A new garden was created to complement an architecturally renovated Victorian villa in Holland Park, London, which benefits from an unusually large 'L' shaped garden.

Staged, formal terraces, generous steps and raised planting beds gently lead from the main family living area up into the garden, opening up the long view from inside the house past the huge, weeping ash. Bay standards form an evergreen, pleached hedge, flanking the route. Asymmetrically juxtaposed clipped box and yew rectangles echo the design and sit in a low tapestry of lush, shade tolerant planting. Loosely clipped box and yew balls ease the linear geometry. The rear part of the garden incorporates a stunning, architect-designed pavilion, which is a family room come kitchen and garden house. The leafy, country feel is enhanced by the dry stone walls, whilst pleached bay hedging and crisp York stone coping and terrace visually tie both parts of the garden together. A large lawn hosts ball games and a play structure is built into the trees and cunningly hidden behind yew hedging at the end of the garden. It is strange to think that bustling London is moments away.