A Georgian Estate

This beautiful Georgian Grade II* listed house was a lost treasure that had fallen into disrepair. A dilapidated pond, sinuous yew hedge, and some fine old trees were the remnants of gardens past, none of which had ever lived up to the beauty of the hall or site.

Purcell Architects were called in oversee the restoration of the house and interior architecture: our brief was to transform the largely blank space outside the house into a garden of ‘high-octane glamour’ that worked as both a private sanctuary for our client, and a memorable and highly photogenic event space for small luxury weddings and other events.

Dating from the 1720’s, the landscape design period of the house falls between the Picturesque and the Formal. The design reflects these styles in formal spaces near the house, leading to more curvaceous elements in the wider landscape – with eyecatchers and pause points.

The formal design area features the North Courtyard, and South Gardens, which look across parkland.

The eastern side of the South Gardens is a public space, featuring an ‘eternity’ water garden of serpentine water rills, ironwork pergolas and deep planting beds, leading to a primary events space beyond the curving yew hedge. The Western area is for the client only and has more intimate areas for dining and relaxation. In between are cloisters of pleached Persian Ironwood and a waterlily pool. An historic rill is being improved, with fountains within. There are temples at each end, with seating.

Behind a cloud-pruned yew hedge lie further garden spaces – the Moonlight Garden, Wedding Garden and Pool garden. This final, more contemporary space looks out towards a curvaceous lake and the wider landscape.

The design will be implemented in phases, subject to planning.