We wanted a sort of hideaway separate from the main house (which is pretty modern) and built from the classic red Northamptonshire bricks that were left over from the original barns. We built a walled garden overlooking the lakes and fields. The idea was to make it look old and careworn while simultaneously being super comfortable.
It is slightly sunk into the ground so is approached via a sweeping brick path (a little like a skate board half pipe) under a medlar tree and flanked by fritillaries and wildflowers) which brings you into a sort of ante-room covered by climbers and large leaved plants. From there you pop out into the main garden with a view across the lake to the countryside.
A corrugated iron shack, old brick walls, a petanquerie, good rocks and some fabulous clipped Osmanthus (upcycled from a garden I did at Chelsea Flower Show in 2017).
The building is by Izzy Swain at Swain Architecture
Pergola timber from Ashwells
