First Tunnels

First Tunnels, manufacturer of domestic and commercial polytunnels in the United Kingdom

First Tunnels is a British company dedicated to the design, manufacture and supply of polytunnels and polythene for domestic and commercial use. With over 32 years of experience, the firm presents itself as a pioneer in the sector and claims to sell more than 3,000 tunnels per year. Its catalogue ranges from small structures for family gardens to large-width installations for professional operations.

Polytunnel catalogue by width

The domestic range is organised by widths of 6ft (1.83m), 8ft (2.44m), 10ft (3.05m), 12ft (3.66m) and 14ft (4.27m). For commercial use, the company sells polytunnels of 16ft (4.88m), 18ft (5.49m), 20ft (6.1m), 22ft (6.71m), 24ft (7.32m), 26ft (7.92m), 28ft (8.53m) and 30ft (9.14m). It also offers mini polytunnels and a specific line of polytunnels for schools.

Applications for educational centres and livestock farming

First Tunnels supplies structures to schools, which use them as a learning space throughout the year. The company states that it has installed tunnels on grass, soil, tarmac and paved areas, in the latter case with grow bags or raised beds. In the livestock sector, it sells polytunnels adapted as shelter for sheep, feed, bedding and equipment, a lower-cost alternative to stone, metal or wooden sheds.

Covers, accessories and spares

The cover catalogue includes Super Therm polythene (200 micron), Smart White (180 micron), Green & White (200 micron) and a net made with 50% density. The company offers a cover calculator and sells spares for fruit cages, replacement tubes for mini polytunnels, polytunnel parts, specialised books, raised beds, netting, adhesive tapes, frost protection, ground cover, weed control, heaters, irrigation systems and spares, cleaning products, staging and benching, and spares for Caterpillar polytunnels. It also sells garden gift vouchers.

Construction service and assembly guides

First Tunnels offers a polytunnel construction service. All structures are supplied with printed guides and step-by-step videos covering the complete assembly process, from initial preparation to the available options, for both domestic and commercial use. The company has a virtual showroom with 360° tours of tunnels of different sizes and of its facilities.

Shipping and delivery times

Orders are clearly packaged and labelled, and include frame components, fixings and instructions. The customer receives a shipping notification with a tracking number. Most kits arrive within five working days via a courier service, with components protected for transport.

Prices, payments and price match promise

The company applies a price match promise: if the customer finds the same polytunnel kit at a lower price from another British supplier, First Tunnels will consider matching it, provided the product is identical, in stock and available for immediate delivery. The site indicated discounts of up to 20% on domestic and commercial polytunnels. The payment methods accepted are credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Maestro), PayPal, Clearpay —with interest-free instalments subject to eligibility— and cheque by post. Card payments are processed through SagePay.

Collaborations and reviews

First Tunnels has collaborated with horticulture and food experts such as Alan Titchmarsh, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Bob Flowerdew, Mark Gatter, Andy McKee, Sam Youd and Paul Peacock on the development of its polytunnels. The company presents itself as the highest-rated polytunnel company on Trustpilot and Google, and participates in four independent review platforms. Orders for domestic or commercial polytunnels include a growing gift package with a bestselling book on polytunnels, a rotating crop planner, seeds and exclusive discounts.

Location and contact

Shorten Brook Way, Altham Industrial Estate, BB5 5YJ · Phone: 01282 601253 · Email: sales@firsttunnels.co.uk