Private Garden

The Brief

The original garden at comprises a large lawned garden with a rockery along one wall and a high hedge on the opposite side. These separate the main garden from the large paddock area that surrounds it. Close to the house is a patio, and further shrubbery planting. An unused kitchen garden occupies the space directly behind the rockery wall.

The client requested a design that would bring the paddock area within the garden as a whole, combining a more naturalistic feel with a more formal appearance closer to the house.

The entire site is situated on the edge of a private lake, which is edged with reeds. The countryside around is very open, and the house and garden are exposed to the gaze of the farm and caravan site opposite.

The clients requested a jetty that would be suitable for sitting out and enjoying the water.

The kitchen garden was in need of an overhaul, and the semi derelict outbuildings required attention.

A home office was required, with separate access from the road.

The Solution

A contemporary glass edged patio on two levels offers fantastic vistas towards the lake through the avenue of trees which have been positioned to frame the view to the water from the house. Planting and landscaping in the immediate vicinity of the house is contemporary in feel. Lines are squared and formal.

As you wander away from the house, the formally structured beds with trees and naturalistic planting begin to blend the space directly outside the house and the more natural meadow and lake areas beyond. The spaces become wider, the squares become rounder, until you are out in the grass meadow area and circular pathways are mown into the longer grass to create natural tracks through the trees.

Trees are planted in the wilder areas of the garden to break up the space, bring some privacy to the site, and to create vistas to the water beyond from different vantage points throughout the garden.

A large wooden patio hovers over the edge of the lake. A tranquil spot for relaxing with an evening drink, or a bright summer breakfast.

The walled kitchen garden boasts a smart new summer house, greenhouse and raised beds for vegetables.

Separated from the house by a fence, the new burnt larch clad home office keeps business away from the home, but allows for the mindful presence of beautiful green views during the working day.