Two-story house with white exterior and balcony, stone landscaping in foreground, garden plants, sunny day.

Edwardian Villa Garden

Brighton . UK

The Upper Terrace

Adjacent to the villa, the upper terrace features a spacious stone terrace tailored for entertaining. It includes a generous dining space and ample room for barbecues and social gatherings, serving as the central hub for outdoor living.

The Middle Terrace

Anchored by the presence of a mature mulberry tree, this terrace exudes character and tranquility. A newly laid lawn is framed by abundant planting, complemented by a small sun terrace and a charming summer house—ideal for moments of quiet reflection or relaxation.

The Lower Terrace

Designed with simplicity and openness, the lower terrace is accessed via custom-built metalwork steps with timber treads, descending a steep slope. It opens onto a spacious lawn and a sunken circular terrace crafted from traditional flint stone walls, celebrating the region’s natural materials and artisanal heritage. This level offers a serene, enclosed space that encourages stillness and connection with the landscape.

This project represents a remarkable transformation—from a once-neglected garden into a beautifully layered and functional outdoor retreat. By embracing local materials and craftsmanship, the design offers a dynamic and immersive experience for both the homeowner and guests.

A passionate gardener and plantsman engaged us to reimagine the steep and challenging grounds of an Edwardian villa in Brighton, East Sussex. The vision was to create a functional and inspiring outdoor living space for a family

Our brief included the design of a terrace near the house for barbecuing and outdoor dining, a level lawn for relaxation and seed propagation, generous planting borders, and a sense of privacy throughout the garden.

The site posed several unique challenges, including a pronounced slope, shallow soil, and a base of underlying chalk. In response, we proposed a design that divided the garden into three interconnected terraces, each serving a distinct purpose while harmoniously linking the landscape.

A Multi-Layered Retreat

This thoughtfully designed retreat unfolds across three distinct terraces, each offering a unique experience while harmonising with the villa and the surrounding landscape.

Outdoor patio with wooden table, chairs, stone wall, potted plants, lush garden, and distant view of countryside.
  • Backyard garden with a stone patio, wooden table with chairs, potted plants, a stone retaining wall, and lush greenery, overlooking a distant landscape view.
  • Garden with a gazebo, stone wall, and neatly trimmed lawn, overlooking a scenic view of a distant town and hills.
  • A white house with a red roof and balcony, surrounded by a lush garden and stone retaining walls, with stairs leading up from a green lawn.
  • A two-story white house with large windows, a balcony, and a sloped roof. The house is surrounded by a landscaped garden with stone steps, bushes, and flowering plants, set against a clear blue sky.
  • Backyard garden with a small gazebo, green lawn, stone walls, and surrounding trees and shrubs.
  • Stone steps leading to a garden patio with a wooden table and chairs, surrounded by a stone wall and greenery.
  • Wooden walkway leading to a landscaped garden with grass, plants, and trees.