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A private garden in North Cotswolds

Designer: Mark Draper

Our work on this property focused on creating a cohesive relationship between the house and garden, while ensuring all elements flowed smoothly together.

We collaborated closely with the architects to establish a seamless blend between the home and its outdoor spaces, ultimately transforming both.

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Drive and Garden Design

The new drive was designed to sweep in from a lower point in the garden, creating a need for screening that maintained privacy while drawing the eye to the new front entrance. Establishing a connection with the surrounding landscape was key to our approach—maximising the stunning views and integrating the house with the broader environment. We incorporated fruit trees and parkland-style tree planting to enhance the visual relationship between the garden and the wider landscape.

Seating areas and paved pathways were designed to surround the property, with one area specifically created for covered outdoor living, including a simple cooking area. Beswick Stone paving was selected for its compatibility with Cotswold stone, providing a modern touch that complemented the updated property, along with clay brick detailing for added character. A small vegetable growing area was positioned to the side of the new garage, bordered by a mixed native hedge, and a variety of ornamental trees were planted, with native species introduced further out to maintain a natural transition into the landscape.

A swimming pool was also part of the client’s request. While the pool’s construction wasn’t part of our scope, we designed the walling and paving around it. The pool’s placement was carefully considered to avoid obstructing views and to ensure it didn’t dominate the garden. We achieved this by sinking the pool into the lawn area – a decision that has proved highly successful.

Garden Features and Final Outcome

Overall, the garden design has transformed this property into a harmonious and inviting space. Soft, textural planting was used in the border areas, with the borders concentrated closer to the house, allowing the lawn to blend seamlessly into the broader landscape. The existing post and rail fencing was replaced with estate fencing, which added a lighter, more open feel to the garden, enhancing the connection with the surrounding fields.

The careful planning of the garden’s features, from the screening of the drive to the thoughtfully placed seating areas, has helped create a relaxing and aesthetically pleasing environment. The clients are thrilled with the result, and we believe the garden will only get better as it matures, becoming an integral part of this beautifully transformed home. The project has achieved its goal of revitalising the property, ensuring it feels alive and connected, both to the house itself and to the stunning landscape beyond.

 

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Garden Design Company?

Graduate Gardeners cover all of Gloucestershire and the surrounding counties and we will travel further afield for larger projects – 01452 770273