Testimonials
'Hope i’ve said it enough times - we are bowled over by the quality of the work and the professional way the project has been run, and such a lovely crew of guys; be sure to pass on to them all just how much we appreciate all the work, and in the bitter cold of winter.'
R Priestley - January 2017
'We are absolutely thrilled with the work Ben and Joe have done for us to create some stunning walls for our new entrance. They were a pleasure to have around, and the whole service from start to finish has been exemplary. We continue to receive glowing compliments from friends and neighbours who have been watching the work progress, and I can't wait to see the finished result once we have completed the surrounding landscaping.'
Deborah Ayre - October 2016
'This is to confirm that Steve Compton and his team from Rural Stonework carried out an extensive project for me in Dartmouth during the past two years. He was also commissioned by us to construct the dry stone wall for an Artisan Garden for the Chelsea Flower Show 2011 which was consequently awarded not only a gold medal, but also the Best in Show in its category. I have always found his workmanship to be exceptional and the manner in which the work is carried out by all of his team is also outstanding. I would not hesitate to put his name forward or to use his services again for any future projects.'
Dan Flynn - Director of Gardenlink Ltd. 02/08/2011
“We are delighted with the pond built by Rural Stoneworks & Landscapes. Steven provided expert guidance at the planning stage and, throughout the construction process, the workmen made sure that we were happy with each individual element as they went along. Thanks to their skill, and attention to detail, it was all completed to the highest professional standards. Our new pond is now the beautiful centre-piece of our small garden! We would have no hesitation in recommending this firm to others contemplating a similar project.”
B Zussman - September 2016
' We found Steve and his team to be pleasant, highly skilled, very professional and our wall is absolutely beautiful. We are delighted and would definitely recommend Rural Stonework and Landscapes to anyone seeking high standards, attention to detail and a superb level of customer care.'
J Smith - August 2016
'We continue to get unsolicited compliments about our wall and would like to repeat our thanks to you and your team for such a professional job. Five stars and maximum brownie points all round !'
Phillip & Lesley Harris - February 2016
'Just to say your guys have done a brilliant job. We tried taking the mower over the ramp today and it works perfectly.
The piers they built look wonderful - and when they have weathered in I'm sure no one would realise that they hadn't been there for a century or more.
It is so rare to find a company that do exactly what is asked, think about what they are doing, don't make a fuss or cause a mess and turn up when they promise to.'
Jennifer Brooke - December 2015
'Every time I walk by our new dry stone wall, which is many times a day, I admire the simple arrangement of stones that creates this strong retaining structure.
As the last few winters have become wetter, so a bank above our cottage (we live on a steep hillside) has slumped. So, in the middle of last winter something drastic was needed.
After approaching a number of specialist companies we gave the work to Rural Stonework and Landscapes. Admittedly they started the job a few weeks late, but last winter was even wetter than most, delaying their work programme. Once started their chaps worked on through almost continuous heavy rain.
Steve Compton’s chaps were charming, consulted us often as the wall progressed, and now, at Bocombe Mill Cottage, we have the newest Crinkle Crankle Wall in the UK. A rare thing!'
Chris Butler - March 2016
'Steve and his Dream Team came to tackle our small but very difficult, steeply sloping garden in the summer of 2014. We wanted a very contemporary, low maintenance garden accented only by planting in pots. We were keen to use local craftsmen and materials and combine dry stone walling, stainless steel, glass, a copper water feature and white rendered walls. For such a small space it was a massive job! Tons of earth we're removed, a lot of it by hand, the guys that worked on the job alongside Steve were a delight, polite and always smiling, this made for a happy site and a happy client!
The result is outstanding! Although the company is called Rural Stonework & Landscapes they coped with developing an urban, contemporary garden with aplomb! We can't wait to enjoy it next summer.
Steve worked closely with me throughout the design process and was able to embrace ideas and make them a reality'.
Sally Kilby - January 2015
'I would like to enthusiastically endorse everything that Sally has said and would not hesitate to wholeheartedly recommend you to others. If you want to use us as a referee for other potential clients then feel free to do so'.
Marcus Kilby - January 2015
'Hilary and I are very pleased indeed with the work at the front of Church Lodge and have already had passers by commenting favourably about it. Our pre-work photographs of a waste land of cracked concrete, rubble stone and grit have been totally transformed into a handsome area of hand set stone cobbles in perfect visual keeping with the historic cobbles at Saint Andrew’s lychgate. We were impressed by the dedication of yourself, Ben and Paul in the wild winter weather and your remarkable team spirit at all times. It was clear that you all live for your work and your expertise is there for all to see. So our thanks to you and a great team for a great job.'
With good wishes, Laurie. April 2014
''The Korean garden was amazing... There were certain areas where various materials from Korea and from Devon were used. The garden was beautifully executed and done entirely to brief.'
Expert commentary by Robert Hillier - RHS Chair of Small Gardens panel, with reference to the Hae-woo-so Garden at the 2011 Chelsea Flower Show May 2011
Rural Stonework built a dry stone wall to create a raised garden area. Steve sourced the stone from a local quarry and the result is amazing. It looks like it's been there forever and my first impression was that I was in 'Homes & Gardens' magazine! Everyone who's seen it has commented on how good it looks. Steve was wonderful to work with. He was very professional throughout, kept the site tidy throughout the build and communicated immediately any delays resulting from weather or getting stone from the quarry. I would recommend him unreservedly.
M. Mawson - Ilfracombe (April 2013)
‘Rural Stonework’ have just completed a project on our Devon garden which has involved re-designing a terraced area, paving a patio, building a raised flower bed with stone, and constructing steps and access between the patio and the terraced areas. This small garden is now very attractive and they have done an excellent job, both in the design and the execution of the work. I am truly delighted with the outcome.
