A Hillside Retreat in the Forest of Dean

Location

Gloucestershire

The brief

As experienced and enthusiastic gardeners, the clients had clear ideas for stylish improvements to the appearance and usability of steep areas at the side and rear of a property with beautiful views.

Project execution

After listening carefully to the clients’ brief and understanding their objectives, Acorn created two carefully designed level areas that would maximise enjoyment of available sunlight for either patio dining or private relaxation on a secluded deck. The improvements transformed steep areas of roughly turfed hillside garden into the stylish, cleverly detailed and functional garden spaces the clients envisaged.

From start to finish, the steep site and the constraints of the property meant that access for equipment, materials and plants was always challenging. Behind the property, set into a steep meadow slope, timber decking, platforms, rope fencing and steps from the rear of the house were carefully integrated with an existing timber retaining wall. At the side of the property, Bradstone Old Town paving created a spacious area for patio furniture. The two areas were linked with pale gravel and a previously intrusive fuel tank was concealed with a new timber shed. As well as camouflaging an unsightly necessity, the new shed provided much-needed storage and housed the garden’s electrics.

Throughout the project, the clients had considerable input into the selection and planting of free planted and container plants as diverse as Pieris (for which the recommended container planting ensured the required acid soil environment) and elegant fan palms.