The place

This Georgian rectory in a small Cotswolds village comprises an elegant square-built house and an acre of gardens, with the River Windrush flowing by, just over the garden wall.

The brief

Following the restoration of the house, we were asked by the owners to completely remodel the gardens, creating a range of spaces that felt fresh, modern and distinctive, while retaining the best aspects of the original garden.

The design

The garden echoes the formality and clean lines of the architecture with a series of zones capturing a range of moods. High dry-stone walls and simple diamond-cut paving create a formal, contemplative area in the canal garden, stretching away from the house. Lush marginal planting around the restored water garden softens the lines of the new stone paving, and a new southern terrace planted with upright perennials and box offers a perfect spot for summer evening entertaining.

This is a beautifully crafted garden where the simplicity of structure allows the detail to shine through. The eye is drawn to the juxtaposition of oak against stone, the subtle colour shifts in the planting, and the calm, reflective water in the pools. The paring down of materials and plants means that only the very best of everything is used, whether it is a cube of York stone or a particular willow, colour-matched to the lichen on the house. Dan’s measured approach has certainly paid off, and the result is a finely tuned masterpiece that feels entirely comfortable in its setting.

Clare Foster | House & Garden

Every inch of this garden has been carefully considered. The passage leading to the immaculate kitchen garden is lined with the gorgeously scented rose Roseraie de l’Hay, the sweetly fruiting Strawberry Vine on the barn wall was a cutting from one of Dan’s favourite Italian gardens, Torrecchia Vecchia, and the square stone sets around the raised beds add further satisfying layers to this brilliantly conceived and beautifully cared for garden that fulfils the original brief in the richest possible way.

Non Morris | Country Life