This compact versitile garden brings together outdoor dining, imaginative play and opportunities for wildlife. A long, narrow approach opens into a garden of flowering borders, a small lawn and a sheltered timber deck, with existing mature trees retained as part of its character.

The design makes each part of the space work hard, combining everyday practical features with planting and habitat details that invite a closer look. Biodiversity and connection to nature was our clients top priority, wanting a space for the young family to grow up with a deep value for the natural world from the heart of london.

An informal stepping-stone path leads from the house towards the main garden. Irregular, pale stone contrasts with soft groundcover planting, including sweet woodruff and bugle, allowing greenery to thread between the stones. Existing Prunus trees help give this narrow approach its established character.

A natural timber deck creates space for outdoor dining, with a roofed pergola providing shelter overhead. Offset lower levels connect the deck to the garden, while a low water bowl with a cascading spout adds movement and sound beside the path

White yarrow and burnet-saxifrage sit alongside pink-purple betony, lilac scabious, foxgloves and airy verbena. Sedges and ornamental grasses bring contrasting foliage, fine textures and movement through the borders.

The planting combines UK native species with selected non-natives, with flowering succession and lasting structure considered throughout the scheme.

A bespoke habitat wall combines logs, hollow stems and other varied materials with shelves for potted plants and a fold-down potting and craft table.

Across the small lawn, a removable rope climbing net and timber stepping rounds create a simple play area, allowing the garden to adapt as the family’s needs change.