With 12 acres Grade I listed grounds and renowned memorial spaces, Golders Green Crematorium, North London, is one of the most historic and revered sites of its kind in the world.
Keeping standards consistently high falls to a small, dedicated team – and their latest secret is the Etesia Hydro 100 ride-on mower.
Investing in the right machinery was a top priority from the start, recalls head gardener Ian Harman. “We’re a team of just four and we’re constantly busy with everything from maintaining rose beds to managing formal lawns and the large scatter lawn. Machinery plays a key role in helping us work efficiently, especially with the tight spaces and tree cover we deal with here.”
Ian had heard positive things about Etesia mowers and decided to turn to the brand after becoming frustrated following issues using a different manufacturer. “Our last mower just kept clogging,” he explains. “It slowed us down massively. When I came into the role, I went on a demo day and was really impressed with the Hydro 100, so decided to go with it.”
Results speak for themselves. “We’ve put about 60 hours on the Hydro 100 and had absolutely no clogging. It leaves a clean cut, picks up leaves and grass efficiently, even in wet conditions, and saves us lots of time. It also mulches the leaves as it goes, which helps with composting.”
For a site like Golders Green, where space is at a premium and storage is limited, the compact design of the mower has also helped. “We couldn’t store a large tractor-style machine and we don’t need one,” Ian adds.
“This mower is the perfect size. You get the benefits of a large collection box with the manoeuvrability needed for tighter areas. It’s like having a garden vacuum—clean, simple, and effective.”

Straightforward machine
Ease of maintenance and usability were also deciding factors. “It’s a straightforward machine, fuel efficient, easy to service, and intuitive to operate. You’ve got a hydrostatic drive, simple controls and changing cut height is quick – ideal if you hit a patch that’s slightly overgrown.”
Adam Nicholls, a gardener at the crematorium for more than 11 years, agrees. “We’ve got a lot of trees here and the Etesia is the best machine we’ve found for picking up leaves. The open chute design just swallows them, wet or dry, and shoots them straight into the back. No blockages, no messing about.”
Versatility across the crematorium’s varied terrain eases the job. “The mower handles tight corners just as well as big open areas. Even in damp conditions, the finish is clean and professional. It’s the easiest mower I’ve ever used.”
The Hydro 100 is powered by an 18HP Kawasaki engine and features a 500 l grass collector with hydraulic tipping, which can be emptied from the seat. With a modern hydrostatic transmission and differential lock, it’s designed for durability, comfort, and productivity, especially in demanding, high-collection environments.
Etesia dealer RT Machinery supplied the machine. “I’ve known Scott Reynolds for years,” says Ian. “They helped us choose the right model for our needs – no upselling, just honest advice.”
Compact, reliable and efficient, the Etesia Hydro 100 has proved the right solution for the Crematorium’s particular needs.
To watch a video of the customer in action click here.
www.etesia.co.uk