Sandpit Garden with Terraced Gabion Walls.
This garden was created on a steeply sloping site in an old sandpit, with access rising from the lower ground up to the house above.
Conventional excavation with concrete foundations and masonry retaining walls would have been prohibitively expensive. Instead, we developed a terraced solution using gabion walls, allowing the slope to be stabilised while creating a sequence of planted levels and pathways that lead naturally up through the site.
The site’s steep gradient and sandy ground conditions required a flexible and robust retaining system. Gabion walls provided an efficient alternative to traditional concrete construction, reducing excavation, foundations and overall cost while remaining visually appropriate for the setting.
In total, the structure weighs approximately 120 tonnes and was constructed in three weeks. Timber steps and paths were integrated across the terraces, creating a clear and practical route through the garden while softening the engineered elements.
DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION APPROACH
Planting was designed to reinforce the terraced structure while allowing the garden to settle naturally into its surroundings. A mix of shrubs, grasses and structural plants was used to stabilise the slopes, soften the stonework and provide movement and seasonal interest.
The garden was recently planted and will continue to mature over the next two years, gradually integrating the built elements into the wider landscape.
PLANTING STRATEGY
The completed garden transforms a challenging slope into a usable and visually coherent space, combining structural clarity with naturalistic planting. What was once a difficult site is now a planted landscape that connects the house to its surroundings and will continue to improve with time.
OUTCOME
Considering a challenging site or sloping garden?
We’re happy to discuss practical and creative solutions.