Fire pits & sunken seating in Empingham
Fire pits and sunken seating areas in Empingham, with the retaining walls and drainage done properly.
A built-in stone or brick fire pit typically costs £1,200–£2,000, and a fire pit with built-in seating from about £3,500. A full sunken seating area with retaining walls and drainage is priced per job, usually as part of a wider garden build. A fire pit or sunken seating area in a rear garden does not normally need planning permission.
- Fire pit with seating
- From £3,500
- Planning
- Not normally needed
- Ground
- Limestone; wetter near the North Brook
- Guarantee
- 5 years, in writing
Our 2026 guide prices, all in. Your fixed price comes in writing after the site visit. Council fees checked October 2026.
Fire pits & sunken seating in Empingham: what is involved
We build fire pits set into the patio and sunken seating areas dug into the garden, with retaining walls, built-in benches, steps and drainage at the bottom so the area does not fill with water.
Empingham sits at the eastern end of Rutland Water, below the dam, with a stone-built centre around the church and the main street, and later houses on its edges. Plots are often generous, and garden projects here frequently have the water or open country as a backdrop.
We cover Empingham (LE15) and the villages around it, including Exton, Whitwell, Normanton, Edith Weston and Tickencote.
Ground and conservation in Empingham
Empingham is on the limestone side of Rutland, and much of the village drains reasonably well, but the North Brook runs through it on its way to the Gwash, and ground near the brook stays wet. Digging down in Empingham can hit limestone close to the surface, which is slower to dig out but drains well once it is open.
Empingham has a conservation area and no Article 4 direction. Front-garden work outside listed buildings follows normal permitted development, with natural materials the safe choice in the conservation area.
The North Brook, a tributary of the Gwash, runs through Empingham, and Rutland's flood strategy traces it through Cottesmore, Empingham and Ryhall. You can check any address on the Environment Agency flood map.
Sources: Rutland conservation areas · Rutland flood risk strategy.
Permissions in Empingham
- PlanningA fire pit or sunken seating area in a rear garden does not normally need planning permission. Keep fires a safe distance from fences, trees and buildings, and be considerate of neighbours: smoke can be a statutory nuisance. Listed buildings and the Empingham conservation area have tighter rules, so we check your address before anything is designed. Planning Portal: outbuildings
- TreesTrees in a conservation area need six weeks' notice before work, and protected trees need consent; both are free. Rutland County Council: tree works
- Design and priceWe measure up, check the ground and the planning position, and give you one fixed written price.
Rules checked October 2026.
What you get
- Retaining walls built on proper footings with drainage behind
- A drain or soakaway at the bottom so a sunken area never floods
- Built-in benches faced in stone, brick or render to match
- Fire pits lined and set at a safe distance from fences and trees
The specification
- Area set out and dug down
- Footings and retaining walls built
- Drainage and soakaway at the low point
- Paving laid to falls
- Benches, steps and fire pit built
- Five year workmanship guarantee in writing
“Really pleased with my new driveway. Beautifully finished, friendly professional workmen, would definitely recommend and will be using them again for the garden once other renovations complete.”
Driveway — Google review
“Absolutely great guys, job was done in good time and looks brilliant. No complaints, the driveway is immaculate. More work in the near future, thanks again!”
Driveway — Google review
Everything else we do here
Fire pits & sunken seating in Empingham: questions
How much does a fire pit cost in Empingham?
Do I need planning permission for a fire pit in Empingham?
Does the ground in Empingham make a difference?
Will a sunken seating area fill with water?
Gas or wood fire pit?
Fire pits & sunken seating nearby
Request a site visit in Empingham
We measure up, check levels and drainage, and send a written proposal with the build-up, the programme and one whole price. No pressure and no follow-up sales calls.