Gallery

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A large garden near Lamerton

A year ago, I had the absolute privilege to be asked by a family to design for them a garden in their field next to their home. I began planning work a year ago and the designed area covers around 2,500m² with the remaining areas of the field to be planted with trees and a meadow. Working closely with my clients, ensuring the garden responded to the remit, this had to be a personal place, sensory and atmospheric, a place for meditation and connection. Keen to embrace a spirit of celebration and collaboration, I have used a variety of different materials in the hard-landscaping. Skilled craftsmen and artisans, each expert in their field of specialism, have brought beautiful structures to this garden, which has evolved to become a very special place.

The hard-landscaping is being undertaken by Phil Wheldon (rural contractor) and his team, Will, Ruben, Chris and Dave.

The dry-stone walling was undertaken by Lloyd Wheldon.

The star-paving design and granite water-feature was designed by Phil Wheldon.

The pergola was built by Tamar Joinery Company (tamarjoinerycompany.co.uk).

The iron arbor was designed and constructed by Gary at Tor Royal Forge (princetownforge.com).

The white marble sculpture was designed and created by Jo Ansell (joansell.co.uk).

19th August 2025

The hard-landscaping now complete in the courtyard area, and planting a large, mature tree in the central bed

The granite trough water-feature and the white marble sculpture

The sculpture created by Jo Ansell commands a serene, vital presence throughout the garden. I recommended Jo to my client because of the exquisite, flowing curves in her pieces, and also because her chosen medium is almost pure white marble. The statue gracefully stands at the end of a yew and white hydrangea Walk (yet to be planted). She is ever present in the adjacent courtyard garden, visible through a circular window in the end-wall of the oak pergola. Walking along the pergola, there is the illusion that she becomes smaller as you advance. The Yew Walk is accessed via steps leading from a Lavender Walk, where she once again, becomes the uninterrupted focal point of this pensive area of the garden.

Drone images of the courtyard area, the star-paved alcove, and the iron arbor being lowered into place

Early days

A sloped garden in Tavistock

This garden originally had a pebbly, artificial stream running down one side and a sloped lawn. The garden was stripped back so that terracing now provides usable sitting areas. Curved steps give coherency to an upper seating area with a pergola, and the water feature is now a circular pool with a cascading waterfall. Soft planting, the sound of water and cool colour tones of plants, painted pergola and fence provide the owners of this garden with a peaceful and beautiful place to be in.

A sloped garden in Whitchurch

Another sloped garden which required levelling and restructuring to create usable areas and an injection of character. When I arrived, an uninviting set of narrow, granite steps led to a lower courtyard where the clients enjoyed sitting and eating. As lovely as these steps were, they presented a rather narrow, awkward entranceway. Curved, open steps now replace these, gently guiding the visitor to the sitting area below. The granite steps have definitely not gone to waste! They have been relocated further up the garden, where they are much better suited creating an elegant access from a levelled lawn with a central granite trough, to an upper area with a pergola.

A new-build garden in Tavistock

On my arrival, this was a typical 'new build' garden with a strip of paving, too narrow for setting up outdoor table and chairs, and an expanse of lawn. This was a level garden (not too many of those in Tavistock!) so we definitely needed some vertical interest. A pergola now wends its way towards a relaxing sitting area next to a pool. In turn, the pergola creates a vista of a bench set in meadow planting, and the Devon bank beyond with its stately oak tree makes the garden feel at one with the surrounding countryside. Because a mature feel was needed for this garden, large trees were planted to instantly provide a sense of establishment.

A vegetable patch in a garden near Mary Tavy

A previously barren vegetable garden was transformed into a bourgeoning potager, designed to look its very best on August 1st. This is the day of the Pagan autumn harvest, and as such, the chosen date for a Pagan family wedding, taking place in their garden. A space for guests to wander around, and fortunately, a day with glorious weather too!