Solving Problems

Some gates are mainly about the look, and some have a job to do. This one was firmly the latter.

Crowborough sits high on the edge of Ashdown Forest, and deer roaming out of the forest and into gardens and driveways is a familiar headache for homes around here. They wander in, and once they are in, they’ll happily help themselves to a garden. The customer wanted a gate that would make their property far less easy for deer to get into, so height and sturdiness were the two things that mattered most.

1.9 Metres

Deer are good jumpers, so a standard-height gate does not always stop them. To give the customer the best chance of keeping them out, we built this gate to a total height of 1.9 metres, taller than a typical field gate.

That extra height is the whole point. It makes the gate far harder for a deer to clear, while still looking like a country field gate rather than a fortress. We’re hopeful it’ll do exactly what the customer needs and keep their property deer-free, which is what we set out to achieve.

Oak Posts

A tall hardwood gate is a weighty thing, so what you hang it on matters just as much as the gate itself. We hung this one on solid oak posts, which are strong, naturally durable and more than up to carrying a gate of this size for the long haul.

Oak and Iroko make a good pairing here. Both are tough hardwoods that weather well outdoors, and together they give a gate that’s built to last through plenty of Sussex winters. Hang a big gate on posts that aren’t strong enough, and it will sag and drop over time, so getting the posts right was central to the job. You can see more of our timber work on our wooden gates page.

Manual Gates

We kept this gate manual rather than automated, which suited both the setting and the purpose. For a rural entrance where the main aim is keeping deer out, a sturdy hand-operated gate does the job simply and reliably, with no motors or electrics to think about at a country property.

Manual also keeps the cost down and the gate uncomplicated. Should the customer ever want to automate it later, it’s a conversation we’re happy to have. For now, it’s a solid, tall gate that closes across the entrance and keeps unwanted visitors of the four-legged kind on the right side of it.

The Result

The customer came away with a tall, good-looking Iroko field gate on oak posts, standing 1.9 metres to give the deer a run for their money. It suits the rural Crowborough setting, it’s built from timbers that will take the weather for years, and it should make a real difference to how often deer find their way in. We look after the gates we fit, so if it ever needs attention, we’re only a call away.

If you need a hardwood field gate in Crowborough, whether it’s to keep deer out or simply to close off a country driveway, we’d be glad to have a chat and build something that fits. Call us on 01825 705160, email info@sussexgateservices.co.uk, or fill out our contact form.

How tall does a gate need to be to keep deer out?

There’s no cast-iron guarantee with deer, as they’re good jumpers, but more height helps a lot. We built this gate to 1.9 metres, taller than a standard field gate, to give the best chance of keeping them out.

Why choose Iroko and oak for a field gate?

Both are tough, naturally durable hardwoods that stand up well to the British weather. Iroko makes a handsome, hard-wearing gate, and oak posts are strong enough to carry a tall, heavy gate for many years.

Can a hardwood field gate in Crowborough be automated later?

Yes. We built this one to be operated by hand, but a gate like this can usually be automated down the line by adding a motor and controls. It’s easy to allow for if you think you might want it in future.

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