City Townhouse Garden

This townhouse garden in Bath was an exciting opportunity to create something completely new. The clients had spent several years renovating their three-storey house, creating a beautiful interior, and wanted the garden to feel like a natural extension of the home — including space for a dining table and chairs.

The garden was being created by the client themselves, so the design needed to be clear, practical and straightforward to implement. There were also many existing elements to incorporate, including bird baths, family seats, a stove from inside the house and sentimental archways. Rather than removing these, the design was developed around them, giving them a new context within the garden.

The garden is divided into two distinct areas. In the first, reclaimed red bricks from a wall removed during the house renovation were reused to create a terrace in a traditional basketweave pattern. Given that this part of Bath once had its own brickworks, it is quite possible that the original bricks were locally made.

Two planters were constructed in matching Bath stone, incorporating an old metal arch that had been in the family for many years. This gives the space a strong architectural framework while retaining an important piece of the garden’s history.

The second half of the garden will centre around a circular planting bed incorporating the existing bird bath, with a gravel path curving around it. The two areas have been designed to have their own character while working together as a whole.

Planting has been carefully considered according to the orientation of each part of the garden, providing interest throughout the year. Climbers will soften and clothe the new Jacksons Venetian fencing, adding height and greenery while helping to create a more enclosed feel.

The garden is still very much a work in progress, with the client implementing the design gradually as time allows. Having a clear overall plan has given them the confidence to tackle the garden themselves, one stage at a time.

This is also a service we provide: giving clients the tools, information and a considered garden design they need to create the garden themselves. For those who are happy to do the work gradually, a clear plan can provide the confidence and direction to achieve the finished garden without needing to employ a contractor to carry out the whole project