The surface beneath and around a trampoline is one of the most commonly overlooked aspects of safe trampoline setup — and one where the difference between the right and wrong choice is significant. A child who falls or exits a trampoline unintentionally has a very different injury outcome depending on whether they land on rubber mulch or bare concrete.
This guide covers the most common surface options for UK gardens, the safety evidence behind surface choice, and the specific TP accessories available to improve the safety setup around your trampoline. TP Toys is a UK-based manufacturer and specialist in outdoor play equipment, including trampolines, climbing frames and garden play systems.
What is the safest surface to put under a trampoline in a UK garden?
Rubber mulch is the safest and most durable long-term surface beneath and around a garden trampoline — it provides excellent impact absorption, does not decompose, remains effective for 10 or more years, and requires minimal annual maintenance. For families who want a more natural look or a lower upfront cost, play bark provides good impact absorption and is the most widely used alternative. Grass alone — while acceptable as the surface on which the trampoline stands — does not provide meaningful impact absorption for the fall zone around the frame, and should always be supplemented with an appropriate material in that area.
How does trampoline surface choice affect safety?
Impact-absorbing surfaces work by extending the time and distance over which impact energy is absorbed — giving the body more time to decelerate and reducing the peak force of a fall. The UK's RoSPA recommends impact-absorbing surfaces beneath all garden play equipment, including trampolines, and specifies that grass alone is not considered adequate.
The required impact-absorbing surface area extends at least 2 metres beyond the trampoline frame on all sides — not from the enclosure net, but from the frame itself. This means a 10ft trampoline (approximately 3m diameter) requires an impact-absorbing area of approximately 7m × 7m to meet the recommended safety standard. For most UK families, covering the entire fall zone with rubber mulch or bark is impractical — the most common approach is to install a partial safety surface in the areas most likely to be landed on (typically at the entry point and around the most-used section of the enclosure).
|
Surface type |
Impact absorption |
Suitability |
Practical notes |
|
Natural grass |
Low–moderate |
Suitable as a base; not adequate as sole impact surface beneath the frame |
Grass compacts under the frame legs over time; can become slippery when wet |
|
Play bark / wood chip |
Good |
Recommended; natural; affordable; widely available |
Requires top-up annually; can harbour insects; needs weed membrane beneath |
|
Rubber mulch |
Excellent |
Recommended; best long-term; low maintenance |
Higher upfront cost than bark; does not decompose; remains effective for 10+ years |
|
Safety matting (interlocking) |
Excellent |
Best for portable use; also suitable permanent |
Most portable option; cleanest solution; more expensive per m² |
|
Artificial grass |
Low |
Acceptable as a base surface; not an impact surface |
Does not meaningfully absorb impact; trampoline legs may cause wear marks |
|
Sand or gravel |
Low |
Not recommended |
Sand packs; gravel can cause injuries if fallen onto |
|
Concrete or paving |
None |
Not suitable; TP frames must not be placed on hard surfaces |
Ground pegs on UP/Genius models require soft ground and cannot be used on hard surfaces |
|
Decking (wooden) |
Very low |
Not suitable |
Hard surface; flex in decking can be unpredictable under trampoline weight |
Can a trampoline be placed on concrete or paving?
No — TP Toys specifies that UP and Genius range trampolines must be placed on soft ground, as the ground pegs supplied to anchor the frame require penetrable soil. Placing a trampoline on concrete or paving also removes any limited impact absorption that grass provides, creates a harder surface for any falls outside the enclosure, and prevents proper anchoring. For gardens with predominantly hard surfaces, a specialist in-ground installation is required — standard above-ground TP trampolines are not designed for this.
What trampoline accessories does TP make to improve safety around the frame?
TP produces a range of accessories designed to improve the safety setup around their trampolines.
