Business Details
43 Years
experience
Expert Landscaping Services in Manchester
Established over four decades ago, Great Grounds has evolved from a small landscaping venture into a trusted leader in commercial and educational grounds management. Our journey began in 1983 under the name Millar Landscapes, founded by Tony Millar, whose vision for innovative outdoor spaces has remained central to our identity. Specialising in school environments, we combine practical landscaping with educational enhancement, creating spaces that inspire learning and foster community engagement. Our expertise extends to commercial and public sector projects, where we prioritise safety, sustainability, and aesthetic value. With bases in Greater Manchester and Staffordshire, our DBS-checked team delivers tailored solutions, from maintenance to large-scale developments, ensuring every project aligns with client needs.We collaborate with academic institutions like Manchester Metropolitan University to refine our educational offerings, providing teachers with resources to integrate outdoor learning into curricula. Our commitment to cost-effective, high-quality services has earned recognition from organisations such as the Environment Agency and local authorities. Through initiatives like our 1,000 enhancement grants for schools, we empower communities to transform their outdoor spaces without financial burden. With a 'can do' attitude forged over 40 years, we continue to innovate, driven by a family legacy dedicated to excellence in landscaping and education.
Services
Landscaping
Grounds Maintenance
Educational Support
Weed Treatment
Gritting Services
Details
- Year established: 1983
Highlights and features
- We offer 40 years of specialist experience in school and commercial landscaping.
- Our team holds enhanced DBS checks and tailored safeguarding expertise.
- We partner with universities to develop curriculum-linked outdoor learning resources.
- We provide innovative, low-cost solutions for school ground enhancements.
- We deliver seasonal safety services including gritting and snow clearance.
What people say
Inspired learning spaces
Expert educational integration
Cost-effective solutions
Safeguarding expertise
University partnerships
Services
Landscaping
We create bespoke outdoor spaces using natural and man-made materials to enhance environments for learning and recreation. Our designs integrate sustainability features like rainwater harvesting systems while ensuring safety compliance. Projects range from playground installations to full-scale commercial landscape developments.
Grounds Maintenance
Our comprehensive maintenance packages ensure year-round usability of outdoor spaces. Services include seasonal gritting, vegetation management, and safety inspections to maintain optimal conditions for schools and commercial properties. We prioritise risk assessment and proactive upkeep.
Educational Support
We provide teachers with resources to connect outdoor environments to classroom learning. Our Project Link system offers lesson ideas integrating sustainability, careers education, and practical science applications through purpose-designed landscape features.
Weed Treatment
Specialist eradication of problematic species like Japanese Knotweed using Environment Agency-approved methods. Our treatments combine chemical and physical controls to restore ground usability while preventing ecological damage to surrounding areas.
Gritting Services
Seasonal ground treatment services to maintain safe access during winter conditions. We apply road rock salt and clear snow from pathways and play areas, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations for schools and businesses.
People
Tony Millar
Director
Founder with 40 years' experience in landscaping, specialising in school environments. Developed educational support systems linking outdoor spaces to curriculum requirements. Holds enhanced DBS checks and leads staff training in safeguarding standards.
Questions
What areas do you serve?
We operate across Greater Manchester and Staffordshire, with capacity to work nationwide for larger projects.
Do you specialise in school projects?
Yes, we focus on educational environments, offering grounds maintenance, curriculum-linked designs, and safety enhancements.
Can you help with limited budgets?
We provide low-cost/no-cost solutions and offer £1,000 enhancement grants for qualifying schools.
Are your staff qualified?
All team members have enhanced DBS checks and specialist training in educational environment safety.
How do you ensure project quality?
We combine academic research partnerships with 40 years' practical experience in landscape development.
What maintenance services do you offer?
Full grounds care including seasonal gritting, vegetation control, and safety compliance inspections.
