So will you be removing some of the tarmac to accommodate the hedge? Planting will depend whether there is good soil under the tarmac, if not, then you need to add some good topsoil to the planting holes. As you already have quite a tall wall there I wonder if small trees would be a better choice as hedges do take some time to reach the preferred height. Small trees like Mountain Ash, Hawthorn, Amelanchier and Crab Apple. Dwarf fruit trees are also a good choice.There are many shrubs that can be shaped into a hedge as below. The beech hedge’s leaves go a coppery brown in winter and then fall off in the spring to accommodate the new shoots. My favourite is the Ilex, looks a bit like box but has none of the diseases. Avoid Leylandii as it can grow enormous. The red hedge is Photinia Red Robin and a fast grower.

Thanks Sonia, are these fast growing? And bamboo, is it any good?

Try pleached trees maybe

The Photinia is very fast growing. I don’t know about the others so I would only the RHS website to find that out. www.rhs.org.uk. I bought a tiddly one from Wilkos two years ago and it’s about 8 ft tall now! Bamboo would be a good choice, just make sure you buy the clump forming one otherwise it can put out roots and can shoot up anywhere.

Depending on orientation I'd be dubious with hedging against a wall.

It’s mainly road facing and opposite a school, with passing people peeking through. The window right in front in our formal lounge.

This is the bamboo I had in mind ( of cause clump forming )

Lisa, how tall is your wall? Are you concerned about people looking over the wall or people looking in as they pass your driveway? If you go to a lot of trouble growing hedges or trees along side the wall it’s pointless if they can still look in as they pass the gap. The gap itself looks very wide in the photo so I’m assuming gates are not an option? Perhaps blinds or shutters on the bottom half of your window would be a solution?

More like people looking in, I have blinds already though when open you can see everything inside and I like to keep them open for natural light. My next door lady has her blinds closed off always - not ideal for me.

The wall is 1meter I would presume.

Vertical blinds would allow you to angle them so no one passing the drive could look in but it would still be light and bright inside. Verticals come many designs nowadays and no longer ‘just for the office’!

These are the blinds that we have and here they are fully open, when outside you able to see in

Have you thought about perfectfit blinds? The honeycomb ones can be used to just cover the bottom of the window. One supplier: https://www.blinds-2go.co.uk/perfect-fit-pleated/34892/duolight-arctic-white.html

How about window film which will offer you privacy by day with no obvious physical cover if you keep your blinds raised. By night, you can pull the blinds down.

I’d be wary of thick solid hedging; you could end up feeling hemmed in and gloomy. Some sort of planters with tall shrubs at strategic points maybe? Or some sort of frosted window coverings (that would let in the light).

Window film is an option, is there one that is not mirror looking? I am not a fan of the reflective one. I agree it would feel hemmed in - strategic position is also an option more so near the sold sign post as that is lower

I’d definitely avoid the mirrored film but it is available without that particular effect. I’m just about to have it installed in one of my bedrooms.

Please do share details

If you don’t mind not being able to see outside then window film might be a good option. Simple to use and very effective. You could go with a simple frosted glass look or something with more pattern if you wish. If you google window film you should see several suppliers. Etsy have a good range.

The window film seems like best option, which am leaning towards compared to a hedge; might still put a plant in a certain position as suggested . Thank you all for the great input

I haven’t made my final selection yet but in work last week, a company called Manchester Window Films were in quoting. I had a chat with the rep and looked at some samples - although these were mirrored, it looked good. I want privacy but not highly mirrored which is what I suspect you would be after too. I’m waiting on them coming back to me to see if that’s even possible.

Great, am around Manchester as well so do share details once they come back….thanks!

Thanks Ann, have opted to do the window film

I had the following feedback from the supplier “With One-way Daytime Privacy films it is the reflective element that creates the privacy effect although the degree of reflectiveness varies from a high amount to a more subtle effect.” I’ve decided that’s not for me as I didn’t want a mirrored look. It depends what your thoughts are on that, whether or not it’s any good for you, Lisa.

Thanks for the feedback, the mirrored effect is what I also do not like at all. Though I have seen the slight tint ones and not sure they are ideal for privacy. I am in two minds and will decide over the coming days what I eventually go for. Thanks so much for circling back with me 😊

A sheer privacy roller blind might do the job.