Location: East Sussex, UK

The steep garden of this Grade II* cottage in Sussex overlooking the little parish church was sliding towards the house, and there was no outdoor living space neither for humans, nor for dogs and chickens who roam this garden freely.

The brief was to contain the soil movement, to provide two dining terraces and to provide occasional privacy from the church opposite. This is a conservation area and the project had to meet with both parish and council approval.

Asymmetric curved stone terraces both retain the garden and provide seating on a new dining terrace. An oak trellis was constructed taking a detail from the churchʼs windows, and a new gate was designed to provide further privacy on the lower terrace. The trellis will eventually be smothered with rambling roses and honeysuckles, providing the seating area with a gorgeous fragrance as well as a framed view of the church