This design creates a harmonious naturalistic garden that celebrates the beauty of the countryside while meeting the everyday needs of a busy family. The vision was to balance functionality with atmosphere: a welcoming space that supports wildlife, provides year-round interest, and offers areas for play, entertaining, and quiet retreat. Sustainability sits at the heart of the design, with low-maintenance planting, re-wilded zones, and eco-conscious features woven throughout.

At the front of the property, the restored dry-stone wall forms a defining feature, complemented by native hedgerows and seasonal planting that softens boundaries while enhancing biodiversity. A wide reclaimed sandstone driveway and characterful Corten steel gates set the tone, blending rustic elegance with durability. Seating areas and ornamental details, such as sandstone benches and subtle lighting, create moments of pause and connection with both neighbours and nature.

The rear garden transitions from the formal terrace near the house into looser, naturalistic planting that reflects the surrounding landscape. A sandstone-paved dining area framed by a pergola offers a sociable hub, while nearby vegetable beds, espalier fruit trees, and a water feature provide productivity and charm. Paths of reclaimed stone link all areas, ensuring accessibility for every member of the family, while a pergola walkway and massed grasses subtly screen boundaries, enhancing privacy without enclosing the space.

Planting has been carefully curated for texture, seasonal change, and ecological value. A calming palette of creams, greens, and rusty reds is enlivened by ornamental grasses, perennials, and native shrubs that provide shelter and food for pollinators. Coastal accents, such as sea thrift and blue fescue, connect the garden to its wider setting, while robust, pest-resistant choices ensure ease of care. The result is a garden that feels both abundant and sustainable, layered with interest yet rooted in simplicity.

This is a timeless design that grows with the family, offering open lawns for children’s play, flexible entertaining areas, and quiet corners for rest and reflection. Practical needs such as dog enclosures, composting, and drying lines are seamlessly integrated without detracting from the garden’s character. The outcome is a living sanctuary: elegant, resilient, and deeply connected to nature.