Existing trees and woodland are retained wherever possible and strengthened with new native and acid loving planting. Acid grassland, meadow, lawn and woodland edge planting help the scheme naturally blend into its wider setting while also providing plenty of seasonal change and biodiversity.
A network of fully accessible paths links the different gardens and gives residents the opportunity to explore the landscape at their own pace. Seating, feature rocks, ferns and naturalistic planting are positioned along the routes to create places to stop, sit, socialise and enjoy the surroundings.
Closer to the building, sheltered garden courts provide more intimate spaces, while private terraces allow residents to sit outside and look directly onto the woodland.
The wider landscape includes a woodland garden, communal garden courts, sensory garden, kitchen garden, allotments and informal recreation lawns, as well as areas for natural play and growing. The aim was to provide plenty of choice, whether someone wants a quiet place to sit, somewhere to meet others, or simply a gentle walk through the gardens.
The materials are deliberately simple and natural, with permeable resin bound surfacing, granite sett detailing, stabilised gravel and timber decking helping the landscape sit comfortably within its woodland setting. Biodiverse roofs are also incorporated into the smaller structures.
Ultimately, the idea was to create a care home that sits within a garden, rather than a building with landscaping around it, using the existing woodland character to create somewhere that feels natural, welcoming and closely connected to its setting.
