Cottage Garden Design Using Antique Glendale Sandstone Paving

1. Can you tell us about the setting and brief for this garden design?

The House is a Grade II listed building deep in the Peak District National Park. This large detached house is part of a former Mill, and dates back to the end of the 18th century. The house itself is nestled between the Kinder plateau and the Great Ridge, and the garden faces the narrow but fast-flowing River Noe.

The brief was to create a space in a large field for a place to play the occasional game of croquet and to sit and relax and to absorb the beautiful views over the Hope Valley through the woodland. We wanted to entwine the woodland and the River Noe into the space, so a living jasmine archway was placed at the top of the banking that led down to the river, it is like entering a secret garden. 

The client wanted a contemporary design with a cottage garden and naturalistic planting that would also benefit the bees and biodiversity.

2. What did the design process look like?

We had numerous discussions about the exact placement of the new garden and the planting design. I designed a few concept plans and then a master design which was then given to C Richardson Landscapes to build the garden. Choosing the paving stone was indeed a complicated feat as there are so many to choose from and so many companies to purchase from, but I kept coming back to Westminster Stone as they were the most helpful. There was lots to discuss about the paving to get it to fit into the design so I had to go with the larger size and the smaller size for the edging, it all perfectly fit into place.

3. What products did you choose and why?

We decided to go with the Antique Glendale Sandstone Paving as the client wanted something not dissimilar from York Stone and with a tone that would blend in well with the Victorian brick on the house as well as the brick we used to edge the lawn.

4. What was your experience of dealing with Westminster Stone?

I had a fantastic experience with Westminster Stone, I was assigned a personal assistant and he sent me samples that arrived on time and he explained, in-depth the details about a few varieties of stone before helping me decide on the Glendale. Throughout the project, he sent me emails to check that everything was OK and the stone arrived on time in perfect condition.  We were all very pleased. The pricing is affordable and the stone is sustainable.

Shop Antique Glendale Sandstone Paving

Antique Glendale Sandstone Paving adds a charmingly weathered and rustic appearance to outdoor settings. The natural colour variations of brown, buff and grey combined with a characterful surface texture provides charm to outdoor settings and gardens where a traditional ambience is sought. An exceptional substitute for reclaimed Yorkstone flags, these flagstones will ensure your space is full of allure and charm.