Privacy in Poole: Stopping the "Goldfish Bowl"
We live on top of each other in Poole. Here is how to block the neighbours' view without putting up ugly orange panels.
The Goldfish Bowl
In Ashley Cross and Lilliput, land is expensive.
Builders cram the houses in. Gardens get smaller.
You sit down on the patio with a beer. You look up. You are staring straight at the neighbour doing the washing up.
It kills the vibe.
You stop using the garden because you feel watched.
The "Orange Panel" Mistake
The knee-jerk reaction? Go to the trade counter. Buy the cheapest 6ft "Larch Lap" panels. Bolt them up.
It looks terrible. It feels like you are sitting in a crate.
The Venetian Fix
We don't do orange panels. We use Venetian Fencing.
(Look at the black fencing in the photo).
It’s horizontal slats. Usually high-grade timber or composite.
The Wind:
Solid panels act like a sail. One bad storm in November and they are flat on the lawn. Venetian slats let the air through. They don't fight the gale.
The Light:
You get the privacy, but you don't lose the evening sun.
Going Higher
The law says fences stop at 2 metres (6ft6).
That’s fine for the garden, but it doesn't stop the bedroom window overlooking you.
That is where we use Pleached Trees.
Basically, a hedge on stilts.
Clear stems at the bottom (so you don't lose garden space). Greenery at the top (where the window is).
It blocks the view from above. Totally legal.
Reclaim Your Garden
If you feel watched, you won't relax.
Privacy isn't rude. It’s necessary.
Get the levels right. Block the sight lines. Forget they are there.
Stop by the office at 78 Alma Rd, Bournemouth BH9 1AN, UK, or call 07835 390845.
