Fencing a sloping garden: stepped or raked?

Stepped fencing

With a stepped fence, each panel is level and set a little lower than the one above, like a staircase. It works with standard panels, so it's quick to put up and easy to repair later.

The catch is the triangle-shaped gap left under each panel on the uphill side. That's usually filled with gravel boards cut to the slope, or a low retaining board, so pets can't get through and soil doesn't wash out.

Raked fencing

A raked fence follows the line of the ground, so the top runs parallel to the slope with no steps and no gaps. It's usually built on site as closeboard fencing, with the rails angled to match the ground and vertical boards fixed to them.

It looks neater on a steady slope, but it's more work to build than slotting in ready-made panels. It suits long, even slopes better than uneven ground.

Which suits your garden?

A gentle, even slope often looks best raked. A steep or uneven slope is usually easier and cheaper stepped. On very steep plots, common around Keighley, Baildon and Shipley, the fence sometimes sits on top of a low retaining wall instead.

Whichever you choose, keep each section within the 2 metre height limit, measured from the ground beside it. On a stepped fence, the uphill end of each panel is where you're most likely to go over.

Before the fencer arrives

Know where the boundary is and who owns it, and agree the plan with your neighbour if the fence is shared. If the ground needs retaining, mention it when you ask for a quote, because a retaining wall is a different job from a fence.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules can change; check with your council before you build. Updated October 2026.