The UK's leading turf supplier

Many years ago, a Sussex lorry driver and a part-time nurse realised the potential for 'instant lawns'. That lorry driver was Chris Watmore, the nurse was his wife Janet. Together, they formed a new company known as 'Sussex Turf Suppliers', based in Hailsham.

To succeed, they knew they had to be better than the rest. So in 1965, they took eight acres of prime land, improved it, sowed the very best seed, weed treated it, fertilised it and mowed the new turf regularly prior to sale. The result was a high quality pasture turf the like of which had never been seen before.

The Company went from strength to strength, and in 1980 the search for even better pastures led the Company to the North West of England. The Company was renamed - and the 'Turfland' brand was born.

Today, the Watmore family still own and manage this thriving business. Growing five blends of seed on over 1000 acres of prime Grade 1 soil, Turfland is a market leader in turf production and management. Our customer list reads like a who's who of turf users, including St Andrew's Golf Course, The Belfry and 10 Downing Street as well as Stately Homes and Parks and Gardens across the country. Turfland has also made countless TV appearances, including 'Challenge Anneka' (twice) and many BBC education programmes. Janet Watmore achieved her own unique acclaim when she was awarded the 'Women into Business Award' in 1995.

Chris and Janet now live in New Zealand and the business is run by daughter Angela and son in law David Mackay but with the wonders of modern technology, they are still able to extend a good contribution to company policies.

In 1999, during a holiday in New Zealand, they were introduced to and fell in love with Waitangi Lodge, which was for sale, on the banks of the beautiful Lake Tarawera they purchased it, intending to retire. However, having been in the people service industry for 40 years, retirement proved impossible.

Alongside Waitangi Lodge, they have since purchased Spencer Lodge. Both are located beside the magnificent Lake Tarawera, a lake so clean you can drink the waters straight from it without any treatment whatsoever. Lake Tarawera is also home to the famous Lake Tarawera rainbow trout with an average size of 8Ibs up to trophy size 16/20 Ibs.

The lodges are open for guests and should you be considering a holiday in New Zealand at any time in the future you should take a look at these exclusive luxury retreats www.waitangilodge.com

Turfland also prides itself in being a custodian of ecology and the environment. We take great care of all the land we manage, implementing a unique Wildlife Conservation Policy. Special tyres are fitted to all tractors and equipment to avoid soil compaction. No heavy lorries ever go onto our fields. We employ soil conservation techniques and judicial use of fertilizers and chemicals so as not to adversly affect the environment. Existing trees and hedgerows have been nurtured, ponds, bird and butterfly gardens have been created and thousands of trees and shrubs have been planted to provide food and habitat for wildlife. Our coastal turf growing areas provide grazing for thousands of migrant geese - a spectacular sight in the winter months.

So why should you choose Turfland? Because you know you'll be in safe hands.