About Our Victorian Greenhouses
Victorian greenhouses bring timeless elegance to British gardens with their distinctive architectural features and superior functionality. Our collection showcases both traditional wooden Victorian greenhouses crafted from Thermowood timber and modern aluminium Victorian greenhouses that combine classic styling with contemporary durability. Each Victorian greenhouse features the signature steep 45° roof pitch, high eaves (typically 1.8m–2.1m), and ornate ridge cresting that defined the golden age of British glasshouse design.
Our range includes compact Elite Thyme 6ft Wide Greenhouses starting from under £1,500, spacious Elite Thyme 8ft Wide Greenhouses for serious growers, and the premium Swallow Eagle wooden greenhouses with free UK installation included. All models come with toughened safety glass, automatic roof vents, and warranties ranging from 10–12 years.
Whether you need a small Victorian greenhouse for herbs and seedlings or a large traditional glasshouse for tomatoes and vines, our Victorian greenhouses deliver authentic period styling without compromising on modern materials and manufacturing standards.
Choosing Victorian Greenhouses: Quick Guide
Understanding the wood versus aluminium decision helps you select the right Victorian greenhouse for your needs. Wooden Victorian greenhouses from Swallow use Thermowood timber with a natural oiled finish and require minimal maintenance (re-oiling every 2–3 years). They provide superior natural insulation, maintaining temperatures 3–5°C warmer than aluminium equivalents, making them ideal for year-round growing. The Swallow Eagle range includes free installation worth £750–£1,320, a 12-year warranty, and authentic Victorian styling with full-length staging benches.
Aluminium Victorian greenhouses like the Elite Thyme range require zero maintenance and come powder-coated in classic colours including dark green, black, and anthracite grey. Prices start from £1,399 for a 6ft × 4ft model up to £3,500+ for 8ft × 20ft sizes. These British-made greenhouses feature 25mm double-wall polycarbonate or 3mm toughened glass options, with a 10-year framework guarantee. Installation is available separately through Greenhouse Stores' UK Installation Service, starting from £750.
How to Style Your Victorian Greenhouse
A Victorian greenhouse is more than a growing space; it's a garden centrepiece. The authentic Victorian kitchen garden aesthetic combines functionality with period charm, and you can achieve this look whether you choose wood or aluminium construction.
- Classic Flooring: Create an authentic feel with traditional checkerboard tiles, quarry tiles in terracotta or brown, or reclaimed brick. These materials absorb heat during the day and release it at night, helping to stabilise temperatures. For a simpler approach, gravel paths between growing beds provide excellent drainage and authentic period styling at a fraction of the cost.
- Freestanding Staging: While built-in staging is practical, traditional wooden potting benches and freestanding tables add period charm and flexibility. Look for slatted staging that allows air circulation beneath pots. Cast iron plant stands work beautifully in corners, and a classic potting bench with tool storage recreates the working Victorian glasshouse atmosphere.
- Vines & Victorian Plants: Maximise those high eaves by training grapevines along the roof or growing citrus trees that reach toward the light. Victorian favourites include ferns for shaded corners, scented pelargoniums, exotic orchids, and climbing jasmine. The steep roof pitch in Victorian greenhouses was specifically designed to accommodate these taller plantings — use that vertical space.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What makes a greenhouse Victorian style?
Victorian greenhouses feature steep 45–50° pitched roofs for maximum light, high eaves (1.8m+), ornate ridge cresting, and finials. These design elements were developed in the 1840s–1900s and significantly improve growing conditions compared to standard greenhouses by increasing headroom and light penetration by up to 30%.
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What's the difference between wood and aluminium Victorian greenhouses?
Wooden Victorian greenhouses offer superior insulation (3–5°C warmer internally) and authentic period appearance but need re-oiling every 2–3 years. Aluminium Victorian greenhouses require zero maintenance, come in multiple powder-coat colours, and cost 20–30% less initially but don't provide the same thermal benefits or traditional timber aesthetic.
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Do Victorian greenhouses require a dwarf wall?
Not all Victorian greenhouses need dwarf walls. Standard models sit on paving slab or concrete bases. Dwarf wall models are specifically designed frames that fit onto a 450–600mm brick wall you build separately. The wall improves heat retention by 35–40% and creates authentic Victorian styling. We provide detailed wall plans when you order.
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Are Victorian greenhouses more expensive?
Victorian greenhouses typically cost 15–25% more than equivalent barn-style greenhouses due to their steep pitch design and additional glazing area. Expect £1,399–£2,200 for 6ft wide aluminium models and £3,500–£6,500 for 8ft wide wooden greenhouses with free installation. The investment delivers better growing conditions and adds significant visual appeal to gardens.
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Which Victorian greenhouse brands do you stock?
We specialise in two premium brands: Elite Thyme Victorian greenhouses (British-made aluminium with 10-year warranty) and Swallow wooden Victorian greenhouses (Yorkshire-crafted Thermowood with 12-year warranty and free installation). Both manufacturers have decades of UK glasshouse experience and excellent build quality.
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Do you offer installation for Victorian greenhouses?
All Swallow wooden Victorian greenhouses include free professional installation throughout mainland UK (small charge north of Glasgow). For Elite aluminium Victorian greenhouses, we offer professional installation starting from £750 for 6×4 models up to £1,320 for 8×20 sizes. Installation typically occurs within 2 weeks of delivery.
Need help choosing? Call our garden greenhouse specialists on 0800 098 8877 or email sales@greenhousestores.co.uk. Browse all our Victorian Greenhouses with free UK delivery and flexible payment options.