Set within rolling countryside, this expansive garden was designed to feel both timeless and adaptable — a landscape where classical formality meets the rhythms of contemporary family life. Every element was considered, composed, and crafted with care, from the first mark on the earth to the final piece of stone laid. Working in collaboration with a garden designer and principal contractor, we carried out the full suite of external works across the property, shaping the garden not only as a series of spaces but as a unified, lived-in whole.
The garden is laid out in a sequence of distinct yet connected zones. Closest to the house, soft riven limestone introduces a traditional tone, its texture echoing the history of the property. As one moves outward, the paving shifts — smoother, more refined stone defines the pool terrace and garden buildings, bringing a quiet modernity to the edges of the space. These changes are subtle but purposeful, creating a natural rhythm beneath the feet.
Metal edging runs through the landscape like a thread, cleanly dividing lawn from gravel, paving from border. Each piece was welded on site to follow the garden’s curves precisely, anchoring the softer elements with a gentle strength. The drive is laid with gravel and cobble setts, while self-bound paths lead through orchard, lawn, and play areas, guiding the eye and foot with equal ease.
The planting was layered with texture and intent. Borders were built up using a blend of conditioned soil, horticultural grit, and salvaged topsoil from site — a foundation as considered as the plants themselves. Grasses, perennials, and clipped forms offer contrast and seasonality, while a large billiard lawn, regraded and drained, provides a calm, open counterpoint to the surrounding structure.
Oak plays a defining role in the landscape. Sleeper walls gently retain the land where levels shift, while raised beds bring order and purpose to the productive garden. Oak gates, log stores, and bespoke structures mark transitions between spaces, lending a quiet rhythm to the journey through the garden. Brick walls and stone steps punctuate the layout, offering permanence and weight without disrupting the flow.
In the shade of mature trees, a children’s garden comes to life — an in-ground trampoline, climbing frame, and sandpit sit playfully within the dappled light, accompanied by a pétanque court that adds a touch of grown-up leisure.
Beneath the surface, water and power lines thread invisibly through the site, laid with care to future-proof the garden without ever disrupting its calm. Drainage, demolition, tree removal, and regrading were handled with the same precision and sensitivity. The finished landscape settles into its setting with quiet confidence — a garden of enduring beauty, designed to grow gently into the years ahead.