Testimonials
Lakeside & Estate Maintenance in the Cotswolds
At Grasshoppers, our clients’ words tell the real story of our work. From lakeside communities to historic country estates across the Cotswolds, these testimonials reflect the trust, craftsmanship, and ecological integrity we bring to every project. Whether restoring a lakeshore, maintaining a grand estate, or creating new habitats, our commitment to excellence and long-term value is recognised by the people who live with our results every day.
What really sets Grasshoppers apart is how down to earth and easy they are to talk to. From the start, Jason took the time to explain everything in plain English, what they were going to do, why and how we might feel watching our beloved, but overgrown garden get stripped back. Because we understood the reasons, we trusted the process. By spring, light was flooding in, the garden started to breathe again, and everything came to life! The lawn looked incredible, the trees and shrubs grew back beautifully, and the new hard landscaping felt like something out of a magazine. That was 15 years ago, and the garden still looks amazing! We couldn’t recommend Grasshoppers more highly.
We have had the expert gardening guidance from Jason and his team for a number of years where they stepped in to correct previous neglect around our shared lake. Jason has been able to successfully help us personally resurrect a number of impressive plants which were in a sorry state due to either our lack of experience or extreme weather conditions. His horticultural knowledge is splendid and he and the team are always so helpful. His passion for the land is obvious.
Working with Grasshoppers has been an absolute game-changer for our business. From the very beginning, their team demonstrated professionalism, expertise, and a true commitment to the landscaping of our managed sites. They listened to our needs, offered thoughtful solutions, and delivered results that exceeded our expectations. We’ve seen measurable improvements in both landscaping and customer satisfaction, and we couldn’t be happier. I highly recommend Grasshoppers to anyone looking for a reliable and innovative grounds maintenance firm.
“I am pleased to offer my recommendation for the Grasshoppers team led by Jason, a deeply committed and hard-working landscaper whose work at our lakeside property has been both thoughtful and transformative. Jason brings a deep understanding of how to care for and enhance a lakeside environment, combining ecological sensitivity with a refined aesthetic sensibility. Jason’s approach to landscaping is rooted in both respect for the land and a clear design vision. One of the key aspects of his work on our property has been the careful development and management of hedging, shaping and maintaining it not only for privacy and structure, but also to complement the natural contours of the land. He takes a long-term view, ensuring plant health and harmony with the broader landscape. At the water’s edge, Jason has been particularly insightful. He understands the delicate balance required to manage shoreline vegetation, preserving natural filtration, stabilising the bank, and enhancing habitat while still maintaining access and views. His thoughtful choices in pruning and wilding have improved both the ecological health of the shoreline and its visual appeal. Jason also worked with us to develop a mowing and maintenance schedule tailored to the property’s needs. He considered growth patterns, wildlife activity, seasonal changes, and aesthetic goals, creating a plan that’s both practical and respectful of the land’s rhythms. What I most appreciate is that Jason truly listens. He takes time to understand what we hoped to achieve, but he also isn’t afraid to offer a firm perspective when he feels something isn’t in the best interest of the landscape. That combination of collaboration and integrity is invaluable. Beyond his technical skills, Jason leads a team that reflects his values: they are professional, respectful, and clearly care about the work they do. It’s a pleasure to have them on-site, and the consistency of their work shows a shared pride in every detail. If you are looking for someone who blends ecological insight with thoughtful design, and who will care for your land as if it were his own, I can recommend Jason without hesitation. His work has brought out the best in our property and deepened our appreciation of it.,
When we began restoring our coastal garden, the project had stalled. The contractors had lost direction, progress was slow, and the whole site felt flat. Jason was recommended to us as a landscaping consultant to work alongside our team, and from the moment he arrived things changed. He simplified the process, broke the work into clear, manageable stages, and gave every contractor a renewed sense of purpose. The mood lifted almost instantly, and pride and creativity returned to the site. The most remarkable transformation was the clearing of carefully chosen viewpoints along the coast. Jason revealed breathtaking sea views we hadn’t fully appreciated before. These framed vistas have not only changed the way we experience the estate but also added real value to the property. It was a memorable journey and one we will never forget. Every time we look out across the open sea, we’re reminded of Jason’s vision and the expertise that made it all possible.
Jason has worked with Watermark for the with great sensitivity and understanding of our design brief, lifestyle and budget. We enjoy Jason’s enthusiasm for our ideas, which when combined with his experience, knowledge of materials, plants and products and commitment to finding exactly the right solution, results in a consistent theme across our various sites and we are proud of what has now become a Watermark brand and identity!
You and your team are so approachable and open to considering what each of us needs we have really enjoyed seeing the grounds from conception through to reality, maintenance and improvement. Each time we start to take this for granted our visitors comment upon how wonderful everything looks, reminding us of the hard work you and your team do on a daily basis. I would be delighted to recommend you and your team!
When we first came to Winchester we inherited a large derelict walled garden, full of weeds and rubble. A friend in Cirencester suggested Jason and his then young Grasshoppers team and it proved the best advice we could have taken. They cleared the wilderness and worked with us in stages as funds allowed, so we came to know them well. They were not only skilled craftsmen but good company too, and their creativity and attention to detail were second to none. All these years later the borders have matured into something Gertrude Jekyll herself would be proud of. Jason still calls in from time to time on his way to Portsmouth fishing, always full of fresh ideas. The garden remains a source of daily joy, and we’ve Grasshoppers to thank for it.