Critch’s Flats

This garden was redesigned as a tranquil, restorative escape for a client working in a demanding career, where time for herself - and for garden maintenance - is limited. With two Spaniels to consider, the space needed to be secure, dog-friendly and durable, while still offering moments of calm for reading, morning coffee and quiet evenings outdoors.

The compact space was divided into a series of ‘garden rooms’, giving the client multiple seating areas that track the sun and offer options for both privacy and socialising. A sheltered outdoor area was also prioritised, providing somewhere to work out at home when time is short.

Vertical planting, reclaimed brickwork, soft cottage-style planting and earthy tones create a warm, characterful feel that complements the historic house. An overbearing leylandii hedge was removed to increase light levels and replaced with a pleached hornbeam screen, providing dappled shade and privacy from neighbouring windows.

Large terracotta pots of fragrant roses and wisteria enhance the cottage-garden character and will become standout features as they mature. A striking winter-flowering cherry anchors the main border, bringing colour and interest in the darker months. Along the lower patio, low-growing plants soften the edges, while a low hedge of purple-leaved beech gently separates the two main garden areas.