09/11/2026 03:00 PM
When creating a countryside property, it is important to strike the right balance between security, privacy, and preserving the character of the surrounding landscape. This beautiful rural project in Kent, completed by T Metcalfe Fencing, demonstrates exactly how thoughtful fencing and gate choices can enhance a property while maintaining its connection to the countryside.
As Jacksons Approved Installers for over 40 years, T Metcalfe Fencing have extensive experience delivering high quality fencing and gate installations across Kent. For this project, the homeowners required a combination of wooden driveway gates, field gates, garden fencing, and boundary solutions that would provide security and privacy without compromising the stunning rural views.
A Boundary Solution Designed for the Countryside
The property's front boundary faces the road and enjoys far-reaching views across the surrounding Kent countryside. Rather than installing a solid fence that would obstruct those views and reduce the feeling of openness, the homeowners chose our Nailed Post and Rail fencing.
Post and rail fencing is a classic choice for rural properties, paddocks, farmland, and long boundary runs. Its open design clearly defines a property's perimeter while allowing uninterrupted views across the landscape and ensuring plenty of natural light can still flow into the garden.
Constructed from machine rounded posts (rather than the standard half round posts for extra strength) and rails, the fencing offers a robust and highly durable solution that complements the character of countryside homes. It is particularly well suited to exposed or windy locations and provides a timeless appearance that sits naturally within rural settings. For this project, a bespoke variation of the standard design was used, featuring two rails and fully rounded stakes rather than the usual three-rail configuration with half-round stakes.
Alongside its attractive appearance, the fencing benefits from our superior quality Jakcure® treated softwood and heavily galvanised fixings, helping ensure long-lasting performance. Like all Jacksons timber products used throughout this project, the fencing is backed by a 25 year guarantee against rot and insect attack, providing valuable long term peace of mind. Galvanised wire netting was also installed on the fence to help keep animals in or out as required. Commonly used for dogs, chickens, foxes and badgers, it provides an effective way to protect lawns and gardens while maintaining the traditional appearance of the fencing.
Matching Wooden Driveway Gates
To create a welcoming and secure entrance, the homeowners selected a matching wooden driveway gate from our Uni Gate range.
Wooden driveway gates remain one of the most popular choices for countryside properties because they offer both practicality and traditional style. The selected gate complements the post and rail fencing perfectly, creating a cohesive appearance across the property's roadside boundary.
Our Uni Gates feature a premium planed finish and are handmade using traditional mortice and tenon construction methods. Rail and brace crossings are secured with stainless steel bolts for additional strength, while the heavy chamfered top rail enhances both durability and appearance.
These versatile gates can be hung either left or right-handed, making installation straightforward across a wide variety of entrances. The entrance is attractive and enhances the property's kerb appeal while blending with the rural surroundings.
A Dedicated Pedestrian Gate for Easy Access
In addition to the main driveway entrance, a separate pedestrian gate was installed alongside the driveway gate.
This simple yet highly practical addition allows homeowners and visitors to enter the property on foot without needing to open the larger driveway gate each time. By providing convenient daily access, the pedestrian gate improves usability while maintaining the overall coordinated appearance of the entrance.
Although the homeowners chose a manually operated gate system for this installation, these gates can also be incorporated into automated driveway gates.
Traditional Featherboard Garden Fencing for Privacy
While openness was a priority along the roadside boundary, other areas of the property required a different approach.
Two side boundaries were fitted with our traditional Featherboard fencing, providing the homeowners with greater privacy and security. One side of the property borders a bridleway, where passersby regularly walk, ride, and cycle past. To help reduce overlooking, prevent dogs roaming onto the property, and create a more private outdoor space, the clients opted for a solid fencing solution.
Traditional featherboard fencing remains one of the UK's most popular forms of garden fencing, thanks to its versatility, strength, and timeless appearance. Built on site using posts, rails, pales, and gravel boards, featherboard fencing can easily accommodate sloping ground, uneven terrain, and awkward boundary layouts.
The natural sawn finish of the featherboard complements the property's rural setting. The solid construction creates an effective visual screen, helping homeowners enjoy their garden with increased privacy, while still maintaining a natural timber aesthetic.
For countryside homes, featherboard fencing often provides the perfect contrast to more open fencing styles, allowing specific areas to remain private while preserving views where desired.
Creating a Unified Look Around the Stables
The property also includes stables and grazing areas within the grounds, making consistency across the site particularly important.
To maintain a cohesive appearance throughout the property, T Metcalfe Fencing continued the same post and rail fencing style into the garden and around the stables, creating a consistent look across the entire site. This approach ensures the stables feel like a natural extension of the property rather than a separate space.
Post and rail fencing has long been a popular choice for paddocks and equestrian environments due to its durability, visibility, and traditional appearance. The open design creates safe, defined boundaries while preserving the spacious feel that is so important in rural settings. A gate was also installed within this area, helping create seamless movement between spaces while retaining a consistent design language throughout the property.
A Complete Countryside Fencing Project in Kent
This project showcases how combining different fencing styles can create a practical and visually appealing solution tailored to the unique requirements of a countryside property.
By using open post and rail fencing along the roadside boundary, the homeowners were able to preserve their stunning views and maximise natural light. The addition of matching wooden driveway gates a dedicated pedestrian gate, solid featherboard garden fencing, and coordinated stable fencing has created a property that feels secure, private, and beautifully connected to its rural surroundings.
Expertly installed by T Metcalfe Fencing, this project highlights the importance of selecting the right combination of fencing and gates to suit each area of a property. This timeless countryside installation will continue to perform and look great for many years to come, backed by our industry leading 25 year timber guarantee. If you are looking for wooden driveway gates in Kent and other fencing installations, contact T Metcalfe for expert installation with years of experience.
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Alice is a part of the Jacksons residential marketing team, writing regular columns on gardening, garden design and everything that is garden fencing, gates and structures.