THE STARTING POINT

The garden was largely a blank canvas, consisting mostly of a large, uneven, weedy lawn, surrounded on two sides beautiful high, weathered red brick walls. A stand of very large mature yews surrounded by a large laurel hedge adjacent to the house dominated it and blocked the views. They made the area beneath dark and uninviting, hiding the little brick built Rectors Loo (also listed).

THE TRANSFORMATION

A palette of traditional natural materials in muted tones and colours were selected for the hard landscaping, in keeping with the stye and history of the house, contrasting gently with the weathered red brick walls on either side of the garden.

All but one of the large, overbearing Yews were removed, transforming this dark uninviting part of the garden into a a lovely sunny area. The green house will be place here once permission has been granted. In front of the green house, are the raised beds for the cutting garden and the lovely little original ‘Rector’s Loo’ which is being restored and will be used as a potting shed can now be truly appreciated.

Near to the house, the style of the garden is formal. Leading from the back door, a grid of formal planting is set into the terrace, with a dining terrace to one side and on the other a pair of armchairs provide a place to relax and enjoy the view of the garden and country side beyond. A low formal clipped hedge and topiary shaped define the terrace and creates a divide from the newly sown lawn.

Moving away from the house the style of the garden becomes less formal. An ‘orchard’ set into longer meadow-like grass, contrasting wonderfully with the closely mown lawn and leads to an inviting terrace with comfortable sofas, at the end of the garden, protected on two sides by the lovely brick walls of the garden, its a lovely spot to enjoy the last of the sun’s rays and enjoy a cooling drink, whilst listening to the sound of running water from the nearby water feature and enjoying the views back to the beautifully restored house.

In the opposite corner the large naturalistic pond, acts as a magnet for wildlife – the local wild ducks popping in to check it out, brings, and the sound of moving water and reflections of the sky to the garden, a bench overlooking the pond, a lovely spot to enjoy a quiet cup of tea and the views across the garden and country side beyond.

The beautiful weathered red brick walls on each side of the garden are set off by climbing plants , a very old vine has been renovated and the lush deep borders are planted with a range of plants that will provide colour, interest and structure to the garden all year.

Estate style fencing between garden and fields beyond with a border of grasses and meadow-like flowering perennials, give the impression that the country side beyond is part of the garden and ensures that the views are not obscured in any way.

The result is a garden that sits naturally within its location, a harmonious blend of architecture, landscape, and nature, a haven for our clients to enjoy throughout the year.