Houses and gardens in Haughton-le-Skerne
St Andrew's, at the west end of the green, is the oldest church in Darlington, dating from around 1125, and parts of the rectory are said to incorporate older monastic stonework. A linen mill once stood on the riverbank east of the village, and a turnpike crossed the Skerne on the north side, carrying traffic that included salt from the Bishop's salt workings towards the Tees ports. Fans of Downton Abbey may know the name too: it is where the cook, Mrs Patmore, buys her retirement cottage.
The council's 2014 appraisal describes Haughton as a linear village, enclosed by St Andrew's at one end and an 18th century house at the other. It splits the area into Haughton Green itself, with most of the historic buildings; the green landscape to the south; and late 20th century cul-de-sacs and flats. Listing data records more than twenty listed buildings, including 5, 11, 17 and 19, 33 to 37, 38 and 40, 42 and 44 and 50 Haughton Green.
The appraisal also notes something useful for anyone planning a patio: there are very few driveways in front of the houses on the north side of the green, so the original back gardens remain almost entirely intact. Those gardens are long and narrow. Beyond the village, the Haughton and Springfield ward is mostly semis (52.8% of households in 2021), with terraces at 17.7%, detached houses at 16.6% and flats at 11.8%. The cul-de-sacs and flats added in the late 20th century, such as St Andrew's Close and Cottage Mews, have smaller gardens where a compact, well-drained patio is the usual request.
What lies under the village
Glacial till covers most of Haughton, according to the British Geological Survey, over mudstone of the Roxby Formation. The till is a dense clay with stones in it; it drains slowly and can shrink in hot, dry spells. For a patio that has to stay level, we strip the topsoil, dig down to firm clay, lay a membrane and compact a crushed-stone sub-base in layers.
The River Skerne runs along the east side of the village. The Environment Agency does not place the village centre in Flood Zone 2 or 3, but Flood Zone 3 lies within 750 metres along the river corridor. Gardens that run down towards the Skerne may be wetter at the far end, so we look at where the water goes before fixing levels, and may suggest a channel drain or a permeable finish.
Planning checks for Haughton
The Haughton-le-Skerne Conservation Area is one of eighteen in Darlington Borough. A patio at ground level in a back garden is normally permitted development inside it, but trees are protected and need six weeks' notice to the council before major work, and listed buildings may need listed building consent for work that affects their character.
The appraisal stresses the importance of the green, the river setting and the intact rear gardens. Keeping a patio close to the house, using natural materials and leaving established trees and boundary walls alone all fit that approach. Front gardens on any street follow the national rule: over five square metres of new paving must be permeable or drain to a soft area.
Budget factors
Your quote comes after a site visit. These are the things most likely to affect it in Haughton:
- Plot shape. Long, narrow gardens behind the green mean more barrowing.
- Access. Few side passages on the old terraces.
- Natural stone. Sandstone suits the conservation area but costs more than concrete.
- Ground. Clay depth and soft spots.
- Paths. A path down a long garden adds length and edging.
- Removal. Existing paving and soil off site.
Also near Haughton-le-Skerne
- Patios in Whinfield: North: late 20th century homes, many detached, on the edge of town.
- Patios in Harrowgate Hill: North-west: interwar and post-war semis and terraces.
Pages that match Haughton gardens: indian sandstone patios, garden paths and steps, patio slabs and paving.
All places we cover: areas page.
Haughton-le-Skerne: common patio questions
Do the long gardens behind Haughton Green need special treatment?
Mostly access and levels. Materials travel a long way, and the far end can be wetter if it runs towards the river, so drainage is planned from the start.
Is a patio allowed in the Haughton-le-Skerne Conservation Area?
A ground-level back-garden patio is normally permitted development. Check trees and listed building status with Darlington Borough Council first.
What paving fits the older houses on the green?
Natural sandstone in soft buff or grey tones, laid in simple patterns, sits well beside old brick and render.
Can you add a path down the garden at the same time?
Yes. Doing both together saves on delivery and set-up, and lets us match materials and levels.
Sources: Wikipedia: Haughton-le-Skerne; Darlington Borough Council: Haughton-le-Skerne Conservation Area appraisal (2014); ONS Census 2021 TS044, Haughton and Springfield ward (Nomis); BGS Geology Viewer; Environment Agency Flood Map for Planning.