Today there are an ever growing range of synethetic grass manufacturers introducing new grades onto the British market for varied budgets and needs. If you’re looking for turf or artificial grass in Oxford this post will outline the options available to you by reviewing: 

Maintenance

Cost

Environmental Factors

Feel free to contact us at the conclusion of this article with any questions you have. We’re happy to visit with an in person quote and samples if needed. 

Maintenance

Perhaps the primary selling point of artificial grass is its low maintenance. While fake grass will benefit from brushing and specialized cleaning solutions, it doesn’t require the tlc a natural lawn needs. Patching, knowledge of turf diseases, mowing and watering are lawn care issues you’ll need to acquaint yourself with. This is particularly true for clients with pets and children.  

Cost

Homeowners who employ a gardener to maintain their lawn, may find a synthetic lawn is the long term, economical option. However, short-term is a natural lawn is certainly cheaper. Depending on the grade and preparation needed, turf can be up to 10 x less than artificial options. 

Environmental

Experts argue opting for natural grass benefits the environment. Much like trees, turf absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen into the atmosphere. Many consumers believe a traditional garden enhances well being and promotes flora, fauna and wildlife.

If you’re unsure about which option is best for you, our team of experienced landscapers can help. We work through Oxfordshire and offer a variety of turf seed mixes and artificial brands. Contact us for your quote today. 

2019 will go down as one of our busiest years on record. After the heatwave and droughts that marked 2018, demand in turf surged as gardeners and homeowners contacted us to restore the counties withering lawns. Demand was such many turf farms as a result.

As we enter a new turf season, this post is a brief recap of 3 contracts that stood out to our landscaping team in 2019.

Wildflower Turf

Our first job of note was for clients in a new build in Summertown, Oxford. Our clients had unique tastes and wanted a traditional lawn with a unique twist.

Our clients requested an ornamental lawn that was wild around the edges. Beyond the aesthetics, Wildflower Turf has a series of ecological virtues.

This grade promotes biodiversity by introducing new wildlife, bees and insects into your garden. Our team were proud of the result.

Iffley Road Sports Centre

The prestigious venue, known as the ‘Roger Bannister Running Track’, needed us to supply, prepare and lay 200m2. Famed for Bannister’s 4 minute mile, Iffley hosts domestic athletics events and is home to Oxford’s rowing team.

The venue initially considered seeding the area but ultimately opted for turf. Our role here was to prepare the ground beside the track and long jump.

Along the way we applied 6 tonnes of topsoil, a vibrating roller before laying 200m2 of our finest turf.

Sylva Foundation

The Sylva Foundation is an environmental charity based in Long Wittenham, Oxfordshire. Their goal is to ensure Britain’s tree and woodland reserves thrive for future generations. The foundation use a blend of science, art and online tools to educate the masses.

A first for our team, The Sylva Foundation approached our team to supply turf suitable for thatching.

Oxford Turf has executed thousands of jobs across Oxfordshire and surrounding counties. Our team are drawn from various landscaping trades and are able to install turf, fencing, decking and patios. Contact us today with your quote. 

When the team at Oxfordshire Turf aren’t landscaping, we dine out and enjoy group meetings in various restaurants in the Oxfordshire region. This post is dedicated to the finest restos in Bicester. 

For the uninitiated, Bicester is among the most rapidly growing towns in the UK. In 2014 Bicester was chosen as a garden city, with up to 13,000 homes set to be built. The small market town is based just a throw from Oxford and The Cotswolds.

Denis Restaurant

Denis is a Turkish restaurant and is widely regarded as the towns finest. Reviews on TripAdvisor and Google Business celebrate the businesses cuisine and service. Based in Sheep St, Denis offers Turkish and Mediterranean food served with Italian, French and Turkish wine. A review on TripAdvisor noted:

‘I love this place, I’ve been there a few times over the years after being introduced by a work colleague! He wasn’t wrong, the staff are friendly, the service is great, its not expensive and the food is really tasty! ‘– TripAdvisor

Nut Tree Inn

Established by Mike and Imogen North, the cuisine of The Nut Tree Inn in Murcot has drawn national attention. A traditional village pub, The Nut Tree has been bestowed the honour of a Michelin Star for 8 years running. The menu features Risotto of Mushrooms and Salad of Griddled Asparagus. 

Suwanna Thai

The popularity of Thai cuisine has soared across the UK in recent years. Suwanna Thai, based in the town center, this restaurant is a fine proponent the trend. The beauty of the food is evidence by a series of branches opening in Caversham, Witney and at the Greyhound Inn.

Future posts will features our landscaping exploits and the sites and sounds of other Oxfordshire towns. Feel free to make your own suggestions. In the meantime, if you want restaurant tips or turf in Bicester contact our team on the number above. 

 

In previous posts we’ve outlined things to do and places to dine in Bicester. This post will bullet point the towns history and rapid expansion. If you’ve clicked on this page hoping to learn more about our landscaping services, follow this link.

643 — Bicester was founded 643 under the name Berencester. It was later referenced in the Domesday book of 1086.

1547 — In 1547 Bicester witnessed a rapid growth in population as up to 600 people, primarily from Lancashire, arrived in the town.

1557 – 1707 — In these years the people of Bicester experienced the so-called Sweating Sickness and Smallpox. Sweating Sickness, also known as ‘English Sweating Sickness’, was a mysterious illness that struck down its victims within hours of contagion. Meanwhile Smallpox lay 42 townspeople to rest in the year of 1707. 

1745 — This was the year of free education for children of the ages 7-14 in the town. Children in attendance learned the art of spinning and received free items of clothing. 

The Oxford Canal, Wagons & Trains

1790 — Was the year Oxford Canal opened. The canal would almost 80 miles to the borough of Coventry. 

1831-32 — In 1831 Bicester’s population breached the 3000 mark. Records revealed 3022 residents. In 1832 the town would be struck by a Cholera outbreak, claiming 64 people. 

1830’s — It was also over the 1830’s the town the development of transport links to London. A twice daily wagon journey transporting produce between Bicester and the capital was established. 

1850 — This was followed in 1850 with the establishment of the Bletchley – Oxford railroad. The line included Winslow, Banbury and Verney junctions. 

1928 — In this year the Prince of Wales, who would later go onto become Edward VIII, visited the town for Hunt Steeple Chases. Video of the event can be found below:

2001 — In this year census records reveal Bicester’s population reached 28,672.

Oxfordshire’s Garden City

2014 — In 2014 the government declared Bicester as a new ‘Garden City’ for the UK with an extra 13,000 homes built in the town.

We hope you’ve found this article informative. This was a brief history of Bicester sourcing records from a number of sites including the Bicester Local History Society. While the future is uncertain, the towns rapid expansion and the influx of tourists over recent years mean Bicester’s tradition as a sleepy Oxfordshire town is most certainly history.