Freestanding Pergola with Decking: The Complete UK Buying Guide (2026)

A freestanding pergola with decking is a timber pergola supplied as a single kit with its own raised deck base, so it stands anywhere in your garden without needing to bolt onto a house wall or pour a concrete slab first. For most UK gardens it is the simplest way to create a level, all-in-one outdoor room on grass, patchy ground or an awkward corner. Expect to pay roughly £1,300 to £2,000 for a quality wooden kit that includes both the pergola and the deck, and, kept under 30cm high, the decking usually falls within permitted development so no planning application is needed.

This guide explains how the combination works, what size to choose, what it costs, the UK planning rules, and which Signature Pergolas kits suit which garden.

In this article

• What is a freestanding pergola with decking?
• Why choose decking over a patio base?
• What size freestanding pergola do I need?
• How much does a freestanding pergola with decking cost?
• Do I need planning permission?
• With decking vs without: which should you buy?
• How do I look after a timber pergola and deck?
• Frequently asked questions

What is a freestanding pergola with decking?

A freestanding pergola stands on four or more of its own posts, unlike a wall-mounted (lean-to) model that fixes to the house. Pairing it with decking means the kit arrives with a matching raised timber deck that the posts mount into, so the structure and its floor are designed as one. You get a defined, level platform for furniture, a hot tub or a dining set, even on ground that slopes or turns to mud in a wet British winter.

Signature Pergolas builds this range in pressure-treated redwood timber, finished in Rustic Brown or Light Green, with the pergola and deck sold together. Because the whole thing is freestanding, you can place it centre-lawn, in a far corner or across a border, wherever the sun and the view are best, rather than being tied to a wall.

Why choose decking over a patio base?

The base under a pergola matters as much as the pergola itself, and a deck solves problems a patio cannot. A decking kit gives you three clear advantages over laying paving.

It handles uneven and soft ground. A raised deck bridges slopes, tree roots and lawn that turns boggy, without the digging, hardcore and concrete a patio needs. It arrives matched to the pergola. The posts, joists and boards are supplied together and sized to fit, so there is no guesswork getting the frame square on someone else's slab. It looks and feels warmer. Timber underfoot suits a wooden pergola far better than cold slabs, and it drains between the boards rather than pooling.

If you would rather understand base options in full before deciding, our companion guide on whether you need a base for a pergola walks through decking, patio and anchoring side by side.

What size freestanding pergola do I need?

Match the footprint to how you will use the space. As a rough rule, a 2.4m x 2.4m deck seats two to four people for coffee or drinks, a 3m x 3m suits a four to six seat dining set, and 3.6m x 3.6m or larger comfortably holds a big table or a hot tub with room to walk around. Leave at least 60cm of clear deck beyond the furniture so chairs can pull out.

Signature Pergolas offers the freestanding decking range from 2.4m x 2.4m up to 4.8m x 4.8m, so you can size it to the garden rather than squeezing furniture into a fixed shell. If you are unsure, measure your existing table and add a metre in each direction. For a deeper walkthrough, see our pergola sizing guide.

How much does a freestanding pergola with decking cost?

A quality wooden freestanding pergola with a matching deck typically costs between £1,300 and £2,000 as a complete kit, with price rising as the footprint grows and the specification steps up from the Garden to the Premium range. Because the deck is included, you are not paying a separate landscaper to build a base.

For context, having softwood decking supplied and installed on its own in the UK generally runs £60 to £90 per square metre in 2026, so a kit that bundles the deck with the pergola removes a meaningful extra line from the budget. The table below shows indicative Signature Pergolas pricing.

Kit	Size	Best for	From
Garden Pergola with Decking	2.4m x 2.4m	Two to four seats	£1,300.99
Premium Pergola with Decking	3m x 3m	Dining set, upgraded detailing	£1,491.99
Garden Pergola with Decking	3.6m x 3.6m	Large table or small hot tub	£1,557.99
Garden Pergola with Decking	4.8m x 4.8m	Big entertaining space	£1,960.99

Do I need planning permission for a freestanding pergola with decking?

In most cases, no. A freestanding pergola with decking usually falls under permitted development in England, provided the deck stands no more than 30cm (about 12 inches) above ground level, and the deck plus any sheds, extensions and other outbuildings together cover no more than 50% of your garden. The structure also should not sit forward of the principal elevation, the original front wall of your house.

There are exceptions. Homes in conservation areas, national parks, or with an Article 4 direction, and listed buildings, may need consent regardless of size, so check with your local planning authority first. The government's Planning Portal decking guidance is the authoritative reference. For pergolas specifically, our pergola planning permission guide covers height and boundary rules in more detail.

Freestanding pergola with decking vs without: which should you buy?

If you already have a sound, level patio or existing deck, a pergola on its own is the cheaper route. If your chosen spot is grass, uneven or has no hard base, the with-decking kit is almost always the better value once you factor in what a separate base would cost to build. Here is how the two compare.

Consideration	Pergola with decking	Pergola only
Best ground	Grass, uneven or sloping	Existing patio or deck
Base needed first	No, deck is included	Yes, patio or anchors
Look underfoot	Warm matching timber	Whatever is already there
Upfront cost	Higher kit price	Lower kit, plus base cost

How do I look after a timber pergola and deck?

Pressure-treated redwood is built to weather the British climate, but a little care keeps it looking its best for years. Sweep the deck regularly so leaves and grit do not trap moisture, and give both the pergola and boards a wash and a fresh coat of timber treatment or oil every one to two years, ideally in dry spring or early autumn weather. Check the deck for slip in shaded, damp spots and scrub with a suitable cleaner as needed.

For installation, most homeowners can build a freestanding kit over a weekend with a helper and basic tools. Our step-by-step guide on how to install a freestanding pergola on a patio or decking covers the sequence and the common pitfalls.

Frequently asked questions

Can you put a freestanding pergola on grass?

Yes. A freestanding pergola with a decking kit is designed for exactly that. The deck creates a level, stable platform over grass or uneven ground, so you do not need to lay a patio or concrete base first.

Is a pergola with decking cheaper than buying them separately?

Usually, yes. Because the deck and pergola come as one matched kit, you avoid paying separately for a base, which on its own runs about £60 to £90 per square metre for supplied and installed softwood decking in the UK in 2026. You also save the hassle of getting a base square before the pergola arrives.

Does a freestanding pergola with decking need planning permission?

In most cases no, as long as the deck is no more than 30cm above ground and, together with other outbuildings, covers less than 50% of your garden. Conservation areas, listed buildings and Article 4 areas are exceptions, so confirm with your local planning authority.

What size freestanding pergola with decking should I buy?

Match it to your furniture. A 2.4m x 2.4m deck suits two to four seats, 3m x 3m fits a typical dining set, and 3.6m x 3.6m or larger takes a big table or a hot tub. Add roughly a metre beyond the furniture footprint so chairs can move freely.

How long does a wooden pergola and deck last?

With pressure-treated redwood and a re-coat of treatment every one to two years, a timber pergola and deck will give you many years of use. Keeping the boards clear of trapped leaves and standing water is the single biggest factor in how long they stay sound.