Home / Environment / Brits Pave Over Half of Front Gardens, Harming Environment
Brits Pave Over Half of Front Gardens, Harming Environment
20 Oct
Summary
- Over 50% of Britain's front gardens and 33% of back gardens are paved over
- 7.5 million sq. meters of domestic gardens are covered in artificial lawns
- Paving reduces gardens' ability to help with flooding, wildlife, and carbon storage
According to a new report by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), the state of gardening in Britain is concerning. Mapping conducted in 2025 has found that over 50% of the country's front gardens and a third of back gardens are now paved over, reducing their potential to help with flooding, support wildlife, and store carbon.
The report also indicates that 7.5 million square meters of domestic gardens are covered in artificial lawns, further diminishing the environmental benefits of green spaces. Experts are now calling for a guaranteed "space to grow" in all new housing and urban planning, as well as measures to encourage more robust planting and permeable paving in existing homes.
Despite the love of gardening among Britons, the report highlights disparities in access to green space, with over 40% of London categorized as gardens compared to less than a fifth of the land in Leeds. The RHS is urging households, councils, and developers to take action to protect and expand the country's vital gardens and green spaces.
