Project Brief

Kineton | Contemporary Garden for a New Family Home

Set on a plot with traces of medieval history, this new-build property near Stratford-upon-Avon presented a rare opportunity to shape a garden from the ground up. The clients sought a multifunctional outdoor space that would feel timeless, support modern family living, and align with the architecture of their Georgian-inspired home.

The brief centred on clarity and flow — establishing usable zones for dining, relaxing, growing, and play — while preserving privacy and connecting subtly to the landscape’s historic roots. Sustainability, long-term ease of maintenance, and biodiversity were also key considerations, with a particular interest in integrated systems such as irrigation and rainwater harvesting.

Design Response

The garden was conceived as a series of interlinked zones, each defined by a specific function yet unified through materials, planting, and spatial rhythm. A generous dining and BBQ terrace near the house becomes the hub of social activity, sheltered by structure and softened by layered planting.

To the rear, a relaxed seating area and greenhouse offer space for reflection, productivity, and growing — tied together with curving paths and seasonal interest. Mature fruit trees were selectively retained, while new planting focused on native species, pollinator support, and year-round texture. Two walnut trees serve as key anchors within the space, helping to balance openness with enclosure.

Throughout, privacy and structure are achieved through layered hedging, tree placement, and thoughtful screening — particularly from the road and neighbouring properties. Integrated lighting, irrigation, and futureproofing features such as a robotic mower-compatible lawn ensure the garden will remain elegant and effortless over time. Rooted in both history and contemporary living, this garden is designed to feel grounded, adaptable, and deeply personal — evolving as gracefully as the home it surrounds.