A secluded retreat with year-round planting

Designer:
Rob Hughes
Area:
95m2
Location:
Macclesfield
Buildtime:
2 months

This garden may be modest in size, but the design ensures every inch is purposeful. It delivers privacy and seasonal beauty throughout the year.

We built up the rear of the garden with a clean stack bond paver wall to add structure and height. Above this, pleached beech trees were positioned to provide complete privacy from neighbouring homes. Just below the fence line, a slim mirror was installed to reflect light and create the impression of greater depth in the space.

Hard landscaping combined Jura limestone, anthracite clay pavers and western red cedar batten fencing, setting a natural tone that’s softened by rich planting and muted seasonal colour. The planting scheme is layered and immersive, offering interest throughout the year.

Looking after all the hard landscaping we installed a wraparound calming water feature, commissioned a stunning single cast floating concrete bridge with soft lighting, built a crescent moondeck immersed in the planting, and clad a redbrick outbuilding with charred larch to blend in with the landscape. 

The project spanned an eight-week build with very limited access, relying on small machinery and barrow runs throughout. Like many new-build plots, the garden came with poor-quality subsoils and inadequate drainage. We addressed both early in the process, installing a tailored land drainage system and completing all groundworks and hard landscaping with care and precision. 

The result is a garden that feels structured and connected to the home. A huge panoramic slider now opens directly onto the space, making the transition from indoors to out completely effortless, whatever the weather.