Bespoke Made to Measure Pergolas
Made to measure in prime oak. Send us the dimensions and we will draw it, quote it, build it and install it.
"The excellent, personal service started from this very first enquiry to the delivery of a superbly constructed pergola and very comfortable seat." — Mr. & Mrs. Kenney, Trustpilot
"It is a big investment but it will give us years of pleasure and is clearly a product that is built to last." — Diana Murray, Trustpilot
"The quality of work is top notch, we could not be happier." — Simon, Trustpilot
Because this piece is highly bespoke, we invite you to contact us to discuss options, timings and pricing.
Meet the Maker
Meet Alex De Bono, a skilled joiner following in his father's footsteps. Working from his Dorset workshop since 2013, Alex is our lead maker for bespoke pergolas - from build through to on-site installation.
Made to order in our Devon and Dorset workshops – typically from 6–8 weeks, confirmed at design stage
Our seats sit at RHS Wisley, Rosemoor, Harlow Carr and Bridgewater
Loved by our customers
475+ reviews: rated 5.0/5 independently verified reviews across Google and Trustpilot
Purchasing for your home outside the UK?
We've delivered all over the world. Read about our international delivery options
Questions before you order
What goes into one of our pergolas?
Prime oak with the sapwood cut out, traditional joints, and a frame designed for the load it will carry – including a swing seat or day bed if that is the plan.
How do I order?
Send us the measurements and a photograph of the space. We will draw it, quote it and, once agreed, build and install it. Call 01297 443084 or use the form above.
Can you work from a garden designer's plan?
Yes. We often do – send the drawings and we will quote from them. For trade projects we can supply CAD drawings and loading data.
Why green oak and not air-dried?
For a structural frame, green oak is the traditional choice: it is strong, and as it dries in place the joints pull tighter. It will split along the grain as it seasons. Those splits are the timber settling, not a weakness – and they are why we use air-dried oak for the seats and beds you sit on, where you want the surface to stay smooth.
How long will it take?
Typically four to six weeks from order to delivery.
Do I need planning permission?
Usually not for a freestanding pergola in a private garden, but height limits apply close to a boundary, and listed buildings and conservation areas have their own rules. Check with your local planning authority if in doubt.
How a bespoke pergola is made
If you are shaping a garden or refining an existing one, these principles help create a space that feels restful and quietly luxurious.
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Send us the space. Measurements, a few photographs, and what you want the pergola to do – carry a seat or day bed, frame a view, grow wisteria.
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We draw it. You get a drawing and a quotation; nothing is cut until you have agreed both.
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We build it in the workshop, in prime oak with the sapwood cut out, and check the joints before it leaves.
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We install it on site, level and square, and if a seat is going in, hang it and set it to your height.
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It settles. Green oak dries and tightens over the first year or two; small splits along the grain are normal.
How is a Sitting Spiritually pergola
designed and produced?
Typically, a pergola is designed and built to support itself and the weight of the plants it supports. A Sitting Spiritually pergola is designed to be far more robust. We over-engineer our structures to support the weight of the swing seat and the people sitting on it. But also, the extra loads created by the lateral forces generated by the swinging motion. The tolerances we build into the design and construction, particularly the joints, meaning you have a super strong structure that is guaranteed to last.
In their own gardens. In their own words.
For more than twenty years, Sitting Spiritually has been chosen by garden-proud homeowners, country house hotels and estates from the Cotswolds to California. Read what they had to say – in their own words, in their own gardens.
Your Pergola Design,
Your Way
Our joiners build in prime grade oak as standard, with other timbers and painted finishes available.
Pergolas can be a stunning addition to any garden; an impressive, eye-catching feature that creates a room-like outdoor space—a perfect spot for al fresco dining and barbecues, or just a place to retreat to and unwind after a hard day’s work.
Each Sitting Spiritually pergola is handcrafted from scratch. Whether it's for a personal project or it's collaborating with garden designs or landscapers, we are able to provide a fully bespoke design; always happy to adapt and coordinate with your own unique vision to create the perfect product for you.
While our expert team of joiners typically use prime grade, joinery quality oak or larch to build our pergolas, other woods and finishes are readily available.
This is your design and we will be delighted to discuss each element at every step of the way.
Request our brochure
Discover the artistry of Sitting Spiritually. Request a copy of our brochure to explore our entire collection of luxury garden swings, day beds, benches, rope swings, and pergolas. See why our handcrafted, sustainable furniture is the perfect, lasting addition to your garden.
As featured in:
475+ five star reviews across Trustpilot and Google
Something beautiful
for our garden
What a wonderful company to deal with! Every question answered quickly and our beautiful oak pergola with swing seat was delivered on time and the pieces stacked so carefully ready for assembly. We are enjoying planning the planting of scented climbers to grow up and over the frame - a real treat in our little garden.
Amazing craftmanship
We couldn’t be more delighted with our swing seat and pergola. It is now the main focal point in the garden and has created a lovely seating area for relaxing. The workmanship is superb, the pergola design very attractive and the seat so comfy. Martin was a pleasure to deal with - always helpful with any decisions or queries. It is a big investment but it will give us years of pleasure and is clearly a product that is built to last.
An exceptional experience
From our first visit to Martin at Sitting Spiritually in Lyme Regis, right up until the delivery of our wonderful seat and pergola a few days ago, the professionalism and service from everyone involved, has been second to none. The craftsmanship and design is superb, resulting in a work of art and a fabulously comfortable seat. Master craftsmen in these days of mass production are a joy to find.
An inspirational focal point or an integral part of the overall garden design
Optional striking painted finish
A range of finishes and creations
This stunning, stand-out pergola was designed by us, delivered and assembled on-site. Handmade from clear treated (no knots) Douglas Fir using traditional methods, it was painted in Sadolin Super Deck matte black for a super sleek finish.
It was a stunning addition to the space, with the customer fitting lights and a sound system to the structure creating an outdoor area perfect for enjoyment and entertaining.
See other bespoke commissions, our standard oak pergola, pergola arches, and the guide to pergolas and garden rooms.
Weave your wisteria...
In the custom pergola pictured, we used prime grade oak with each component specially jointed and reinforced with stainless steel and plugged to give that traditional look.
The site where we have positioned the bespoke pergola originally had a structure there, with a mature Wisteria clambering all over it. Our installation team dismantled the structure, carefully and tenderly untwining the wisteria. After construction of the new pergola, the Wisteria was gently coaxed onto its new home and we are happy to report is thriving.
Martin and his team created an exquisite bespoke pergola and swing seat for us this summer
From our first visit to Martin at Sitting Spiritually in Lyme Regis, right up until the delivery of our wonderful seat a few days ago, the professionalism and service from everyone involved, has been second to none. We were kept well informed about every aspect of our commission and responses to any of our queries were swift and always helpful.
The craftsmanship and design is superb, resulting in a work of art and a fabulously comfortable seat. Master craftsmen in these days of mass production are a joy to find.
William Morris’s wish was that the contents of our homes ( and of course our gardens! ) should be either beautiful or useful. Well, with our Sitting Spiritually commission, we have both!
Pauline, Trustpilot Review
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