- Alan Pritchard
Paving and hot tub
The existing garden had become overgrown and unmanageable. What is created is a fusion between classic (cottage garden) and modern (romantic) styles. A colour pallete of whites, creams, purples and pinks is used to give a sense of tranquillity. Formal paving leads up steps made using the original flagstones to the front door. The patio has small flower beds to soften the expanse of grey sandstone flags containing formal seating for entertaining. Stepping up two large curved steps with inbuilt lighting, takes you up to the lush green thyme lawn where, stepping stones allow you to reach another smaller, more intimate seating area that catches the last of the evening sun. Here you can enjoy views back into the garden whilst being surrounded and enclosed by the beech hedge and evergreen shrubs and high flowers. From the stepping stones, you are led to a large hot tub surrounded by shrubby evergreen planting, perfect for relaxing in the evening. Walking down from the hot tub, you pass the back door along a path that uses cobbles and flagstones to create unity and pattern with the other areas of the garden. Walking up large spiral steps, you are taken away from the property up a flagstone path to a white picket fence which denotes the boundary marked by a large sliver birch tree under planted with azaleas.

The site before was quite overgrown, unused and unconnected.

The overgrown lavender, shrubs and trees completely block views of the gorge. This made the garden feel unusable and look much smaller than it was.

After building retaining walls, hardcore was compacted down ready for paving to be laid.

Finished paving with integrated beds created a great entertaining area. Two curved steps with walk over lights lead to the enclosed garden.

Cobble edging was used throughout the garden to provide unity and a sense of connection for all the spaces.

A thyme lawn surrounded by cobbles and sandstone paving.
