Not far from the East Sussex coastline, the brief for this garden was to provide functional areas for eating, relaxing and swimming. The owner of the property is an avid gardener and has a love of plants, so being able to incorporate large areas of planting was a must have.
The east side of the garden was backing onto a busy road, whilst the south side has incredible views of the coastline so it was important to retain privacy on one side and ensuring an open view on the other.
The garden features a clay paver dining area at the front of the house, surrounded by lush planting and a striking Corten steel water feature. Small stone walls and low hedges are used throughout to provide year-round structure and a sense of enclosure. Multi-stem trees and existing birch trees help provide shelter from both the sun and wind.
Beyond the dining area, a swimming pool with a sunbathing pergola offers a tranquil spot to unwind, while a separate pergola on the right side of the house takes full advantage of the coastal views, surrounded by a gravel garden filled with drought-tolerant plants. Italian cypress trees line the boundary, adding height and contrast, and natural stone paths weave through the space, tying everything together.
The design balances practicality with a deep connection to the surrounding landscape, creating a garden that’s both functional and beautiful.
