“We chose Essence Gardens because Helen Westendorp was clearly committed to understanding how we wanted to enjoy our garden. She continues to focus on our preferences and has used her expertise and flair to devise a design which meets our aspirations within the many practical constraints presented by our plot.”

Mr & Mrs D, Painswick, Glos

contemporary cotswolds

The garden designers’ brief:

This property in Painswick, Glos, has been recently refurbished to a very high standard, and essence garden designers were briefed to bring the garden up to the same high standard, in keeping with the house and setting.

On a steeply sloping site, the one acre garden required terracing to make a more usable garden, and give a feeling of space and light.

The formal design lines near the house soften into woodland glades and wildflower meadows as one moves towards the countryside.

• The newly terraced long lawn – the view from the champagne water fountain back to the house

The long lawn leads the eye to the fountain, with paths entering the woodland beyond
The main set of steps lead to the rear terrace - in natural Cotswold stone, lined with yew hedging.
A gently curving set of steps – reclaimed sleepers with beaten earth treads - lead to the mill pool where swans are nesting
The garden design style is in keeping with the house – ‘contemporary Cotswolds’ – with clean lines, luxurious textures and a soft palette of colours.
The design of long lawn is centralised on the dining room double doors, creating a long vista to the fountain in the distance.
Want to see how it looked before?