Dreaming of a lush green lawn with none of the mowing? Or do you love the feel of the real thing underfoot? Artificial grass and natural turf both have their place — here's an honest comparison to help you pick the right lawn for your Hampshire garden.
At a glance
| Artificial Grass | Real Turf | |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | Virtually none | Mowing, feeding, watering |
| Year-round looks | Always green | Can brown / go patchy |
| Best for shade / high traffic | Excellent | Can struggle |
| Feel & eco | Synthetic | Natural, cooling, wildlife-friendly |
| Typical cost /m² | ≈ £55 | ≈ £20 |
Artificial grass: the low-maintenance choice
Modern artificial grass is a world away from the plastic lawns of old — it's realistic, soft and hard-wearing. Its biggest draw is zero maintenance: no mowing, no muddy patches, no watering, and it stays perfectly green all year. That makes it ideal for busy families, pet owners, shaded gardens and small courtyards where real grass tends to wear thin. Installed on a proper free-draining sub-base, it drains well and lasts many years.
It costs more upfront — around £55 per m² installed — but you save on mowers, feed, water and time. For low-maintenance gardens it pairs beautifully with porcelain paving; see our low-maintenance garden ideas.
Real turf: natural and wildlife-friendly
Nothing quite matches the feel and smell of a real lawn. Natural turf is cheaper to lay (around £20 per m²), stays cool in summer, supports wildlife and is fully natural. Laid on properly prepared, levelled ground it establishes quickly and looks superb — as in our recent turfing projects.
The trade-off is upkeep: regular mowing, occasional feeding and watering in dry spells, and it can brown or wear in heavy-traffic or deeply shaded areas.
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Get an Instant EstimateWhich should you choose?
Choose artificial grass if…
- You want a perfect green lawn with no maintenance
- Your garden is shaded, small or high-traffic
- You have children or pets and want a mud-free space
Choose real turf if…
- You love a natural lawn and don't mind mowing
- You want the lowest upfront cost
- Wildlife and a cooler garden matter to you
Lawns laid across Hampshire, Surrey & Berkshire
Whether you go artificial or natural, the secret to a great lawn is the ground preparation underneath — and that's where we come in. Book a free survey and we'll advise on the best option for your garden and give you a fixed quote.