A challenging approach
This beautiful stone farmhouse in the Yorkshire town of Almondbury was undergoing a full restoration when I first saw it. The potential for the house was clear, but the garden presented challenges of its own. The majority of the space was to the front of the house, and its most notable feature was a drop from the front door to the driveway entrance of over 10 meters. Although space was not limited, there were many demands from the clients on how they wanted to use it. There needed to be space for new garages and parking, space for dining and entertaining and of course access to the house itself.
The terraces (with all gins considered)
A large flat area was created with space for some oak framed garages, and parking for several cars. The rest of the garden was terraced with a series of lawned areas and planting beds, allowing the climb up to the house to be broken up into several short flights of steps. The large terrace along the front of the house allowed for party of up to 16 people to dine in comfort, with spectacular views across the garden, and plenty of space for outdoor cooking.
A few steps down from this level bring you to what is arguably the best (and the most used!) part of the garden, the gin terrace: a comfortable relaxed space with views of the new croquet lawn and out over surrounding properties into the countryside.
A hidden courtyard
A tiny walled courtyard to the rear of the house was also transformed into a cosy space, planted with shade loving plants and hung with strings of lights, it became a lovely spot for more intimate entertaining.
