Rural gardens · Terracing & earthworks
Hereford Farmhouse
A steep, challenging rural plot transformed into a multi-level garden through sensitive earthworks and thoughtful landscape design.
Project overview
Turning a difficult, steeply sloping plot into a beautifully terraced country garden
The existing 18th-century farmhouse sat on a spectacular elevated site within an area of National Landscape. However, the extreme slopes both above and below the property made much of the surrounding land inaccessible and essentially unusable.
Working alongside GN Landscape Design, the landscape strategy explored how to reshape the terrain using earthworks from the proposed swimming pond, creating a series of terraces that unlocked the site’s true potential. The result is a sequence of level garden spaces that improve access, define outdoor living areas and reveal long views across the valley.
This transformation balanced functional needs with rural character, creating a garden that feels rooted in the landscape while offering modern amenity.
Tags
Terraced gardens Earthworks Swimming pond Rural landscape design National Landscape setting
Project snapshot
- Client
- Private homeowner (via GN Landscape Design)
- Location
- Herefordshire
- Scope
- Concept and detailed landscape design including earthworks, pond integration, terraces and planting design.
- Key elements
- Key elements: Swimming pond, linked terraces, earth shaping, access routes, retaining structures, rural planting palette.
The challenge
Working with extreme slopes in a protected rural landscape
The farmhouse occupied a dramatic position but suffered from a near-total lack of usable outdoor space. The steep gradients made circulation difficult and limited the potential for seating areas, planting beds or outdoor living spaces.
The site’s designation as an area of National Landscape also required great care in managing earthworks, ensuring new forms felt natural and were visually sympathetic to the wider countryside.
Outcomes
Reshaping the land to create an elegant, multi-level garden
Accessibility and enjoyment of the whole site from meandering through meadows and orchards to woodland walks which link into the terraced gardens around the house and barns, providing opportunities for dining and games.
A restricted site now accessible and inviting
The re-graded terrain provides safe, level areas that significantly expand the garden’s usability.
Integrated access around the grounds
Views and circulation routes are improved, creating a coherent flow through the site.
Deer proof planting scheme
With an emphasis on prickly and aromatic species we created a romantic, yet robust naturalistic feel to this farmland setting.