Does Marquee Hire Damage Grass in the UK? What You Need to Know

If you’re planning a garden party, wedding or event at home, one of the top questions people worry about is: will a marquee damage my grass?

The good news is that, with the right preparation and care, marquee hire in the UK usually leaves lawns looking healthy and green once it’s all over.

Below we explain:

• What really causes grass damage

• Why UK weather matters

• How to reduce risk

• What to do after the marquee comes down

This guide brings together real field experience (not just opinions) so you’ll feel confident moving forward with your plans.

1. The Marquee Itself Rarely Causes Permanent Damage.

Not all marquees affect grass in the same way. The type of structure you choose plays a big role in how much impact there is on your lawn.

Yurts.

Yurts are one of the most grass-friendly options available.

• Their weight is spread evenly across a circular base

• They don’t rely on heavy perimeter frameworks

• They allow good airflow, which helps grass underneath recover faster

Because the load is distributed rather than concentrated in one area, yurts typically leave very little lasting impact on lawns, even after several days.

Pole Marquees.

Pole marquees are also relatively gentle on grass when installed correctly.

• Weight is shared between central poles and perimeter supports

• The structure is tensioned rather than heavily weighted

• Ground contact points are limited and predictable

Most grass impact under pole marquees comes from guest movement, not the marquee itself. Any flattening is usually temporary and recovers quickly.

Stretch Tents.

Stretch tents are among the lightest-touch structures you can use on a lawn.

• Flexible fabric allows the tent to be shaped around your garden

• Fewer hard contact points with the ground

• Weight is spread via tension and anchoring rather than heavy frames

Because stretch tents don’t require rigid flooring or dense frameworks as standard, they often cause minimal disturbance, particularly for shorter events.

What About Other Types of Marquees?

Traditional clear-span or frame marquees (often used for large weddings or corporate events) can still be lawn-safe, but they:

• Tend to be heavier

• Often require more flooring

• Can involve more vehicle movement during installation

That doesn’t mean they’re bad for grass just that additional protection measures (like flooring or ground mats) become more important.

Tipis (Large Kata-Style Event Tipis)

Large event tipis, such as kata-style tipis, can also be very lawn-friendly when properly installed.

• Weight is distributed through a central pole system

• Natural airflow and height reduce heat build-up underneath

• Limited framework keeps ground pressure relatively low

As with pole marquees, any grass impact is more likely to come from foot traffic rather than the tipi structure itself. With sensible planning and, where needed, matting in high-use areas, grass recovery is typically straightforward.

While we don’t supply these last two types of structure ourselves, experienced event professionals who do provide clear-span and frame marquees or Event Tipis will be more than happy to talk through the specific ground and lawn considerations for these structures, and how best to protect your garden.

Photo: Sonderlust Photography • Venue: The Lakeside at Wild Berry Farm • Structure: Yurt & Stretch Tent

How Flooring & Matting Affects Grass.

For larger structures and higher-traffic events, some form of flooring or matting is often essential both for guest comfort and to protect the ground from heavy footfall.

At Funky Monkey Tents, we use DandyDura® matting in all of our large structures. It’s a professional, heavy-duty system designed to:

• Create a stable, uniform surface

• Spread weight evenly

• Prevent mud and soil compaction in wet conditions

However, it’s important to be aware of how any matting system can affect grass.

Why Matting Can Cause Yellowing.

The most common effect we see with matting is temporary yellowing of the grass underneath once it’s removed.

This happens because:

• The matting blocks sunlight

• Airflow to the grass is reduced

• Moisture can be trapped, especially in warm or wet weather

In UK conditions, grass under matting essentially goes into a short dormant phase. It’s not dead, it’s just had a break from light.

Is This Permanent Damage?

In our experience: no.

Once the matting is lifted and the grass is exposed again:

• Colour typically starts to return within 1–2 days

• Full recovery often follows with sunlight, watering and light aeration

Lawns are surprisingly resilient, and even areas that look quite yellow at first generally recover well.

Why We Still Recommend Matting.

Despite the temporary colour change, matting often reduces overall lawn damage, particularly when:

• There’s heavy guest traffic

• The event runs during wet weather

• Furniture, bars or dance floors are involved

Without matting, the risk of:

• Deep compaction

• Mud churn

• Long-lasting ruts

is usually much higher.

So while matting may cause more visible yellowing initially, it often results in a healthier lawn in the long run.

Our Honest Advice.

We always balance:

• Event needs

• Ground conditions

• Time of year

Every garden and every season behaves a little differently, which is why we tailor our approach rather than applying a one-size-fits-all solution. Based on our experience, here’s what you can realistically expect:

Photo: Kirsty Kay Photography • Venue: The Gardens at Polehanger • Structure: The Earl Pole Marquee

Typical Hire Periods (3–4 Days)

For most events lasting three to four days, we usually see little to no visible yellowing of the grass, even when matting is used. This is especially true in spring and early summer when lawns are actively growing.

