Garden Design in Hinton Blewitt, Mendip Hills

The Brief

The owners of this beautiful Georgian home in Hinton Blewitt, near Bath, wanted to transform the section of garden closest to their kitchen into a dedicated family space. While the property sat within extensive grounds, part of the garden on the opposite side of the house was used as holiday accommodation, so they wanted a private outdoor space that felt separate from the rest of the garden.

With children who had grown up and grandchildren now regularly visiting, the garden needed to work for every generation. The brief was to create a space where young children could play safely while providing comfortable areas for adults to relax, dine and socialise.

The clients loved the timeless elegance of formal gardens but also wanted Mediterranean influences, including fragrant lavender and elegant Italian cypress trees. Existing features such as the established rose garden and mature planting border were important to retain and enhance.

Site Conditions & Design Challenges

The current garden included a generous level lawn that provided plenty of space for children to play. However, beyond an ageing swing set and slide, there were no defined area for the kids to play, and no seating or entertaining areas.

A magnificent mature yew tree created a valuable area of deep shade, while the long boundary border transitioned from full sun into dense shade beneath the tree canopy. Retaining the existing square rose bed and large planting border also influenced the layout, requiring a design that respected these established features.

The Final Garden Design Layout

Taking inspiration from the symmetry of formal rose gardens and the Georgian architecture of the house, the design adopted a formal layout built around a series of connected square spaces.

A central pathway extends from the rear doors, framed by clipped yew hedging, before opening onto a dining and seating terrace. Continuing down the path, Italian cypress trees and rows of lavender create a strong focal point and lead the eye towards the revitalised planting at the far end of this pathway.

A relaxed seating area was positioned beside the mature yew tree, where adults could enjoy the partial shade while remaining connected to both the dining space and children's play area. The play area itself was carefully integrated beneath existing trees, keeping the open lawn free for games and family gatherings.

Planting Design & Seasonal Interest

The planting scheme refreshed the existing borders while responding to the site's varied conditions.

Two planting palettes were developed: one for the sunny borders and another for the deep shade beneath the mature yew. This allowed each area to thrive while maintaining a consistent feel throughout the garden.

Sunny areas included plants such as Penstemon, Physostegia, Alliums and drifts of Nepeta, while shaded areas relied on texture and form, using ferns, Epimedium and shade-tolerant geraniums.

The existing rose garden remained an important feature, with additional disease-resistant David Austin roses introduced to strengthen the display, and evergreen and ground cover plants to help reduce the weeds.

Materials

The choice of materials reflected the character of the Georgian property while creating a timeless feel.

Antiqued limestone paving with soft blue-grey tones was paired with grey tumbled sandstone cobbles, complementing the existing natural stone walls and architecture.

Design Package

This bespoke garden design package included:

Site analysis and concept development.
Inspirational mood boards.
A detailed master layout plan.
3D model and visuals
Separate planting plans for sunny and shaded areas.
Seasonal interest charts and planting moodboards
Children's play area design.
Construction details for landscapers.

By respecting the Georgian character of the property, retaining valued existing features and responding to the site's conditions, the proposal creates a timeless garden designed for every generation to enjoy.

Planning a Garden Redesign in Hinton Blewitt or the Mendip Hills?

Whether you're restoring the grounds of a period property or creating a garden for modern family life, thoughtful design can transform how you use your outdoor space.

If you're planning a garden project in Hinton Blewitt, the Mendip Hills, Bath or the surrounding villages, I'd love to help create a garden that's both beautiful and practical for years to come.
Get in touch here