Woodland garden · AONB · Ecological design

Kentish Woodland Home

A sympathetic reimagining of a family garden within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, integrating outdoor rooms, wildlife pond and productive areas at the woodland edge.

Project overview

A woodland edge garden rooted in its Kentish setting

Sat within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and bordering ancient woodland some two metres below garden level, this property required a landscape that felt both protective and connected.

The garden needed to accommodate ground source heat pump infrastructure without compromising tree health or drainage, while creating a series of outdoor rooms, a wildlife pond and productive spaces.

Tags

Woodland garden AONB Ancient woodland Wildlife pond Kitchen garden

Project snapshot

Client: Private homeowner
Location: Kent, United Kingdom
Scope: Garden redesign including woodland integration, wildlife pond and productive areas.
Key elements: Outdoor rooms, wildlife pond, greenhouse, kitchen garden, woodland edge planting and integration of heat pump infrastructure.

The challenge

Working beside ancient woodland and integrating engineering infrastructure

The adjacent ancient woodland, sitting below the garden, demanded careful treatment of edges, drainage and rooting zones to avoid impacts on tree health.

Ground source heat pump loops needed to be threaded through the landscape with minimal disturbance, requiring close coordination between technical and landscape design.

Outcomes

A family garden that feels part of the woodland, not separate from it

The reimagined garden brings structure and everyday usability to the site while strengthening its ecological relationship with the neighbouring ancient woodland.

Ecologically richer landscape

New habitats and sympathetic planting enhance biodiversity at the woodland edge.

Seamless visual integration

The garden now feels like a natural extension of the woodland rather than an abrupt boundary.

Functional and future ready

Outdoor rooms, greenhouse and kitchen garden work alongside the technical requirements of the heat pump system.

Designing sensitive gardens on woodland and AONB sites

Protected landscapes demand careful handling. We help create gardens that respect their setting while providing beautiful, usable spaces for everyday family life.