This large, mature rear garden in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, already benefited from having been landscaped in previous years. However, an area to the back of the garden, with mature beech trees, a concrete pond and old-fashioned rockery, had become very overgrown and was hardly used. The requirement was to open up the space to create a sunny, contemporary zone and a relaxing place to sit and enjoy the beautiful views out over the Chiltern Hills.
An asymmetrical, raised viewing terrace with steps was created using low-maintenance composite decking bordered by riven sandstone paving slabs. As this is a sunny part of the garden, raised vegetable beds and fruiting pear espaliers, underplanted with evergreen Ilex spheres, feature prominently. More ornamental planting of grasses and perennials appear in the terraced beds alongside the deck area. In place of the old concrete pond sits a new wildlife-friendly rectangular pool complete with a pebble beach and stepping stone path that leads to a brick-and-timber gazebo.