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14 Victorian greenhouses and porch glasshouses
Our Design Sourcebook shortlists some of the most stylish options for greenhouses.
A Victorian greenhouse is one place in which it’s possible to keep your beloved plants happy through the seasons.
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Their glass construction means spaces are flooded with natural light but protected from the elements and you can therefore support the growth of plants from around the world. Fruit trees and tropical plants tend to love the microclimate of glasshouses.
But if you’re looking for a space to enjoy yourself as a garden room in addition to being functional, a Victorian glass house is a great step up from a traditional greenhouse.
Sizes and construction materials vary, with everything from self assembly panels to permanent freestanding structures complete with concealed piping, cold frames and water butts for capturing rainwater. If you’re looking for something smaller, we’ve also created a list of the best mini greenhouses.
Whether you’re looking for a growing environment, garden room to fill with relaxing furniture or combination of the two, discover some of the best Victorian greenhouses and greenhouses with porches for gardens of all shapes and sizes.
Rosemary Greenhouse, National Garden Scheme Collection
This beautiful option from Griffin Glasshouse has a very wide porch to make access easier, allow for much more flexibility with your planting schemes.
One of the nice things about this Victorian Greenhouse is that it’s part of Griffin’s National Garden Scheme collection, which makes a five per cent donation to the charity upon every purchase. There are also plenty of options available with this greenhouse, including built in water storage tanks, flexible shelving and seating, ventilation options and cold frames with lids.
The apex roof and ornate gables give this orangery a grandeur beyond its 10 x 14 size.
Available in aluminium, black or anthracite/black, this glasshouse can be personalised to best suit the space you have available. A low threshold gives it easy access for wheelchairs or for maneuvering large garden tools in and out.
The integral base is included and there are four roof vents for ventilation along with six downpipes.
Sitting towards the more affordable end of the spectrum, the Palram is designed to be a permanent greenhouse structure requiring minimal maintenance that uses modern materials to achieve a classic design.
Its structure is a rust-resistant aluminium and uses panes of clear polycarbonate as a lightweight and almost unbreakable alternative to glass.
It comes with a threshold ramp for easy access for wheel barrows or wheelchairs and wide double doors.
This is a Victorian greenhouse in miniature, designed with four opening doors in natural timber and styrene glazing, for walk-around access from all sides.
Features like its apex roof are in keeping with traditional greenhouses. Its 989mm x 1239mm footprint means it’s also small enough to stand in small gardens where space is a premium, without being too intrusive.
Slatted staging is removable and offers room enough for two grow bag trays. One air vent can also be opened to encourage airflow.
£533.99, Available now from Garden Chic (7’6” x 3’2” x 4’2”)
Garden Chic
Clearview Garden Buildings
The redwood pine used to make the frame and shiplap boarding of this traditional greenhouse is managed and sourced to FSC and PEFC standards. It makes a difference to know there’s sustainable materials forming the structure’s simple but sturdy frame.
Standing 8ft 10“ wide and 19ft 6” in length, this Clearview greenhouse should offer plenty of space for both planting and sitting.
Traditional Greenhouse (10m x 4m) with cold frames
This is a luxuriously extravagant Victorian greenhouse that once built, should stand the test of time.
With longevity built into the price, you would get support with everything from design right through to construction with this greenhouse. Designs can be constructed in timber or steel.
A lobby area in a greenhouse is not only useful but something of a luxury. But with a large porch greenhouse like this, luxury is what you’re getting.
High ceilings offer the opportunity for large climbers like fruit trees to grow upwards and flourish. Grace & Son offer this style of glasshouse in two widths: 2.665 and 3.525 with the opportunity to tailor the length of the glasshouse. So you can choose just how much floor space you’d like.
£18,590 (inc installation; cold frames extra) available from WG Grace & Son
Bespoke Victorian Lodge
This is an opportunity to create a tailor made Victorian glasshouse in keeping with traditional designs but customised to your space.
Narrower glass panes are a typical characteristic of Victorian greenhouses but 4mm toughened safety glass should offer strength and support against poor weather. If a porch is on your features list, this could be a great one to consider.
Steep roof pitches are a key feature of the RHS Portico, which uses narrow panes and wooden cedar panels for a warm, natural appearance.
There is a central porch allowing for access from the side and you’re able to choose from cedre panels or a dwarf wall for the glasshouse to sit on.
£11,995 (inc installation), available from Gabriel Ash
Dovetail Greenhouse
Greenhouse with dormer porch
Said to be extra strong in construction, the Dovetail greenhouse is made from aluminium frames and designed to withstand extreme weather conditions.
This particular design is a lean-to Victorian glasshouse with a dormer porch and you have the option of grounding this on a brick wall or going with glass from floor to ceiling.
Hand crafted, the Kingsbury victorian greenhouse is a mini cedre masterpiece designed to sit as a stand alone garden feature and relaxing space. Its porch measures in at 7ft x 3t.
Double doors also feature to provide easy entry in and out with bulky plants, tools or equipment.
£11,695 (inc installation), available from Woodpecker Joinery (10ft x 18ft)
Woodpecker joinery
The Croft
With a unique dormer entrance, this is a small and perfectly formed Victorian greenhouses designed to provide a protective space for your plants within a minimalist footprint.
White Cottage Greenhouses combine Accoya wood frames and aluminium extrusions to create classic-looking structures with the strength and durability of contemporary glazing and reinforced systems.
One of eight specially designed Victorian greenhouse in partnership with the National Trust, the Mottisfont free standing glass house combines a stylistic appearance with solid construction.
Sustainability is a key principle to the National Trust and the aluminium frame used is 100% recyclable. It’s also resistant to rust, making it particularly suitable for freestanding glasshouses.
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£15,950 (excluding brick base), available from Alitex and the National Trust (2.6m x 4m)
