Garden Design Projects in Wiltshire

the site

The site lies within the “greensand hills” landscape of the Vale of Wardour - an area characterised by small, rounded hills interspersed with stream and river valleys, a large proportion of woodland, and mostly small, irregular fields bounded by hedges with hedgerow trees.

The garden extends to circa ¾ acre on a roughly south-facing slope and has good views to the east (towards Wardour Castle), and to the south-west, albeit being somewhat windswept. The 19th Century greensand and brick house has been extended in several phases, resulting in a pleasingly informal, vernacular appearance.

the brief

The challenging brief called for significant changes, whilst still retaining extensive lawn areas. Although the garden already included some mature elements, the clients had several specific new features in mind:

• a swimming pool, and
• an outside dining area, both to be sheltered from the prevailing winds;
• a new kitchen garden, in a sunnier and more convenient location,
• a softer visual transition to adjoining paddocks, and
• an enhanced driveway and turning area.

Further, the arrangement of the driveway led visitors to the kitchen door, rather than the more impressive front door on the south elevation of the house. The clients wanted the option to encourage visitors to the front door, without sacrificing the existing sense of privacy in the garden.

the design

A swimming pool can look rather depressing in our English winters, even if it's covered, and so we decided to locate it a little away from the house, where it won't be too obvious, but still close enough to avoid the need for a separate pool house for changing etc.. Pergolas to the north and west, together with the existing boundary fences and hedging, combine to create a sense of privacy and offer some shelter from the wind. The sandstone paving around the pool extends into a sunbathing area on the north side for maximum sun.

There is always a special magic about waterside dining, and so we sited the outside dining area along side the pool. It too is sheltered from the prevailing winds by the pergolas and the lowered elevation of the pool area. The dining area is defined by contrasting brick paving.

Although there is something to be said for a vegetable patch that has been cultivated for many years, vegetables and herbs are much more conveniently located close to the back or kitchen door, in full sun, and accessed via an all-weather path. Hence, we moved this to the south facing embankment close to the house.

The original driveway didn't really allow enough space to turn a car around - something one would generally expect with a larger property such as this, and the parking arrangement led one naturally to the kitchen door. Although there wasn't enough room for a turning circle, we were able to create additional turning space and parking for three cars, with a wide path and steps leading to the front door. A line of removable oak bollards, and a row of pleached trees help to guide visitors to the front door, despite it not being directly visible as one enters the driveway.

Areas of un-cut meadow grass, and a shelter belt of carefully placed trees extending into the adjoining paddock, blend the garden into the wider coutryside, and help to provide shelter from the wind. Strategically placed gaps in the tree planting offer views to the landscape beyond.

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