The key to the perfect family garden is a little something for everyone. With two small boys, owners of this Richmond garden wanted to maximise the play space for their children whilst retaining some valued, ‘grown up’ space for themselves.

Before

With a buried air raid shelter taking up over a third of the existing garden, any hopes of a grassy area for football were problematic. An extension was something the owners planned for the house and so, whilst we could still gain access to the garden, we brought in diggers to remove the air raid shelter and free up this very desirable space.

Once removed, the area was levelled and re-turfed so that the boys could make the most of the football season ahead. In addition to the football area, we created a hidden play zone, big enough for a trampoline or play centre. The play zone was positioned behind a line of ‘swaying’ bamboos to screen it from the view of the house.

For the whole family, we created a small amphitheatre at the top of the garden, providing an appealing sunbathing and seating area. The amphitheatre emerges from the lawn via two wide grass steps and is surrounded with fragrant planting.

Wide elegant steps were designed to draw you into the garden from the terrace.

A specimen plum tree and a trio of pears trees are planted in a small wildflower meadow on one side of the garden.

whilst on the other side of the garden is a lively and colourful herbaceous border.