Site Specifics
Our clients had recently moved into a period property in a rural area of Clitheroe and desired a new garden design to improve the landscape. The property came with approximately one acre of land, which was extremely poorly drained and suffered ongoing consequences because of its position, which meant the landscape was exposed to high winds and little shade. The surrounding area also caused issues for this garden, due to the fact that the surrounding farmers’ fields drained through the landscape, which caused regular flooding.
With a slope of over 2m from front to back, our clients were struggling to maintain their outdoor space and keep it attractive throughout the year. When they moved into the property, the garden was bereft of any features apart from a tumbledown shed and a poorly laid, insufficient patio to the rear.
Client Brief
Our client had requested us to create a relatively low-maintenance garden with year-round interest, with somewhere to position a hot tub for entertainment and relaxation. They also desired a sunbathing area. As part of this garden design project, we were also asked to fix the drainage.
Alongside the soft landscaping elements of this project, our construction team was needed to create additional parking spaces and usable patio areas.
Design Solution
A land drain system was installed to the perimeter of the garden to catch all field run off. Using a “cut and fill” exercise and building a substantial sleeper retaining wall, the garden was levelled out to create two defined levels: one large sheltered patio area to the rear of the house, and an easy to maintain lawn for the upper level.
The hot tub was sited to the rear of the garden to provide a focal point from the house and because the best views of the hills and valleys were from that area. The hot tub was covered with a traditional oak shelter, and a wraparound stone wall provided a windbreak from prevailing winds.
Low-maintenance wildflower planting was used in large drifts to the boundary of the garden, fitting in with the rural aspect. Planting near the house was more ornamental. For ease of maintenance, planting around the house was done in raised beds.
The project included a lighting scheme. The transition between the two levels was amplified using traditional local stone walling to create a substantial stone and chunky timber arch.
4th Dimension
Our clients were delighted with the garden and have invited us back on numerous occasions to complete seasonal tidy-ups, such as jetwashing the patios and pruning shrubs and plants.
