Transform Your Garden with Railway Sleepers

Railway sleepers are a timeless, versatile addition to any garden. Whether you’re creating rustic raised beds, defining paths, or building sturdy steps, these chunky timbers offer both strength and natural charm. At Hennessy Outdoors, we stock high-quality reclaimed and new railway sleepers ideal for all kinds of garden projects.

What Can Garden Railway Sleepers Be Used For?

Sleepers are incredibly versatile. Here are some of the most popular ways our customers use them:

• Raised Garden Beds: Ideal for flowers, herbs, or vegetables. Their depth and durability hold soil perfectly in place.

• Garden Edging & Borders: Frame your lawn, flower beds, or gravel areas with clean, rustic lines.

• Retaining Walls: Create tiered levels in sloped gardens or hold back soil with strength and style.

• Steps & Pathways: Stack sleepers into steps or lay them end-to-end for beautiful walkways.

• Garden Furniture & Features: Build rustic benches, planters, or even a small table with a few cuts and screws.

• Outdoor Seating or Fire Pit Edging: Perfect for creating a social garden space.

 

Tips for Laying Railway Sleepers

Laying sleepers is straightforward with a bit of planning. Here’s some practical advice:

1. Choose the Right Type:
We offer reclaimed old-type garden sleepers and newer versions. Reclaimed sleepers have unique character but may vary in size and finish. New ones offer uniformity and easier cutting.

2. Lay a Solid Base:
For ground-level projects, dig a shallow trench and fill with compacted sand, gravel, or hardcore. This helps drainage and stabilizes the sleepers.

3. Fixing Sleepers in Place:
Use long timber screws, sleeper brackets, or rebar to secure them. For stacked walls, stagger the joins like brickwork for added strength.

4. Safety First:
Wear gloves when handling, especially with reclaimed sleepers that may have rough edges or old metal fixings.

5. Treat for Longevity:
While pressure-treated sleepers last years, you can apply additional timber preservatives to prolong their life.

How to Measure Your Space for Sleepers

Before ordering, here’s how to work out what you need:

• Standard Sleeper Size: At Hennessy Outdoors, our reclaimed sleepers typically measure 2600mm x 250mm x 125mm.

• Measure the Length Required: For borders or paths, measure your linear metres and divide by 2.6m to calculate how many sleepers you’ll need.

• Height and Depth: For raised beds or retaining walls, multiply how high you want the structure by the sleeper height (usually 125mm) to know how many stacked layers are needed.

• Plan for Cuts: Allow an extra sleeper or two if you need to cut them for ends or corners.

Why Buy from Hennessy Outdoors?

We stock premium reclaimed old-type garden sleepers, ideal for rustic and sustainable landscaping. Prefer collection in Clonakilty, but delivery options are available—just get in touch to discuss your needs.

Start Your Garden Project Today

Railway sleepers offer the perfect blend of durability and style. Whether you’re a weekend gardener or transforming your whole outdoor space, they’re a solid investment.

• Check out our range of garden railway sleepers today and bring your vision to life.