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This garden, designed by the owners on an unusually shaped third of an acre plot, began its development in 2005 from a blank canvas – once the garden had been cleared of nettles and brambles. Lifting this garden out of a state of total neglect was something of a challenge for the owners, Carole and Mike, who have designed it and carried out most of the hard landscaping themselves. The front garden comprises of raised beds featuring a black and white pebble bed, shrubs, perennials and ground cover. Front garden

The garden to the rear of the house consists of two main areas – both triangular. The formal area has a terrace with containers and a view towards Ashdown Forest, a pebble bed, two pergolas and herbaceous borders, which are planted for a succession of colour and are within a limited palette in each of the beds. Top garden

A walk through the pergola with its beautiful bespoke gates introduces you into the informal area which is in a peaceful woodland setting. This includes a ‘fire circle’, a ‘dry stream’ bed with a small bridge, an arbour with climbers chosen for their fragrance and a ‘mini’ orchard. Here you will also find the working area of the garden (compost heap, log store and shed!) and there is also a display of old garden tools. Beside the shed is a patio area with alpine sink gardens and containers containing mostly hostas. The planting in this lower garden is a mixture of trees, shrubs, perennials and a 'mini' prairie bed. A new island bed was added here in the lower garden in 2010 and two further beds added in 2011. Bottom garden

Throughout the garden there are interesting specimen trees, shrubs and perennials – and plenty of places to sit and enjoy them!

In 2016 the garden was runner up in the Kent Life magazines Amateur Garden of the Year competition. Carole and Mike