Third-generation Darlington firm.
One team. One promise.
Priory Landscaping & Driveways is run by James Chapman — third-generation landscaper with 18 years' hands-on experience. Every job is done by the same 4-person crew plus James on site. No subcontractors, no salespeople, no ballpark quotes.
Landscaping is in our family.
Priory Landscaping & Driveways was founded by James Chapman's grandfather, continued by his father, and is now led by James himself — three generations of hands-on landscapers working out of the same corner of the North East.
James has 18 years' personal experience on the tools. He started as an apprentice on his father's crew, worked every stage of every job — ground clearance, excavation, sub-base, edging, laying, jointing, finishing — and today runs the business from the same yard at Wards Industrial Estate on Cleveland Street, Darlington.
We specialise in three things and do them properly: driveways (block paving, resin, tarmac, gravel), patios (Indian sandstone, porcelain, slate, concrete) and full-garden landscaping (turfing, decking, sleepers, pergolas, artificial grass). If it involves the ground under your feet outside your house, we know how to build it so it lasts.
We serve homeowners across County Durham, Teesside, Hambleton and Teesdale — from Darlington and Stockton through to Durham City, Middlesbrough, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield, Yarm and Northallerton.
"I'll be on your site every day the job runs. If something isn't right, you talk to me — not a project manager, not a subcontractor. Me. That's how my dad ran it, and how I run it now."
— James Chapman, Owner
Standards we don't compromise on.
Ninety percent of a driveway or patio is what's under the surface. Cheaper installers save money by cutting sub-base depth, skipping the geotextile membrane and leaving edges un-haunched. Two winters later, you can see it. We don't work like that.
Proper groundwork, every time
Excavation to correct depth, geotextile membrane between sub-grade and MOT Type 1, compacted sub-base to 100–150mm, concrete-haunched edges on every drive. Non-negotiable.
Fixed written quotes, no deposit
One price for the whole job, itemised, written down before we start. Payment in stages scaled to the size of the work. Bank transfer only. No deposit typically required.
Our own crew — same 4 people
James plus four skilled tradesmen. No subcontractors, no gaps between trades, no finger-pointing. The person who quoted your job is the person on site.
Guarantees written into the quote
Up to 10-year workmanship guarantee on the installation. Some manufactured materials carry a separate 5-year product guarantee — both explained before you sign.
Measurable proof, not marketing.
18 yrs
James's hands-on experience
3
Generations of Chapmans in the trade
10/10
Checkatrade across 33 verified reviews
£2M
Public & Employers' Liability insurance
2 days
Typical wait for a free site visit
10 yrs
Workmanship guarantee (up to)
5/5
Bark.com rating
9 areas
Regularly covered across the North East
Talk to James directly.
Free site visit, usually within a couple of days. Fixed written quote shortly after. No deposit, no pressure, no ballpark figures.