Longer Hire Periods.

When structures and matting remain in place for longer than a few days, some yellowing is more likely.This is simply due to reduced light and airflow rather than damage to the grass itself.

Summer Installations.

In summer, we aim to keep things as breathable as possible:

• We typically use breathable matting without plastic sheeting

• This allows air circulation and reduces heat build-up

• Grass beneath often recovers very quickly once exposed

Interestingly, during particularly dry spells, the moisture retained beneath matting can actually help improve grass condition, acting a bit like a protective cover.

Winter & Very Wet Conditions.

In winter and occasionally during very wet summer periods, we may place plastic sheeting beneath the matting.

This is done to:

• Prevent water seeping up into the structure

• Keep the event space dry and safe

• Avoid deep saturation and soil damage from repeated foot traffic

While plastic does increase the likelihood of temporary yellowing, it often prevents far more serious lawn damage, such as compaction or churned mud.

The key point is that this yellowing is temporary, and recovery is expected once the area is uncovered.

Photo: Howell Jones Photography • Venue: Private venue, Hexton Hertfordshire • Structure: Grand Pavilion Yurt

Balancing Event Success & Lawn Health.

Our approach is always about balance:

• Protecting your lawn

• Keeping guests comfortable

• Ensuring the event runs smoothly in real UK weather

We’ll always explain our recommendations in advance, based on:

• Time of year

• Ground conditions

• Length of hire

• Type of structure

So you know exactly what to expect and why.

2. What Really Affects Your Lawn.

There are a few main causes of lawn damage and they’re not always about the marquee structure itself:

UK Weather & Soil Conditions.

UK lawns vary a lot:

• Clay-rich soils hold water and soften quickly

• Heavy rain makes turf more vulnerable beneath weight

• Dry, well-drained lawns recover faster

Soft, wet lawns are simply more prone to temporary depressions and compaction especially where guests walk or stand.

Foot Traffic and Other Suppliers.

Foot traffic often causes more impact than the marquee itself:

• Guests entering/exiting

• Catering trucks

• Generators and toiletsThese can soften tread paths, especially if it’s wet.

Pro tip: Adding walkways or mats where possible directs traffic away from vulnerable patches.

Flooring Choices Matter.

Adding appropriate flooring:

• Reduces soil compaction

• Minimises muddy patches in wet weather

• Gives a flat, stable surface for chairs and tables

Some companies use wooden boards or plastic systems designed to spread weight evenly meaning less ground impact than foot traffic alone. We always use matting not boards and discussed this earlier in this article.

3. How Long the Marquee Stays Up Makes a Difference.

Grass covered for:

• 1–3 days → minimal impact

• 4–10 days → some yellowing possible, but usually temporary

• More than 10 days → slight increased risk, but still usually reversible

If your event goes on for longer than a couple of days, talk to your supplier about suitable flooring to protect the lawn.

4. UK-Specific Dry Weather vs. Wet Weather Scenarios.

• In drier months, grass under cover may go slightly dormant, turning paler but returning quickly. Sometime even improving in extreme dry weather.

• After prolonged rain, soil compaction can be higher and mud more likely.

Either way, grass itself is resilient and will generally recover once:

1. Light is restored

2. Traffic stops

3. Soil is open again

5. Simple Lawn Preparation Tips Before Hire.

To give your lawn the best chance:

• Mow grass slightly shorter than usual

• Water lightly in dry spells (but avoid soggy ground)

• Mark any underground pipes or sprinkler systems

• Cutting the grass short also helps installers get a more level surface.

6. After Your Event: Recovery Care.

Once the marquee is removed:

• Gently rake any flattened areas

• Aerate with fork tines

• Water in warm weather

• Apply lawn feed if needed

A bit of post-event care helps recovery and restores lushness sooner.

7. The Bottom Line: Will Your Lawn Be Okay?

Yes, in almost all UK garden marquee cases, grass recovers fully.

• Any impact is usually temporary

• Discolouration and slight flattening are normal

• Proper flooring + prep dramatically reduces visible signs

  
  

Garden lawns are surprisingly resilient and by planning a few simple steps, you can enjoy your event without fear of permanent damage.

Does Marquee Hire Damage Grass in the UK: The Key Takeaway.

Across all marquee types, permanent lawn damage is rare.

In most UK gardens:

• Any yellowing comes from lack of light, not dead grass

• Flattened areas recover once traffic stops

• Grass typically returns to normal within a few weeks

Choosing a structure that suits your garden and installing it with care makes a far bigger difference than the marquee style alone.

We would love to hear about your plans Contact us today for a free site assessment and honest advice on protecting your lawn, because every garden is different: info@funkymonkeytents.co.uk

Photo: Paul Ruffle Photography • Venue: Private venue, Uxbridge • Structure: Grand Pavilion Yurt