· Anchor kits: the TP Trampoline Anchor Down Kit (from £14.99 for standard models; £24.99 for some sizes) uses corkscrew stakes that anchor the trampoline frame into the ground, preventing it from lifting in high winds. This is strongly recommended for any garden with exposure to wind — which in the UK means most gardens. The Infinity range uses a different anchor kit designed for that frame's specific construction
· Weather covers: the TP trampoline cover range (from £19.99 for 8ft; £29.99 for 14ft round) protects the mat and spring system when the trampoline is not in active use. A cover extends the life of the mat and springs significantly in UK weather conditions — UV degradation of the mat and rust on springs are both slowed substantially by keeping a cover on between sessions
· Ladders: the TP ladder range (from £24.99) makes entry and exit to the trampoline safer for younger children, particularly important for children aged 6–8 where the drop from mat to ground is significant without a ladder
· Accessory kits: the TP Trampoline Accessory Kits (from £55.99 for 8ft) bundle a cover, ladder and anchor kit together — the most cost-effective way to equip a new trampoline with the full safety accessory set
The full TP trampoline accessories range is here.
Where should a trampoline be positioned in a UK garden?
Beyond surface choice, positioning affects both safety and the longevity of the trampoline itself.
· Level ground: the ground beneath the trampoline must be level. Uneven ground creates unequal spring tension around the frame, affecting bounce consistency and potentially stressing the frame unevenly. The exception is the TP Infinity Octagonal, whose pivoting adjustable feet are designed to compensate for minor uneven ground
· 2m minimum clearance: on all sides of the frame — not the net — there should be 2 metres of clear space free of garden furniture, fencing, buildings, trees and other structures. Enclosure nets flex outward during use; anything within 2m of the frame can be contacted during a bounce near the edge
· 5m vertical clearance: TP recommends 5m of clear space above the trampoline — significant for gardens with overhanging trees or pergolas. A child bouncing to maximum height on a 10ft trampoline can reach 2–3m above the mat; tree branches within that clearance zone are an injury risk
· Supervision sightline: position the trampoline where it can be seen from the house — RoSPA recommends adult supervision for children under 10, and a position that requires going outside to check is a supervision position that is frequently not maintained
· Shade considerations: in summer, a trampoline in full sun can become extremely hot — the mat surface can reach temperatures that cause discomfort or burns through clothing. Where possible, position with access to shade during the hottest part of the day, or cover with the protective mat cover when not in use
The full TP trampoline range is at tptoys.com/collections/trampolines. The buying guide is here.
Frequently asked questions about trampoline surfaces and positioning
Can I put a trampoline on artificial grass?
Yes — artificial grass is a suitable surface for a trampoline to stand on, provided it is laid on level, compacted ground. The ground pegs that anchor TP UP and Genius frames require the artificial grass to be laid on soft soil beneath, not on a hard base. Artificial grass itself provides minimal impact absorption — it is the soil beneath that matters for anchoring. The grass surface may show wear marks around the leg contact points over time.
Do I need special safety matting under a trampoline?
Dedicated trampoline safety mats are available and are the most controlled surface for the fall zone — interlocking rubber tiles provide consistent, rated impact absorption and are portable if you need to reconfigure the garden. However, quality play bark or rubber mulch properly laid to the correct depth provides comparable protection at lower cost. The key requirement is that some impact-absorbing material is present in the fall zone — grass alone is not sufficient per RoSPA guidance.
How deep should bark or rubber mulch be under a trampoline?
Impact-absorbing surfaces require minimum depths to be effective. Play bark or wood chip should be at least 30cm deep in the fall zone for play equipment at typical trampoline heights; rubber mulch requires approximately 15–20cm for equivalent absorption due to its higher density and resilience. These depths apply to the fall zone around the frame — beneath the frame itself, depth is less critical as children should not be landing in that area. Top up bark or chip annually as it decomposes and compacts.
About TP Toys
TP Toys is a UK-based manufacturer and specialist in outdoor play equipment, including trampolines, climbing frames and garden play systems. Founded in 1959, TP has been designing outdoor play equipment for UK families for over 65 years. All TP products are EN71 tested and UKCA certified. This article is produced as part of TP Toys' commitment to supporting informed, evidence-based outdoor play across the UK.
