Stately Home

Redevelopment of a 70-acre private estate for clients visiting a few times a year, who were looking for a garden in keeping with the grandeur of the setting, yet inviting for use by the extended family.

This sprawling site in Buckinghamshire had been used as a commercial premises for a number of years and the landscaping needed a staged approach to make it a fitting place for a family and guests to visit and entertain.

The Grand Terrace adjacent to the main house had completely degraded and was redesigned to make a formal set of paths and planting areas, with new traditional style water features and places to rest and enjoy views from its elevated position across the rest of the estate.

Over a period of 5 years, the garden was redeveloped to include: a new play area, major new shrub and perennial planting areas, steps and paths, wild-flower meadows, and the upgrading of the two lakes and watercourses to include marginal planting, fountains and bridges.

The concluding part was the design of a contemporary spa garden to complete a proposed new spa development within the area of some existing stables.

The private estate gardens were also maintained by us throughout the 5-year period of works adding seasonal planting to coincide with family visits, as well as ongoing improvement and restoration of existing planting areas. A gradual hand-over to a live-in team was managed, with a shift to advice and support as required.