After playing Pétanque for many years with family and friends on his driveway in France, Robert decided it was time to build a more professional pitch in the front garden to continue enjoying the game.
Robert’s Pétanque Court
After researching several material options, Robert decided to use WoodBlocX to build a pétanque court as no cutting was required and the components were lightweight and easy to carry without any help or machinery. The pitch was to be built under a shaded area of the garden to maximise tree cover on hot summer days. Although the grass sloped slightly downhill, Robert planned to level the area prior to starting his WoodBlocX project.
Planning the Garden
Robert found our pre-designed pétanque court kit online which perfectly matched his court size requirements of 12 metres long by 3 metres wide. The kit is designed to a height of 25cm, which creates the ideal surround for the material needed inside to create the pitch and also stops the boules rolling off the edge! If you require something more bespoke, we can customise your pétanque court to any size, just use our Free Design Service.
Preparation and building
To start, Robert marked out with string where the pétanque court was to be built. Next, following his layer-by-layer instructions he laid out the first layer of WoodBlocX to see how much grass would need to be lifted to ensure the base layer was level before securing the structure to the ground.
After digging a channel around the perimeter of the court deep enough for the first row of WoodBlocX to sit level on all sides, Robert pinned the first layer down using ground spikes. The second layer of WoodBlocX was then hammered down using our clever dowel system. Robert then moved on to preparing the internal playing area, backfilling the space with some soil and adding a free-draining MOT Type 2 base which was lightly compacted down.
Next he installed a membrane followed by a 50mm layer of crushed Carboniferous Limestone. Robert spread the material evenly across the court before lightly compacting it down with a whacker plate to create a solid, stable and well-draining foundation for the layers that followed. After leaving the court to settle for a few days, a layer of medium to fine, approximately 10mm sized, crushed Carboniferous Limestone was added to a depth of around 25mm and compacted using a whacker plate, followed by a final layer of fine 6mm–0 sized crushed Carboniferous Limestone to create the final playing surface. The modern capping layer, which sits flush with the structure, was then hammered down to trap the liner and excess removed with a sharp blade.
Finished Garden
Robert’s finished Pétanque court looks fantastic and has created a special spot in the garden to enjoy a game of boules with family and friends! Using WoodBlocX has allowed Robert to create a permanent, attractive pétanque court without the need to construct a traditional timber frame from scratch. Its position under a canopy of trees provides a shady spot for refreshments during sunny afternoons. The colour of the treated timber sits naturally within the garden and will further develop its own character over time as it slowly ages.
Robert's comments about his project
WoodBlocX was a great product to build my Pétanque court. All the timber blocks were delivered cut-to-size for easy installation. Once I had levelled the ground I built the court surround in just a few hours. With WoodBlocX being treated, it should last a long time without any additional maintenance. I'd highly recommend this Pétanque court kit to others looking to build their own pitch at home!
Build your own Pétanque court
Fancy your own Pétanque pitch at home? Build your own in just a weekend! Our Pétanque court kit is ideal for most gardens or use our Free Design Service for something bespoke.
