Will a bouncy castle fit in my garden?

Measure your space, put it in below, and we'll show which of the castles listed by Surrey hire companies fit, including the room they need around them.

Updated 7 October 2026

Top-down plan of your space with the largest castle footprint that fitsBack of the garden

How to measure

  1. Find the flattest stretch of lawn and measure its width and its depth (front to back) in feet or metres.
  2. Look up as well as across. Washing lines, low branches and overhead cables need to be well clear of the castle's height.
  3. Check where the nearest outdoor-safe plug socket is. The blower runs the whole time the castle is up.
  4. Measure the narrowest point on the way in, such as a side gate or passage. The castle arrives rolled up and is heavy, so tell the company about steps or long carries.

The space around the castle

A castle needs more room than its own footprint. Surrey hire companies typically ask for about 2 to 3 ft on each side for the anchor stakes and ropes, 3 to 5 ft behind for the blower, and about 4 ft at the front for the safety mats where children get on and off. Our checker uses 2.5 ft, 3 ft and 4 ft. If the company lists a "space needed" figure for a castle, use theirs.

For example, a typical castle in our listings is 12 × 15 ft, so it needs roughly 17 × 22 ft of flat ground. The most compact castle we list is 5 × 5 ft, which needs about 10 × 12 ft.

Grass, patios and slopes

Castles are normally pinned down with long metal stakes, so a lawn is ideal. On hard ground they have to be held with heavy weights instead: HSE guidance says at least 163 kg at every anchor point, with soft matting where people could fall. That is why many hire companies will only set up outdoors on real grass, and some won't use artificial grass either. If your space is a patio, decking or tarmac, ask before you book.

Indoors

In a hall, the ceiling matters as much as the floor. Measure the lowest point, including lights and beams, and allow at least a foot above the castle's height. Tick "It's indoors" in the checker and add your ceiling height. Our indoor hire guide lists the lowest castles available.

Find castles in your town

Each town page lists the castles that can be delivered there, with the footprint of each, and you can sort by the biggest or smallest.

Common questions

How much space does a 12 × 12 ft bouncy castle need?

About 17 × 19 ft of flat ground, allowing roughly 2.5 ft each side, 3 ft behind for the blower and 4 ft at the front for safety mats. Check the company's own "space needed" figure, as some ask for more.

Can a bouncy castle go on a patio or artificial grass?

Sometimes. On hard ground the castle must be held down with heavy weights instead of stakes, and many Surrey hire companies will only set up outdoors on real grass. Tell the company your surface when you book.

Does the ground need to be flat?

Yes, as flat as you can find. Look for the most level part of the garden and clear stones, toys and dog mess first. If your only space slopes, ask the hire company before you book.

Sources

Checked 7 October 2026. Hire companies' own policies are given as examples of common practice, not rules.