Business Details
13 Years
experience
Your Trusted Landscaping Partner in Weymouth
We are Wessex Grounds Services, established in 2013 by Stephen Harris, a horticultural industry leader with over 30 years of public sector experience. Our team combines expertise in landscape design, consultancy, and horticulture, supported by ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 accreditations. With offices in Milborne St Andrew, Wimborne, and Weymouth, we deliver grounds maintenance and synthetic surfacing solutions across Dorset and the South West, serving over 100 clients including local authorities, schools, and private businesses.Our commitment to innovation, environmental stewardship, and safety ensures high-quality, cost-effective services tailored to client needs. We maintain strong industry partnerships, including The Land Trust and NottsSport, to deliver specialist projects. Our team's technical qualifications and practical experience enable us to manage complex projects from design to maintenance, ensuring long-term value for clients.
Services
Grounds maintenance
Landscaping
Synthetic surfaces
Sports field maintenance
Weed control
Consultancy
Tree services
Details
- Year established: 2013
Highlights and features
- We have over 30 years of combined experience in horticulture and landscaping
- Our ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 accreditations demonstrate quality and safety commitment
- We serve over 100 clients including schools and local authorities
- We are approved NottsSport synthetic surfacing installers
- Our team includes MIHort and MCMI qualified professionals
Associations and certifications
- ISO 9001
- ISO 14001
- ISO 45001
What people say
Transform our break times
Excellent work
Great service
Professional maintenance
Already planning next project
Services
Grounds maintenance
We provide comprehensive grounds maintenance services tailored to local authorities, schools, and businesses. Our services include grass cutting, sports field care, weed control, seasonal planting, and winter gritting. With ISO-certified quality assurance, we create bespoke maintenance plans that ensure year-round aesthetic appeal and functionality. Our experienced teams use modern equipment to maintain hard surfaces, manage litter collection, and perform synthetic surface repairs across Dorset and the South West.
Landscaping
Our innovative landscaping services combine creative design with technical expertise. We deliver projects from small garden re-designs to large-scale developments, considering drainage, soil type, and maintenance requirements. Working within client budgets, we create inspiring outdoor spaces for schools, local authorities, and private clients. Our approach integrates sustainable practices and includes hard landscaping elements, ensuring both aesthetic appeal and long-term functionality for commercial and public spaces.
Synthetic surfaces
We specialise in installing and maintaining synthetic sports carpets and play surfaces. As approved NottsSport installers, we provide ChildsPlay surfacing systems with shock-absorbing properties for playgrounds. Our services include MUGA construction, surface repairs, and ongoing maintenance to extend lifespan. We ensure compliance with safety standards while delivering cost-effective, durable solutions for schools and sports facilities across the South West region.
Sports field maintenance
Our comprehensive sports field maintenance plans ensure optimal playing conditions year-round. Services include mowing, pitch marking, weed control, drainage management, aeration, and fertilising using organic options. We cater to schools and local authorities, providing both regular maintenance contracts and one-off projects. Our experienced teams maintain professional standards for sports turf, ensuring safety and playability for community and educational institutions.
Weed control
We offer sustainable weed control solutions combining environmental responsibility with effectiveness. Our services include mulching, herbicide treatments, and preventive measures to protect buildings and landscapes. We address commercial, local authority, and private client needs, using eco-friendly methods that maintain ecological balance while preventing weed regrowth. Our approach ensures long-term site maintenance and compliance with environmental standards across Dorset.
People
Stephen Harris
Managing Director
MIHort, MCMI, F.ALM qualified horticultural industry leader with 30+ years' public sector experience. Founded Wessex Grounds Services in 2013 after serving as Regional Director of the Institute of Groundsmanship. Holds degree-level horticultural qualifications and IOSH health & safety certification. Completed Level 5 Leadership and Management qualification with CMI.
Amanda Hanger
Office Manager
Former finance and HR manager with 15 years' experience in training sector management. Joined WGS in 2014, overseeing company finances, client liaison, operations coordination, HR, marketing, and administration. Brings expertise in business growth and process optimisation to support WGS's expansion.
Mark Parfett
Landscape Supervisor
Over 30 years' experience in landscaping and grounds maintenance. Previously worked with Stephen Harris at Dorset County Council. Managed major projects including Poundbury development and Bath tree planting. Key contact for The Land Trust's Osprey Quay maintenance operations.
Nigel Beckett
Business Support Officer
Nearly 40 years' public sector experience across education, building services, and grounds management. Former customer liaison for schools and corporate sites. Provides client support and facility management expertise, including managing agent role at Osprey Quay for The Land Trust.
Graeme Mitchley
Grounds Maintenance Supervisor - East
Sports turf management specialist with 14+ years' experience. Former Contracts Manager overseeing 21 personnel. Expert in sports field construction and maintenance, including FIFA World Cup facilities. Joined WGS in 2021 to lead East Area operations and improve service standards.
Questions
What areas do you cover?
We provide grounds maintenance across Dorset and install synthetic surfacing throughout the South West, covering Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Wiltshire, and Hampshire.
Are you ISO certified?
Yes, we hold ISO 9001 (quality), 14001 (environment), and 45001 (health & safety) accreditations, demonstrating our commitment to international standards.
Do you work with schools?
We maintain over 40 schools across Dorset, providing grounds maintenance, synthetic surfaces, and landscaping services tailored to educational institutions' needs.
What synthetic surfaces do you install?
We install NottsSport synthetic carpets including ChildsPlay safety surfacing for playgrounds, with shock-absorbing properties and 3m fall height protection.
How do you handle sports field maintenance?
We offer comprehensive maintenance plans including mowing, marking, weed control, drainage, aeration, and fertilising to keep sports pitches in optimal condition year-round.
Can you provide tree services?
We partner with specialist tree contractors to offer pruning, removal, stump grinding, and maintenance services as part of our comprehensive grounds management solutions.
