A Blackheath woodland garden

Blackheath, London

This woodland garden in Blackheath was designed to become part of everyday life - a place that draws its owners outdoors, slows the pace of the day, and provides spaces for relaxing, entertaining, working, and reconnecting with nature.

Working beneath an existing tree canopy, the garden design embraces the character of a woodland edge while incorporating everything the clients wanted from their outdoor space: generous dining and barbecue areas, a garden office, and a secluded wellness zone with a sauna, outdoor shower and ice bath.

A restrained palette of charcoal paving, porcelain and black timber fencing creates a calm backdrop allowing the woodland planting to take centre stage while making the garden feel larger and more cohesive. Planting was brought closer to the house, strengthening the visual connection between the interior and the landscape beyond, so the garden feels present even when viewed from inside.

Rather than revealing everything at once, the garden unfolds as you move through it. A sunny bench provides a quiet place to pause, while the garden office sits discreetly beneath the trees, surrounded by planting that creates an inspiring setting in which to work. Beyond, the spa garden remains hidden from the house, only revealing itself at the end of the journey to create a genuine sense of escape.

What was once a little-used space has become an extension of the home—somewhere to entertain friends, enjoy family life, work amongst nature, or simply step outside and breathe. Beautiful gardens are important, but the greatest success of any design is measured by how often it invites people to use it.