Garden Railway Sleepers

Green treated railway sleepers, in stock near Newcastle

Our garden railway sleepers are new green pressure-treated softwood, cut to the classic 200mm x 100mm section in 2.4m and 3m lengths. They are the go-to timber for raised beds, lawn and border edging, garden steps and low retaining walls, and they are in stock at our Swalwell yard for collection or local delivery across Newcastle, Gateshead, Tyneside, Northumberland and County Durham (within 30 miles of the yard).

These wooden garden sleepers are the timber sleepers most people want for raised beds and borders. Buy them singly, or in packs of 10 for bigger jobs – the pack price works out cheaper per sleeper.

What can you use railway sleepers for?

• Raised beds – one or two sleepers high for a 200mm or 400mm deep bed for vegetables, herbs or flowers.
• Edging – lay them flat or on edge to hold back gravel, bark or soil along paths, drives and borders.
• Garden steps – bed sleepers into a slope as simple, sturdy steps.
• Low retaining walls and terracing – level changes in the garden. For anything retaining more than knee height, get advice on design and fixing first.

How many sleepers do I need?

Laid on edge, each sleeper is 200mm tall, so every layer adds 200mm of height.

• 2.4m x 1.2m raised bed: 3 sleepers per layer (two for the long sides, one cut in half for the ends). Two layers (400mm deep) = 6 sleepers.
• 3m x 1.5m raised bed: 3 x 3m sleepers per layer, or 6 for two layers.
• Edging: divide the length of the run by the sleeper length and round up – 10m of edging needs 5 x 2.4m or 4 x 3m sleepers.

For lighter or lower beds, pair them with our planter timber, or browse the full sleepers & planter timber range. A membrane under gravel or along edging helps keep weeds down.

Size options

Timber is a natural material: colour, grain, knots and dimensions can vary. Use the selected option to check the current price and stock. If precise finished dimensions or a particular treatment specification matter to your project, confirm these before ordering.

Delivery and collection

Sleepers are heavy and bulky, so delivery by our own drivers is the easy option. You are also welcome to collect from our Swalwell yard if you have a suitable vehicle.

Delivered by our own drivers within 3–5 working days. Within 10 miles of our Swalwell yard: £10 delivery for orders under £75, or free for orders of £75 or more. Over 10 miles and up to 30 miles: £20 delivery for orders under £150, or free for orders of £150 or more. Distances are measured as a straight-line radius. Delivery is unavailable beyond 30 miles; collection is available from Swalwell.

Enter your complete address at checkout to check availability and charges. View delivery and collection details.

Railway sleeper FAQs

Are these reclaimed railway sleepers?
No. They are new green treated softwood garden sleepers cut to the traditional railway sleeper size, so there is no old creosote or tar to deal with.

Can I use them for vegetable beds?
Yes, they are widely used for veg beds. Many gardeners line the inside faces with polythene or a membrane so the soil is not in direct contact with the timber.

Will the colour change?
Yes. The green treatment gradually weathers to a silvery grey outdoors. Small splits, knots and resin are normal in treated softwood.

How do I fix sleepers together?
Use long timber or coach screws through the joints, and stakes or posts behind taller edging or retaining walls. See our fixings.

Do you deliver railway sleepers near me?
We deliver within 30 miles of Swalwell, covering Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland, Durham, Hexham, Morpeth and the coast. Enter your full address at checkout to check.