Camberwell Chapel Garden

This property began life as a convent, prior to being made into five beautiful houses, each with a very long garden. This was a completely blank canvas apart from the apple tree which I believe was left over from the convent orchard.

The clients were fairly relaxed in their approach to the design - they wanted a gym and, being rather sociable people, a large space to entertain in.

A listed chapel in the neighbouring property actually drove the design somewhat. The arched windows and beautiful brickwork provided a great back-drop for the seating area, which was designed with bands of limestone alternated with composite decking in a sympathetic colour. A lawn either side of the sun drenched seating area added a feeling of spaciousness.

The new gym was nestled towards the back of the garden, behind the old apple tree, so as to give privacy from neighbouring houses, as well to be separate from the terrace. It is reached via a little ‘secret’ garden hidden by a newly planted yew hedge - this contains a curving lawn and a herbaceous border.

From the house, steps up were edged with rows of white, pink and blue lavender, interspersed with low hedges of clipped ilex crenata and the existing dining area directly by the house was replanted with culinary herbs and attractive perennials.