Bath Garden Design

Such a treat to take a few hours out of a busy week yesterday to visit the hidden gem that is Parsonage Farm Gardens with @the_sgld Bath & Bristol cluster group. Carved into the hillside, this magical garden has the most spectacular views across the River Chew and the Somerset countryside. Its unique position on a band of greensand creates the rare opportunity for ericaceous-loving azaleas, rhododendrons and conifers to thrive alongside the more typically lime-loving plants we associate with Somerset. Beyond the richly planted terraces and woodland garden, we explored the rolling meadow pasture, lined with ancient oaks and teeming with rare meadow flowers and invertebrates. We were even lucky enough to spot two mating chimney sweeper moths among the anthills — a very special sighting. A real highlight was the insightful tour with horticultural expert Mary Payne, whose knowledge knows no bounds. Huge thanks to our hosts Julie Parker and Charlie Tricks, their wonderful team — particularly Nigel for walking us through the meadow and its ecological evolution — the lovely ladies who served us delicious tea and cake, and @gardens_by_gemma for organising such a brilliant @the_sgld meet-up. A beautiful gathering of local horticultural folk, and such a wonderful experience right on our doorstep.🌿 #SomersetGardens #GardenDesign #EcologicalGardening

The humble umbel — is there anything more heavenly than the soft foamy masses of Anthriscus sylvestris edging our country lanes and sprawling beneath trees within orchard meadows? There is something so beautifully simple about the movement of cow parsley, quietly marking the gentle shift from spring into summer across our countryside and wilder spaces. For me, it instantly transports me back to childhood adventures amongst the rolling hills of Devon. One such orchard meadow on an estate near Bath that we have had the privilege of stewarding for the last few years, captured beautifully by @craigmorrisphotos 🌿. #CowParsley #OrchardMeadow #BathGardenDesign

We have been lucky enough to experience many extraordinary spaces over the years in and around Bath, but our latest garden management project, which began yesterday, truly takes our breath away. We are feeling incredibly fortunate to take on the care and management of this beautiful rural garden designed by @astrantiarose , nestled within a picturesque valley on the outskirts of Bath. It is a space steeped in agricultural history and teeming with wildlife, from the wildflower meadows that echo the surrounding landscape to the extraordinary volume of birds overhead, with the constant toing and froing of swifts returning to their seasonal home in the barn. There is such a profound sense of uninterrupted nature, calm and beauty here. We can’t wait to help sensitively manage the ecology of this remarkable place and support its gentle evolution over the seasons ahead. 🌿✨

And we’re a day late with our monthly round-up… once again! 😅 What happened to April? Blink and you missed it. A beautiful month of blossom, fresh green growth and plenty of planting 🌿🌸 Here’s to May ✨ #springgardens #gardenlife #bathgardendesign

The final hurrah of this year’s tulip displays has to be this beautiful woodland garden in South Gloucestershire 🌷 Though only a stone’s throw from Bath, its elevated position and cooler temperatures mean the blooms arrive around two weeks later — gifting us a wonderfully extended tulip season across the gardens we design, create and care for 🌿 It’s fair to say that this has been an exceptional year for tulips ✨ After many weeks of back-breaking planting last autumn, it has been a real joy to see such spectacular displays come to life — not only in our own gardens, but across so many inspiring spaces both locally and further afield 🌸 A reminder of why we do what we do 💚 #tulipseason #springgardens #bathgardendesign

On a day like today at our Cookswood project, it's easy to forget you're just 20 minutes from Bath and not in the Mediterranean. A few more snaps from the garden, and some shout outs to the suppliers and collaborators who were involved.... ▪︎ Design and planting: @bathgardendesign ▪︎ Build: @viridis_landscapes ▪︎ Boulders, stepping stones and gravel: @allgreengb ▪︎ Timber elements: Robbins Timber, @charltonstimberstore , @haven_timber ▪︎ Aggregates and soil: @fromeareabuildingsuppliesltd , @a.j.championandsons.ltd ▪︎ Pergola canopy: @candj_outdoors ▪︎ Granite worktop: @bathgranitemarble ▪︎ Bespoke Corten staircase: @benprotheroblacksmith ▪︎ In-lite lighting: @landscapeplus_uk And shout out to all the team who worked so hard on this one - George, Cameron, Tom, Jon and Natasha 👏🏼

