Thinking about tackling a Sunken Garden Design
The rear garden of this newly built property was originally difficult to use, with the lawn positioned significantly above the level of the rear access path and low boundary fencing on either side offering little privacy. As a result, the space lacked both functionality and a sense of enclosure. The clients sought a contemporary sunken garden design that would create privacy, improve usability, and establish a strong visual connection with the house.
To achieve this, the garden was excavated to align with the level of the existing rear path, transforming the space into a sheltered and cohesive outdoor room. Carefully constructed retaining walls frame a granite-paved patio, creating clean architectural lines and a defined seating area. The subtle contrast between the grey granite paving and the black basalt coping stone—used along the top of the retaining walls and to detail the water feature—adds depth and sophistication, beautifully offset by the crisp, rendered boundary walls.
Practical storage was a key requirement and has been discreetly integrated beneath bespoke seating. Benches constructed from durable iroko timber conceal generous storage compartments, with gas-assisted struts allowing the lids to be lifted effortlessly for ease of use while maintaining a clean, uncluttered appearance.
A stainless steel water spout, mounted on a basalt-clad feature wall and reservoir, forms the focal point of the garden. The sound and movement of water introduce a calming atmosphere and provide a striking visual centrepiece. Surrounding planting combines evergreen structure with herbaceous species, ensuring year-round interest, texture, and seasonal colour.
Integrated lighting, set within the base of the retaining walls and discreetly concealed behind the coping stones, enhances the garden after dark, highlighting architectural elements and planting while allowing the space to be enjoyed well into the evening.
The transformation has resulted in a refined and private outdoor sanctuary, where the garden now functions as an extension of the home.
Barry designs bespoke sunken gardens and rooftop gardens for both private and commercial clients, delivering thoughtfully considered outdoor spaces that balance architecture, planting, and long-term functionality.
Barry Holdsworth’s consultancy is operating throughout the South of England – Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, London, Kent, Somerset, Surrey, Sussex, Wiltshire, across the UK and internationally.
