Oakland Group

Oakland Group Professional outdoor services firm based in Hampton-in-Arden, Solihull. Oakland was formed by Gavin and Craig Bassford, two brothers from Knowle, Solihull.

Since 2006, the company has grown into a comprehensive provider of high-end landscaping, arboriculture, and outdoor living solutions across the West Midlands and Warwickshire. It comprises Oakland Countryside Services and Oakland Landscaping that operate in the local community around the Solihull area of the West Midlands. We
- carry Public Liability Insurance of £2m.
- are a licensed waste carri

er via the Environment Agency (Licence Registration CB/LP3718JK).
- are a vetted member of The Guild of Master Craftsmen
- were a vetted member of the Solihull Council Trading Standards ‘Shipshape’ scheme’ before it was released by the Council to a commercial organisation (and after being vetted carry out work for one of the former Trading Standards officers and the current Mayor of Solihull)
- never cold call and rely upon good reputation. Most work comes from either word-of-mouth references or very low key advertising. Many domestic clients take the services and more than 25% are over retirement age. Commercial clients also take regular services to keep their properties looking sharp and well presented. We’re proud of all the work we do for our clients but some immediate recognisable references in the Solihull area are the Birmingham Audi, Stratstone Land Rover and Notcutts Garden Centre sites on the Stratford Road, Shirley. Suitable references and documentation can be provided if required and please feel free to message.

09/02/2026

Effective activation relies on defining specific functional "rooms" within the landscape without creating physical barriers that block flow.

There's a buzz word flying around at the moment. Sanctuary. There's a significant difference between outdoor spaces tha...
07/02/2026

There's a buzz word flying around at the moment. Sanctuary.

There's a significant difference between outdoor spaces that are merely functional and those that are truly amazing and transformative.

As one design report puts it, a space can look slick on paper, but the real magic happens when it becomes an "emotionally impactful, carefully designed ecosystem that can genuinely adapt to different needs."

For decades, the goal of garden design was to create a pretty picture. Today, that is changing in response to the pressures of modern life.

According to this report, homeowners are rejecting sterile, "cool grey" schemes in favor of immersive, multi-sensory experiences.

And, the garden’s role has shifted from a simple decorative feature to a vital wellness asset—a permanent sanctuary designed to combat the digital noise of the home office and extend the living space.

Thoughts: With so many products and materials specifically available in this "cool grey" how will designers, landscapers and merchants adjust to this profound "Sanctuary Shift"?

Let us know your thoughts in conversation!

Image: 2025 Project by Oakland Group
London Stone Porcelain | NeoTimber Decking

For years, the ideal modern garden was a world of slate-grey porcelain and rigid, box-like planters—a landscape designed...
06/02/2026

For years, the ideal modern garden was a world of slate-grey porcelain and rigid, box-like planters—a landscape designed to be observed through glass, not lived within. It was the era of the "grey box," a space defined by industrial schemes, simple functionality, and a certain emotional distance. But that era is definitively over. Homeowners are now rejecting this cold aesthetic in favor of something far more meaningful: a personal sanctuary.

05/02/2026

A dead oak is vital for biodiversity.

Wildlife Habitat: If safe (away from buildings/paths), consider "monolithing" the tree: remove dangerous limbs but leave the 8–15 ft trunk for species like woodpeckers, stag beetles, and bats.
Risk: A dead oak is a liability if leaning toward a road or a neighbour's property, as the brittle wood is prone to snapping.

29/01/2026

The "Atmospheric Shift"
As light levels drop, the Fifth Room relies on a rich, warm palette to maintain its invitation. It transitions from a bright day-room to a cozy evening lounge.


28/01/2026

The private estate has historically served as the ultimate expression of personal taste, a private gallery of curated luxury, and an invaluable sanctuary for family life. Today, however, we are witnessing a profound and foundational shift in how these estates are perceived and managed.

The sprawling grounds, gardens, and surrounding natural elements are no longer merely ornamental backdrops, designed solely for aesthetic pleasure. Instead, they are being critically reconceptualized as a strategic, productive, and increasingly valuable asset class: Natural Capital.

Big Jobs. Big Feet. Big Results. 🥾✅We’ve been putting the miles in for one of our local estates management clients just ...
25/01/2026

Big Jobs. Big Feet. Big Results. 🥾✅

We’ve been putting the miles in for one of our local estates management clients just like we do for all of our customers! Whether it’s tree surgery or grounds maintenance, we don’t mind getting our boots dirty to deliver a pristine finish.

Huge effort from the team to get this one over the line on schedule.

The stats: 📍 Location: Balsall Common 📐 Scope: Tree maintenance, deadwooding and Ivy removals ⭐️ Result: 100% Client Satisfaction

Contact us to step up your property maintenance. 📩
Call 01564 758 608 and discuss the estate requirements with Will (Ops Man)

That is a fantastic transformation for just half a day's work! It looks like a very productive shift for the team. In ju...
24/01/2026

That is a fantastic transformation for just half a day's work! It looks like a very productive shift for the team. In just half a day, we transformed this bare fence line into a vibrant new Photinia 'Red Robin' hedge. Proper ground prep, quality planting, and a neat mulch finish. 🌿

From "tired" to transcendent. ✨🌿We took a conventional, monotonous lawn and dated paving and asked: "How do we make this...
22/01/2026

From "tired" to transcendent. ✨🌿

We took a conventional, monotonous lawn and dated paving and asked: "How do we make this contemporary?"

The answer was Design -GD-01.

The Oakland Group transformed this space by embracing organic architectural elements. We traded boxy layouts for fluid, elliptical lines and installed a signature "dry river bed" to create movement and depth.

The best part? Luxury doesn't have to mean waste. By repurposing existing onsite materials and focusing on soil health, we achieved a high-end look with a significantly reduced material footprint. ♻️💎

Key Features:

~ Elliptical Layouts

~ Dry River Bed Feature

~ Sustainable Material Repurposing

Call us to discuss your project with our steward.

18/01/2026

This is a sophisticated approach to modern landscaping that addresses many of the pain points associated with traditional "wet" construction methods.

The concept of the "Floating Floor"—specifically using porcelain tiles on a steel subframe like the iGarden-Vision iFrame—represents a shift toward modular, dry-construction techniques.

High-end Projects: IGarden Vision

Address

Hillier Garden Centre, Kenilworth Road, Hampton In Arden
Solihull
B920LP

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm
Saturday 11am - 4pm

Telephone

+441564758608

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Oakland Group posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Oakland Group:

Shortcuts

Share

Category