Dating from the 1800s The Hill Cottage is a character house surrounded by countryside, with views over the Welcombe Hills, just three miles from Stratford-upon-Avon. Living in a rural location the owners of the Hill Cottage B&B were fed up with trying to grow vegetables in a battle of appetites between themselves and the deer, rabbits and badgers!  Their conclusion was to construct something solid that their furry friends couldn't enter and decided upon a walled kitchen garden. Traditional Brick Paving was used to transform this rural Kitchen Garden.

Kitchen Garden Design 

The basic design had to include walls to keep the wildlife out and raised beds to contain the vegetables, sleeper-edged beds filled with gravel on one side for plants for sale and beds against the tallest walls for decorative trained fruit and roses. As for the materials underfoot, the owners wanted to utilise a variety of paving materials which were serviceable as well as attractive in juxtaposition to create a functional but beautiful terracotta brick kitchen garden.

“The design grew in my mind over quite a long period of time. At first I fantasised about just building a wall along the extremity to take the place of a very old and ragged hedge which was impossible to plant in front of as it expanded each spring at a rate of knots, but I never really believed that what I let myself imagine with free reign would ever happen to the elaborate extent that it did.  

I set out to emulate the traditional walled kitchen gardens found in historic country estates such that, after a few years of maturity, you may well wonder at the age of the actual construction. But I also wanted to add a contemporary quirk to the design, which I think I achieved by avoiding the obvious path straight up the middle leading to the glasshouse. In fact, there is a practical advantage in the path dividing, as the left-hand route leads to double gates which allow the mower to be ridden into the grassed area behind, and the right-hand path leads to a single gate to a store.  I feel very fortunate indeed with the fabulous space we have created”. 

Paving Selection

The owners of this lovely home and garden decided on our Jacobean Brick Pavers. These traditional paving brick block pavers add character and maturity to any restoration project, helping to create a rustic feel.

“The Westminster Stone Jacobean Bricks took my fancy as soon as I saw them as they give an immediate sense of maturity and look as though they have been uncovered, rather than newly-laid. They are set off admirably by blue engineering bricks which form sections allowing the Jacobean bricks to be laid in contrasting directions, including herringbone and on the diagonal. They blend well with the other materials: sandstone paving slabs and gravel.

The Jacobean bricks have proved to be ideal for bringing an established and aged appearance to this brand new area, and I am absolutely thrilled with the way everything has gelled together to make a beautiful whole.

I was recommended to look at the Westminster Stone range by Sally Hopkinson, a garden designer friend here in Snitterfield and of course, since then, I have seen their name everywhere, including on the side of pallets being delivered on the Escape to the Château programme!”

Gillie

Gillie, the owner of The Hill Cottage B&B, has created a stunning example of a traditional walled kitchen garden. By combining functional design elements like raised beds and gravel walkways with beautiful materials like Jacobean brick paving, she's achieved a space that's both productive and aesthetically pleasing. The use of these rustic bricks adds a sense of maturity and blends seamlessly with the surrounding countryside, making the garden feel like a natural extension of the historic cottage. If youare looking to create your own charming kitchen garden - Traditional brick paving offers a timeless look that complements both historic and contemporary settings. Shop them below...

Shop the Look

These traditional Jacobean Brick Paving blocks and brick-on-edge paving brick materials add character and maturity to any restoration project. They are also ideal for pathways or as a design feature in a cottage garden, or as rustic paving. They can be laid close butted or with a pointing gap. Overall brick size varies to help to create a rustic feel, and the colours, tones and hues add to the warmth and charm. See more details in the 'Hill Cottage' Case Study

Buy Jacobean brick Pavers

Contact Hill Cottage

The Hill Cottage
Kings Lane, Snitterfield,
Stratford-Upon-Avon
Warwickshire, CV37 0QA

Tel: 07895369387

Website

About the Author

Sian McHugh

'Sian has been working with us at Westminster Stone for over 5 years and has developed expertise in garden design and landscaping. Her passion for nature extends to tending her own garden, teaching yoga and hiking during her free time.'