17 Victorian greenhouses and porch glasshouses

A Victorian greenhouse is one place in which it’s possible to keep your beloved plants happy through the seasons.

Their glass construction means spaces are flooded with natural light but protected from the elements and you can therefore support the growth of plants from around the world. Fruit trees and tropical plants tend to love the microclimate of glasshouses.

Here are the reasons to have a Victorian greenhouse

But if you’re looking for a space to enjoy yourself as a garden room in addition to being functional, a Victorian glass house is a great step up from a traditional greenhouse.

Sizes and construction materials vary, with everything from self assembly panels to permanent freestanding structures complete with concealed piping, cold frames and water butts for capturing rainwater. If you’re looking for something smaller, we’ve also created a list of the best mini greenhouses.

Whether you’re looking for a growing environment, garden room to fill with relaxing furniture or combination of the two, discover some of the best Victorian greenhouses and greenhouses with porches for gardens of all shapes and sizes.

17 beautiful Victorian greenhouses available online in 2023

Palram Canopia Oasis Hexagonal Greenhouse

Sitting towards the more affordable end of the spectrum, the Palram is designed to be a permanent greenhouse structure requiring minimal maintenance that uses modern materials to achieve a truly classic design.

Its structure is made from a rust-resistant aluminium and uses panes of clear polycarbonate as a lightweight and almost unbreakable alternative to glass that are four millimetres thick.

It also comes with a threshold ramp for easy access for wheel barrows or wheelchairs and wide double doors.

Halls Highgrove Greenhouse and Base

• Buy now from Dobies (£938.00)

Choose this greenhouse for its unusual curved panels, made with UV-treated acrylic.

In fact, you’ll find several clever design features included in this greenhouse design. There’s a smooth 60cm-wide sliding door for easy access, while a hinged roof vent allows for excellent ventilation.

Opt for the 4’ x 6' greenhouse or the 6' x 6' model if you’re after a fairly compact structure. Alternatively, go for the 8' x 6' version for extra space.

Buy the Halls Highgrove Greenhouse and Base from Dobies

Vale Victorian Greenhouse by Forest Garden

For traditional design and high-quality timber, try the Vale Victorian Greenhouse. The manufacturers use slow-grown, smooth-planed wood to make sure it has a consistent finish. The timber also comes pressure treated to protect it from rot and decay.

Added bonuses include the strong tongue and groove wood cladding around the base of the greenhouse, and the 4mm toughened safety glass across the upper. For ventilation, there are two opening panels in the roof, as well as double doors.

The greenhouse also comes with two full-width shelves on one side, so you can start potting up plants straight away.

Harrod Superior Greenhouse Cool Sage

• Buy now from Harrod Horticultural (£2,320.00)

Strong aluminium roof braces, external roller blinds and integrated guttering make this Victorian greenhouse a practical option, able to stand up to even the roughest British weather.

It also has easy access, thanks to the low-threshold doorway with no step. And there are roof vents and rails for hanging baskets, which makes the greenhouse a versatile choice.

What’s more, you can customise the inside of your greenhouse by selecting optional extras such as staging and shelves. No matter your choice, they’ll come in the same sage tone as the rest of the structure, so it’ll all match perfectly.

Palram Victory Orangery Greenhouse

Sitting towards the more affordable end of the spectrum, the Palram is designed to be a permanent greenhouse structure requiring minimal maintenance that uses modern materials to achieve a classic design.

Its structure is a rust-resistant aluminium and uses panes of clear polycarbonate as a lightweight and almost unbreakable alternative to glass.

It comes with a threshold ramp for easy access for wheel barrows or wheelchairs and wide double doors.

Forest Garden Victorian Walkaround Greenhouse

This is a Victorian greenhouse in miniature, designed with four opening doors in natural timber and styrene glazing, for walk-around access from all sides.

Features like its apex roof are in keeping with traditional greenhouses. Its 989mm x 1239mm footprint means it's also small enough to stand in small gardens where space is a premium, without being too intrusive.

Slatted staging is removable and offers room enough for two grow bag trays. One air vent can also be opened to encourage airflow.

Mottisfont National Trust Collection

• Buy now from National Trust (£20,295.00)

One of eight specially designed Victorian greenhouse in partnership with the National Trust, the Mottisfont free standing glass house combines a stylistic appearance with solid construction.

