Wear Bay Crescent
A tiered garden in Folkestone transformed into a playful, characterful space, blending natural materials, loose planting, and family life.
At Wear Bay Crescent, the brief was to make the most of the garden with a limited budget, while ensuring it was safe and enjoyable for a young family. With three children, the original concrete steps posed a serious hazard, so safety and practicality were at the heart of the design.
Working with the existing three-level structure, we created seating areas and generous beds framed by oak sleepers. Shingle was chosen for the ground surface, echoing the nearby beach where the family spend much of their time, and reflecting the coastal references already woven into their interior design.
The planting takes cues from Piet Oudolf, with a large central bed built on a matrix of grasses and punctuated by glorious clashes of colour from Verbena, Achillea, Sanguisorba, Salvia and more. To counter the inherent man-made structure of the garden, natural elements were introduced: woven hazel hurdles for warmth and texture, and a living willow arch to frame movement between levels.
The garden also holds surprises for the children - a custom-made vegetable planter, a bug hotel, and a bird box - while leaving plenty of open space for play. The result is a garden that feels relaxed, natural, and family-centred, proving that even with a modest budget, thoughtful design can transform a space into something truly special.
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