Some of the most popular use cases for railway sleepers include using them for retaining walls, border edging, and raised beds. 

However, the possibilities are endless. Some people tend to use these for raised decks, fencing, swimming pools, benches, tables, and even ponds!

Here are some unique, creative, and easy ways in which you can use railway sleepers as a gardener in the UK:

1. Garden paths

Sleepers are excellent for edging and help subtly create clean lines with a natural finish. 

You may use these to create paths, or even stair-like stepping stones and add a rural countryside look to your garden.

2. Garden furniture

Garden sleepers make great garden furniture, too. 

Take three railway sleepers, cut them in half, and put them together to make the tabletop.

To make the legs, just cut some more wood and you’re ready to go.

You can even experiment with other garden furniture like benches, fencing, and plant walls.

Additionally, as an alternative to traditional decking boards, you can create patios and decking from railway sleepers as well. 

3. Water Features 

Lastly, building water features from railway sleepers is not something widely spoken of but is a surefire way to elevate your garden’s overall look. 

You can build a raised pond or even a waterfall. 

For the pond, first, choose where you want the pond to be, then lay the sleepers on the ground. 

Next, fasten them together, and stack and fix another layer of sleepers if you want to give it more height.

Lastly, attach a pond liner, fill the pond with water, and some decorative elements. 

Watch this video to see how you can make a waterfall with sleepers, as well as a pond.

How to do a Pond and waterfall with Sleepers

You may also consider building other decorative elements like support for archways and pergolas, a centrepiece, or even a sculpture. 

Really, just get creative!

Choosing between railway sleepers is like choosing between cars — only you know which one can suit you best. 

Overall, you should consider the following factors:

1. Appearance

Do you want a clean or rustic look? Reclaimed sleepers have a naturally rustic look. If you want a new one with a rustic appearance, opt for charred, brushed and high-pressure treated ones.

2. Affordability

Are you looking for something economical? Reclaimed and softwood sleepers are more cost-effective.

3. Weight

Do you need them to be lightweight? Hardwood sleepers are generally heavier. 

4. Size

Do you need uniform sizes? What is the exact size you need?

5. Cutting

Does your project involve cutting? Some sleepers don’t cut easily.

6. Environment 

Do you want to purchase an environment-friendly option? Go for a reclaimed one if so. 

7. Durability

Are you OK with maintenance, or do you want a sleeper that will last long regardless? Tanalised and treated sleepers have better longevity. Hardwood sleepers last the longest.

Note that UC4 pressure-treated sleepers are most durable, suitable for ground contact, and are ideal if you wish to install them as flower beds. 

At G&G Fencing and Landscape Supplies, all our sleepers are pressure-treated to UC4 grade and easily last up to 30 years.

When it comes to the types of railway sleepers, you will come across three of the following types.

1. Softwood Railway Sleepers

Softwood sleepers are usually sawn from trees that grow faster and are less dense, such as pine, spruce, or larch trees. 

Since these sleepers come from a fast-growing tree, they’re very affordable compared to hardwood sleepers. 

The best thing about softwood sleepers is that they are easy to work with in landscape projects. 

If you want to create clear, crisp garden edgings, a well-raised flower bed, or a retaining wall, softwood sleepers will get the job done. 

That’s because softwood railway sleepers are lightweight and have a pliable nature, which makes them easier to manoeuvre, cut, and position.

On the downside, softwood sleepers may require more frequent maintenance and replacement.

UC3 Softwood sleepers usually last around 5 to 10 years, but our UC4 Sleepers can live up to 30 years.

Pros

• Lightweight

• Easy transportation and installation 

• Cost-effective

• Easily available due to faster tree growth

2. Hardwood Railway Sleepers

Generally made from oak, beech, teak, jarrah, and hornbeam trees, hardwood railway sleepers are extremely versatile, durable, and robust. 

In comparison to softwood, hardwood sleepers offer more durability and are a maintenance-free alternative. 

Their inherent durability properties, higher density, and interlocking grain structure make them less prone to splitting, warping, and insect and fungal attacks; they tend to last around 100 years. 

However, hardwood may not be the right option for you if you are on a budget. They can be expensive.

