cambridge where terraced streets see a lot of foot traffic. A well-fitted fence and gate does not need to be fortress-like to act as a deterrent. It simply makes your property feel less accessible. You can read more about the options on our new fence installation page.

• Boundary clarity: removes doubt about where your land ends, useful before any driveway or landscaping work.
• Child and pet safety: a gated enclosure keeps small children and dogs within the plot.
• Deterrent effect: a defined boundary with a latching gate adds a small but meaningful friction for opportunistic behaviour.
• Kerb appeal: a neat timber picket or metal fence can add visual structure and make the front of a property look more considered.

The Case for Keeping It Open

Open-plan front gardens are popular on many estates around Cambridge and in villages like Great Shelford and Histon where the street scene has a consistent, unfenced character. Removing a boundary can make a small garden feel bigger, give passing light and air to low-maintenance planting, and maintain the visual flow of the street.

There are also practical reasons. If you have a dropped kerb and a driveway, you may need vehicles to reverse out with a clear sightline, and a fence that obscures that view is both inconvenient and potentially dangerous. In those cases, low or open-style fencing - a timber picket at around 600 to 900mm, for example - can mark the boundary without blocking visibility.

Choosing the Right Style and Material

Timber remains the most popular choice for front garden fencing because it is versatile and relatively affordable. Sawn timber picket fencing typically costs somewhere in the range of £80 to £180 per metre installed in the UK, though prices vary with timber grade, post depth, and site conditions. Painted or pressure-treated timber handles the variable Cambridge weather reasonably well, though exposed east-facing plots - which catch cold easterly winds off the Fens in winter - do need a treatment-grade timber or a painted finish that is properly maintained.

Metal railings suit period properties and conservation-area houses where timber close-board would look out of place. Composite materials are also worth considering if you want something low maintenance. Whatever you choose, the gate matters as much as the fence. A well-hung, properly latching gate makes the whole boundary feel finished. Take a look at our gate installation service if you are planning to include one.

If your fence or gate needs attention rather than full replacement, our fence repairs service covers post replacement, panel fixes and gate rehinging across Cambridge and the surrounding area.

Ready to Make a Decision?

Whether you want a traditional picket, a solid close-board panel, or metal railings to suit an older property, we can advise on what works in your specific situation. Get in touch for a free local quote and we will come to you, assess the boundary, and give you a straightforward recommendation with no obligation.