Mary Dummett - Newton Abbot 12/07/2011
R Priestley - January 2017
'We are absolutely thrilled with the work Ben and Joe have done for us to create some stunning walls for our new entrance. They were a pleasure to have around, and the whole service from start to finish has been exemplary. We continue to receive glowing compliments from friends and neighbours who have been watching the work progress, and I can't wait to see the finished result once we have completed the surrounding landscaping.'
Deborah Ayre - October 2016
'This is to confirm that Steve Compton and his team from Rural Stonework carried out an extensive project for me in Dartmouth during the past two years. He was also commissioned by us to construct the dry stone wall for an Artisan Garden for the Chelsea Flower Show 2011 which was consequently awarded not only a gold medal, but also the Best in Show in its category. I have always found his workmanship to be exceptional and the manner in which the work is carried out by all of his team is also outstanding. I would not hesitate to put his name forward or to use his services again for any future projects.'
Dan Flynn - Director of Gardenlink Ltd. 02/08/2011
“We are delighted with the pond built by Rural Stoneworks & Landscapes. Steven provided expert guidance at the planning stage and, throughout the construction process, the workmen made sure that we were happy with each individual element as they went along. Thanks to their skill, and attention to detail, it was all completed to the highest professional standards. Our new pond is now the beautiful centre-piece of our small garden! We would have no hesitation in recommending this firm to others contemplating a similar project.”
B Zussman - September 2016
' We found Steve and his team to be pleasant, highly skilled, very professional and our wall is absolutely beautiful. We are delighted and would definitely recommend Rural Stonework and Landscapes to anyone seeking high standards, attention to detail and a superb level of customer care.'
J Smith - August 2016
'We continue to get unsolicited compliments about our wall and would like to repeat our thanks to you and your team for such a professional job. Five stars and maximum brownie points all round !'
Phillip & Lesley Harris - February 2016
'Just to say your guys have done a brilliant job. We tried taking the mower over the ramp today and it works perfectly.
The piers they built look wonderful - and when they have weathered in I'm sure no one would realise that they hadn't been there for a century or more.
It is so rare to find a company that do exactly what is asked, think about what they are doing, don't make a fuss or cause a mess and turn up when they promise to.'
Jennifer Brooke - December 2015
'Every time I walk by our new dry stone wall, which is many times a day, I admire the simple arrangement of stones that creates this strong retaining structure.
As the last few winters have become wetter, so a bank above our cottage (we live on a steep hillside) has slumped. So, in the middle of last winter something drastic was needed.
After approaching a number of specialist companies we gave the work to Rural Stonework and Landscapes. Admittedly they started the job a few weeks late, but last winter was even wetter than most, delaying their work programme. Once started their chaps worked on through almost continuous heavy rain.
Steve Compton’s chaps were charming, consulted us often as the wall progressed, and now, at Bocombe Mill Cottage, we have the newest Crinkle Crankle Wall in the UK. A rare thing!'
Chris Butler - March 2016
'Steve and his Dream Team came to tackle our small but very difficult, steeply sloping garden in the summer of 2014. We wanted a very contemporary, low maintenance garden accented only by planting in pots. We were keen to use local craftsmen and materials and combine dry stone walling, stainless steel, glass, a copper water feature and white rendered walls. For such a small space it was a massive job! Tons of earth we're removed, a lot of it by hand, the guys that worked on the job alongside Steve were a delight, polite and always smiling, this made for a happy site and a happy client!
The result is outstanding! Although the company is called Rural Stonework & Landscapes they coped with developing an urban, contemporary garden with aplomb! We can't wait to enjoy it next summer.
Steve worked closely with me throughout the design process and was able to embrace ideas and make them a reality'.
Sally Kilby - January 2015
'I would like to enthusiastically endorse everything that Sally has said and would not hesitate to wholeheartedly recommend you to others. If you want to use us as a referee for other potential clients then feel free to do so'.
Marcus Kilby - January 2015
'Hilary and I are very pleased indeed with the work at the front of Church Lodge and have already had passers by commenting favourably about it. Our pre-work photographs of a waste land of cracked concrete, rubble stone and grit have been totally transformed into a handsome area of hand set stone cobbles in perfect visual keeping with the historic cobbles at Saint Andrew’s lychgate. We were impressed by the dedication of yourself, Ben and Paul in the wild winter weather and your remarkable team spirit at all times. It was clear that you all live for your work and your expertise is there for all to see. So our thanks to you and a great team for a great job.'
With good wishes, Laurie. April 2014
''The Korean garden was amazing... There were certain areas where various materials from Korea and from Devon were used. The garden was beautifully executed and done entirely to brief.'
Expert commentary by Robert Hillier - RHS Chair of Small Gardens panel, with reference to the Hae-woo-so Garden at the 2011 Chelsea Flower Show May 2011
Rural Stonework built a dry stone wall to create a raised garden area. Steve sourced the stone from a local quarry and the result is amazing. It looks like it's been there forever and my first impression was that I was in 'Homes & Gardens' magazine! Everyone who's seen it has commented on how good it looks. Steve was wonderful to work with. He was very professional throughout, kept the site tidy throughout the build and communicated immediately any delays resulting from weather or getting stone from the quarry. I would recommend him unreservedly.
M. Mawson - Ilfracombe (April 2013)
‘Rural Stonework’ have just completed a project on our Devon garden which has involved re-designing a terraced area, paving a patio, building a raised flower bed with stone, and constructing steps and access between the patio and the terraced areas. This small garden is now very attractive and they have done an excellent job, both in the design and the execution of the work. I am truly delighted with the outcome.
Mary Dummett - Newton Abbot 12/07/2011