Yesterday we all woke to the incredibly sad news of Nigel Dunnett’s passing. Many of us within the horticultural world will be reflecting on the profound influence of his work and legacy — and the way he so powerfully balanced beauty in design with genuine environmental gain. Through his practices and the many remarkable projects he championed, he not only supported nature but also enriched people’s lives, creating communities and transforming urban spaces. I feel very fortunate to have undertaken his Naturalistic Planting course with Noel Kingsbury through the Garden Masterclass, which has had a lasting impact on how we, as a company, approach design and planting. I was also lucky enough to hear Nigel speak in Bath last autumn about Sheffield’s Grey to Green scheme — a project that so clearly demonstrates the power we all have to create meaningful change within our own spaces through collaboration and community. I only wish I had been brave enough to say hello to him then. I worried I wouldn’t know what to say to someone I admired so much — a reminder, perhaps, to always take the moment. My deepest condolences go to Nigel’s family and friends at this impossibly sad time. We have lost a true pioneer and a singular force.

A wonderful start to the week as the team and I set out an array of beautiful plants for a new garden, thoughtfully brought to life by designer Tom Chapman. We feel incredibly fortunate not only to be delivering the soft landscaping for this extraordinary space, but also to be entrusted with its ongoing care in such a unique and breathtaking setting. A huge thank you to @kelwaysplantslangport and Kingsdown Nurseries for supplying and delivering such exceptional plants, trees and shrubs at this busy time of year. We’re certain this garden will mature into something truly special over the months ahead. 🌿 #GardenDesign #SoftLandscaping #PlantingDesign

Two women went to sow, went to sow a meadow… 🌱 A brilliant morning spent with Jemma from @viridis_landscapes completing the final piece of landscaping at our @cookswood project — the wildflower meadow bank. With the beautiful multi-stem crab apples from @new_wood_trees already in place, it’s easy to imagine how captivating this space will become, settling effortlessly into the wider natural landscape of this former quarry turned nature reserve. And as the rain gently rolled in, we couldn’t help but feel rather smug about our timing — the perfect finish to a very typical April week of bright spells, showers and rainbows 🌈 And yes… if anyone’s wondering, I did make her roll the whole stretch herself. Bad friend. #wildflowermeadow #gardendesignuk #naturalisticplanting

Nothing quite matches that first flush of spring—the electric, almost translucent green that lifts everything. It’s the moment the gardens truly wake, full of promise, energy, and the sense that the season is just beginning to unfold. 🌿✨ #SpringGardens #FreshGrowth #GardenInspiration

A moment of appreciation for this remarkable old perry pear tree, standing proudly as the centrepiece of the meadow at this beautiful Somerset property, framed by its walled gardens and terraces. It’s our client’s most cherished feature—and it’s easy to see why. This spring has been nothing short of exceptional for blossom across the gardens. We’re relishing the gentle transitions from magnolia to cherry, and now into the orchard varieties—each phase bringing its own fleeting beauty. So much to pause for and enjoy, wherever you look 🌸. 📷 captured by @craigmorrisphoto #SomersetGardens #SpringBlossom #GardenDesign

Our first team day out of the season to @ifordmanor and @caissongardens was such a treat after an incredibly busy start to the gardening year 🌿 It was wonderful to bring together the newest members of our team and spend time being inspired by two of the most beautiful and historically significant gardens in our area ✨ It was also especially lovely to mark our new Head Gardener @michele.worden.96 birthday 🎂 and to have my great @glovefactorystudios friend @joannawatchman join us too — a fellow keen gardener and lover of nature 🌸 A special thank you to @stevelannin for his time at Iford — such a pleasure to finally meet you — and to Amanda, @zoekayetinkler and all the team at Caisson Gardens. The skill, passion and creativity behind what you’ve created is truly inspiring — a garden full of character, charm and biodiversity 🌼🦋 One thing is for sure… we’ll be back time and time again to see these two remarkable spaces unfold through the seasons 🌱 #bathgardendesign #gardeninspiration #teamdayout