Front Garden, Cholsey, Oxfordshire

Designed by Rory Andrews, this front garden in Cholsey, Oxfordshire, has been transformed from an unsuitable, concrete-dominated space into a welcoming garden for sitting, relaxing and entertaining.

The garden catches the evening sun, so an important part of the design was creating a comfortable place where the clients could unwind at the end of the day — and enjoy cocktails in the evening sunshine.

Working with the character of the property was central to the project. Reclaimed materials were used throughout, together with traditional construction methods, including lime mortar. Reclaimed Yorkstone steps were individually hand-fettled on site, while the mild steel edging was also fabricated on site to create crisp, understated definition within the garden.

New trees and carefully considered planting soften the hard landscaping and bring structure, texture and seasonal interest to the space.

The result is a front garden that feels entirely at home with the property — a relaxed and inviting space shaped by traditional materials, skilled craftsmanship and thoughtful planting.