The barn was hemmed in by the steeply sloping field. 2008
The house was concealed by conifers, which blocked all light and views from the house.
Groundworks 2009. Tons of soil were excavated from this field; the original soil level was just below the windows of the white barn seen in the photo above (where the white paint stops) To get around the house, two stiles had to be climbed and wellies were a must. Making an access path was a priority - drains were installed then the landscaping began.
Groundworks 2009
The trees were dangerously close to the house and cast it into darkness. They were removed and the photo below shows the difference in light.
Spring 2010. Planted and turfed.
October 2014, 5 years later.
Steps lead up through the shrub border to the formal garden.
I asked my local stone merchant to fulfil this order for a dozen extra-wide steps made from solid stone (as opposed to 2 or 3 slabs per tread). He had to wait for the right gigantic rock to turn up to slice these 1.8m wide steps. They were finished with a bull-nose tread.
Top of shrub garden, 2009
2014 Top of shrub border
The steps are now lined with box hedges which hide LED lights.