Multi-level Sanctuary, Bromley

A calm, layered garden on a sloping site –

designed for long-term use and enjoyment

At a Glance

A steep and previously underused garden reimagined as a series of connected, welcoming levels.

Designed to feel calm, safe and easy to move through, with softening materials and planting at its heart, the space now offers year-round interest and is gently evolving with time and regular garden care.

“I absolutely love it. It’s everything I had hoped for and more”

Project Snapshot

LOCATION

PROJECT TYPE

FOCUS

APPROACH

OUTCOME

Shortlands, Bromley, South East London / Kent

Full garden design on a steeply sloping site

Multi-level design, planting-led approach, long-term usability

Reworking levels, use of softer materials, ecological planting, integrated habitat features

A calm, accessible garden with depth, structure and year-round interest

Overview

This project began with a garden that felt difficult to use, shaped by a steep slope, unsafe transitions and a large garage that dominated the view. The brief was open-ended—simply to create something beautiful, usable and enjoyable to spend time in, both now and in the years ahead.

The resulting design transforms the space into a sequence of individual but connected areas, carefully arranged to feel intuitive and settled, while allowing planting and atmosphere to lead.

Shaping the space

Working with the natural slope, the garden was restructured into a series of generous, usable levels. Unsafe steps and awkward transitions were replaced with a layout that feels more intuitive to navigate, supporting both everyday use and long-term safety.

The removal of the existing garage opened up the space significantly, allowing the garden to feel lighter and more connected to the house. Some of the resulting rubble was reused within gabion structures, helping to form lower retaining walls that also introduce opportunities for habitat.

Materials were chosen for their softer, more natural character—paddlestone-clad walls, limestone paving with fossil detail, gravel, woven fence panels and a bespoke oak pergola that provides shade, structure and privacy within the garden.

“My garden now feels calm, welcoming and completely usable“

Planting as a framework

Planting plays a central role in shaping the character of the garden. A soft, cohesive palette of blues and purples, lifted with touches of pale lemon, provides seasonal interest and a sense of calm continuity across the different levels.

Grasses and small shrubs establish year-round structure, while climbers and newly introduced trees help to soften boundaries and bring a greater sense of enclosure. The planting has been selected not only for its visual qualities, but for its value to pollinators and the wider garden ecosystem.

Over time, these layers will knit together, creating a more immersive and biodiverse environment.

A garden that evolves

From the outset, the garden was designed as something that would continue to develop. Strong planting frameworks and careful preparation provide the foundation for long-term resilience, allowing the space to grow into itself over time.

Ongoing support has played an important role in this process, with seasonal guidance helping to build confidence and ensure the garden remains both manageable and enjoyable to care for.

VIEW TESTIMONIALS

The design process was incredibly enjoyable and collaborative. I felt listened to throughout, and everything was clearly explained so I could make informed decisions. What was created is beyond anything I could have imagined — the finished garden is exactly as shown in the designs, but even better to experience in reality.

Kim, Bromley