Sustainability is a key principle to the National Trust and the aluminium frame used is 100% recyclable. It’s also resistant to rust, making it particularly suitable for freestanding glasshouses.

The RHS Portico by Gabriel Ash

• Buy now through the RHS (£16,638.00+)

Steep roof pitches are a key feature of the RHS Portico, which uses narrow panes and wooden cedar panels for a warm, natural appearance.

There is a central porch allowing for access from the side and you’re able to choose from cedre panels or a dwarf wall for the glasshouse to sit on.

Juliana Orangery 10 x 14 Greenhouse

• Buy now from Garden Chic (£5,099.00)

The apex roof and ornate gables give this orangery a grandeur beyond its 10 x 14 size.

Available in aluminium, black or anthracite/black, this glasshouse can be personalised to best suit the space you have available. A low threshold gives it easy access for wheelchairs or for manoeuvring large garden tools in and out.

The integral base is included and there are four roof vents for ventilation along with six downpipes.

Clearview Garden Buildings

• Buy now from Garden Chic (£899.00+)

The redwood pine used to make the frame and shiplap boarding of this traditional greenhouse is managed and sourced to FSC and PEFC standards. It makes a difference to know there’s sustainable materials forming the structure’s simple but sturdy frame.

Standing 8ft 10“ wide and 19ft 6” in length, this Clearview greenhouse should offer plenty of space for both planting and sitting.

Rosemary Greenhouse, National Garden Scheme Collection

• Buy now from Griffin Glasshouse (£26,700.00+)

This beautiful option from Griffin Glasshouse has a very wide porch to make access easier, allow for much more flexibility with your planting schemes.

One of the nice things about this Victorian Greenhouse is that it's part of Griffin's National Garden Scheme collection, which makes a five per cent donation to the charity upon every purchase. There are also plenty of options available with this greenhouse, including built in water storage tanks, flexible shelving and seating, ventilation options and cold frames with lids.

Traditional Greenhouse (10m x 4m) with cold frames

• Buy now from Victorian Greenhouses (£35,760.00+)

This is a luxuriously extravagant Victorian greenhouse that once built, should stand the test of time.

With longevity built into the price, you would get support with everything from design right through to construction with this greenhouse. Designs can be constructed in timber or steel.

WG Grace & Son Greenhouse with lobby

• Buy now from WG Grace & Son (£18,590.00+)

A lobby area in a greenhouse is not only useful but something of a luxury. But with a large porch greenhouse like this, luxury is what you’re getting.

High ceilings offer the opportunity for large climbers like fruit trees to grow upwards and flourish. Grace & Son offer this style of glasshouse in two widths: 2.665 and 3.525 with the opportunity to tailor the length of the glasshouse. So you can choose just how much floor space you’d like.

Bespoke Victorian Lodge

• Buy now from Hartley Botanic (price on application)

This is an opportunity to create a tailor made Victorian glasshouse in keeping with traditional designs but customised to your space.

Narrower glass panes are a typical characteristic of Victorian greenhouses but 4mm toughened safety glass should offer strength and support against poor weather. If a porch is on your features list, this could be a great one to consider.

Greenhouse with dormer porch

• Buy now from Dovetail Greenhouses (£23,000.00+)

Said to be extra strong in construction, the Dovetail greenhouse is made from aluminium frames and designed to withstand extreme weather conditions.

This particular design is a lean-to Victorian glasshouse with a dormer porch and you have the option of grounding this on a brick wall or going with glass from floor to ceiling.

Kingsbury with integrated porch

• Buy now from Woodpecker Joinery (£11,695.00)

Hand crafted, the Kingsbury victorian greenhouse is a mini cedre masterpiece designed to sit as a stand alone garden feature and relaxing space. Its porch measures in at 7ft x 3t.

Double doors also feature to provide easy entry in and out with bulky plants, tools or equipment.

The Croft

• Buy now from White Cottage Greenhouses (£8,598.00)

With a unique dormer entrance, this is a small and perfectly formed Victorian greenhouses designed to provide a protective space for your plants within a minimalist footprint.

White Cottage Greenhouses combine Accoya wood frames and aluminium extrusions to create classic-looking structures with the strength and durability of contemporary glazing and reinforced systems.