The Manor

the Manor

The clients initially proposed a terrace of resin bound gravel but we were fearful of the impact of such a dramatic monoculture of hard landscaping. Delving deeper into the brief, we discovered that a newly created Orangery was a key place they both enjoyed, whilst a replacement conservatory had also recently been commissioned.

Crucially, both these spaces had fabulous vistas out across the river and the wider estate, towards wild flower meadows and woodlands.
Raised beds were hence created, to frame these vistas, dressed with English limestone, and planted up with multi stemmed specimen Tibetan Cherries.

In addition an under planting of Japanese Forest Grass had pops of colour as Alliums, Geums and Echinacea ‘White Swan’ emerged. Now the resin bound gravel linked the areas together rather than dominated, finished with a stunning lighting and furniture scheme as the icing on the cake.

This project won the BALI National Landscape Awards for 2024 in the in the Domestic Garden Construction category.

Judge Elizabeth Connelly said…

This well considered design to meet the changing needs of the client was executed well. With care and attention on maintaining established features and trees while framing existing views and creating the connection between the property, its new additions and the surrounding landscape.

The scheme, while initially might seem simple, had a number of challenges that were noted including SuDS compliancy, the re-siting of stone, the extent of resin, the stone cutting plans and creation of an engaging but delicate planting palette that satisfied an exacting client - all of which was executed to a good standard that achieved the client’s brief and created a very pleasant space to be within. There was good attention to detail and finish throughout, but some elements detracted very slightly from the overall finish including the light channel into the stone coping which, in places had come adrift, and the variable sizes in joints across both York and English Limestone. Additional care around existing root plate levels and finished paving levels should also be borne in mind wherein upstand may be beneficial. Of additional note was the ’The Garden Design Company’s’ dedication to the planting success, ensuring that damaged trees were rejected, and suitable selection made to match and establishment of wider planting design. Overall, the scheme was executed to a good standard with some delightful details to create a domestic garden terrace of a high standard.”

Client, Catherine said…

We live in a 15th century Manor House with quite an extensive garden. The garden was quite cluttered with a lot of small beds with box hedges around the beds and Ligustrum and Hornbeam trees growing in the beds and around the house. It took an awful lot of work to keep the garden tidy with a lot of hedges and Ligustrum cutting and pruning. Rob had done a lot of work on my sister`s garden so we decide to ask him to give our garden a “make over”. He and his team have done a marvellous job transforming our garden. All the little beds have been replaced by 3 large raised beds each with a beautiful cherry tree. Where we had lots of gravel paths, these have been replaced with resin gravel, so no weeds. We have a river running through our garden which had a crazy paving path which was all broken and twisted. This has been replaced with a lovely York stone path. The whole garden has been transformed. His team have done an amazing job working in some of the worst weather we have had.

Read our latest newsletter 2024/ 2025

From our latest garden transformations, to Greenfingers projects, exciting new designers and GDC in the media…

Read our comprehensive design guide

An incredibly visual guide to garden design showing illustrative masterplans, sketches, 3D visualisations, lighting plans and more…

Have you seen our eco bug hotels?

This fab bug hotel was commissioned especially for Blue Peter and we had a fun day assembling it in the famous Blue Peter garden…

GDC in the media

We’ve been lucky enough to have several of our projects featured in the media. To read some of these articles visit our media page.

Country Homes & Interiors featured this award winning project in a six page spread detailing the extensive renovations to the 1880s coach house… read the article.

Country Homes & Interiors featured this fabulous project in an eight page spread. What used to be an overgrown tennis court was transformed into a secret garden… read the article.

Homes and Gardens featured our longest running project in this six page spread. Set high up in the Chilterns. The six acre site is set in one of the highest spots in the chilterns… read the article.

Our oldest project, this garden is just stunning and so well maintained by the clients who have looked after it so well. Small wonder then it was featured in Homes and Gardens… read the article.

Winning Again

All our news from BALI and other 2024 highlights

Newsletter 2024-2025
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