Pros 

• Greater strength and load-bearing capacity

• Highly durable with resistance to wear and tear

• Resistance to insect and fungal attacks

• A lifespan of around 100 years

Cons 

• Very heavy weight makes it difficult to move or manoeuvre

• Extremely costly

• Not readily available as it comes from a slower-growing tree

3. Reclaimed Railway Sleepers

Gardeners and designers often find reclaimed railway sleepers as their top choice due to their looks and sturdiness.

Reclaimed sleepers are old and used sleepers, coming in dark or medium brown colours. 

They are generally uniform in size and appearance and softer to the touch, but messy and hard to stack.

They are made from hardwood and come in either treated or pressure-treated conditions, or they’re coated with creosote.  

Overall, these are a good choice if you are looking to build something that requires accurate measures like garden edges and lasts long. 

Reclaimed railway sleepers can last up to 20 years and more, depending on usage patterns.

Pros

• Offers unique aesthetics

• Cost-effective

• Strong and sturdy

• Softer to touch

• Uniform size and appearance

• Longevity

Cons 

• Comes in approximate sizes only

A client once asked us: If they’re used in gardens, why are they called railway sleepers? Valid question. 

Railway sleepers first originated in rural China and were used during the Qin Dynasty. 

They used to have a different look than the sleepers we have now, but back in the day, they were used to lay tracks on. 

The Qin Dynasty sleepers used to be for horse-drawn cars. Over the years, they evolved and were then used to lay rail tracks.

Essentially, railway sleepers are large-sized rectangular sawn pieces of wood (mainly timber).

In the present day, they’ve gained popularity among gardeners, and are used in various landscaping and gardening projects. 

They come in two sizes, 2.4 metres and 3 metres.  

At G&G Fencing and Landscape Supplies, we sell sleepers in both these sizes, in two colours, and two different thicknesses, i.e:

• 100mm x 200mm in Natural and Brown

• 125mm x 225mm in Natural and Brown

Sleepers can be used to create flower beds, retain soils, make pathways, border edging, raise beds, and so on. 

Overall, they’re a versatile, affordable, and sustainable tool for gardening. 

You can also cut them and shape them according to what your project demands.

According to the UK Gardening statistics of 2023-24, 27 million Brits enjoy and actively engage in gardening, and 80% of UK households have a garden.

If you’re one of these garden owners who love gardening activities and are looking into landscaping, you probably have already heard about railway sleepers. 

They’re versatile and all, but which one should you get? How do you decide which one is the best for your project?

Figuring out which sleeper would work best for you is one of the most difficult bits of the process. But lucky for you, we’ve got it covered.

Here’s a comprehensive guide on what railway sleepers are, which is best for you, and which one is the best overall. 

By the end of the post, we hope to have answered all your questions about sleepers for gardening! Let’s begin.

We sell sleepers in 2 colours and 2 different thicknesses

• 100mm x 200mm in Natural and Brown
• 125mm x 225mm in Natural and Brown

The come in both 2.4meters and 3 meters

Our railway sleepers are fully pressure treated to uc4 grade. This means that you new sleepers will be fine for ground contact and also perfect if you are installing them as flower beds. Most timber merchants will sell uc3 treated sleepers as they are cheaper but they should not be used on the ground or as flowerbeds. UC4 treated sleepers have a life span 30 years uc3 treated sleepers you will be lucky if they last 6. 

The best fixing for railway sleepers are index timber screws. You can order them here

It may seem difficult, but if the right tools and techniques are employed, cutting a railway sleeper is a safe and efficient process. 

Use a high-quality circular saw with a diamond-tipped blade for precision and durability. 

Guide the saw through your sleeper slowly and patiently. Keep your hands away from the blade.

Remember to wear protective gear when cutting, including gloves, ear protection, and eye goggles.

You can also use good hand saw

The answer mainly depends on what you’re building. 

If you aim to build a garden bed for vegetables, make sure your sleeper has not been treated with chemicals, stains, or preservatives as they can contaminate the soil and harm the veggies. 

Generally, if you want to build a garden bed for fresh produce, stay away from sleepers that have been treated with, or have traces of creosote, oil, arsenic and diesel on them.