Our approach to garden design is always guided by the owners' preferences. We take plenty of time to discuss and develop the brief, giving the householder a checklist of possibilities.
On our initial site visit we will recognise the special opportunities which are unique to each garden, and will identify problems which need to be resolved.
Many garden owners have clear ideas and simply need our skills as designers to interpret these ambitions into a workable plan. Some of our garden designs are to a Masterplan level, allowing the householder to develop the garden in their own time over several years. Naturally, we’re always available to give further help. Others will give more detail about planting, or construction, depending on the clients requirements.
Private Garden, Sheffield
A number of clients ask us to arrange all construction and planting on their behalf. This comprehensive service includes obtaining competitive tenders from suitable garden contractors, and appointing the preferred firm to work under our supervision. We check the quality of work and materials, approve regular payments to the contractor, and finally ensure that the work is maintained and properly established for one or two years.
There are, of course, many styles of garden, and every scheme is quite unique. There are many garden design books, and a wealth of ideas from television programmes. (Our view is that some should come with a Health Warning!) However, a glance at our portfolio usually helps prompt the householder towards a garden style which suits them. The following list gives some idea of the range of gardens we’ve designed in recent years, ranging from decks and roof gardens, traditional cottage gardens with box hedges and herbaceous borders, Victorian town gardens, grounds of large houses, to country estates.
Secret garden and walled garden, Rivelin. Lawns, meadows, summerhouse, screen fencing and terrace, Dearne. Remodelling old garden, paths, vegetable plot, pergola and screening, Edinburgh. Country garden, ha-ha, terrace, herb garden, Chapeltown. Knot garden, Peterborough and Cambridge. Courtyard garden, Market Harborough, Warrington, Peterborough. Roof gardens, Warrington, Peterborough, Edinburgh. Retirement garden, low maintenance, year round interest, Rotherham. Therapeutic gardens, Chesterfield. Steep sloping terrace gardens, Sheffield, Chesterfield. Town House garden, low maintenance, family use, Sheffield. Restoring neglected period house gardens, Sheffield, Cumbria, Nottingham. Conservation garden, natural flora and wildlife. Woodland garden, walks, wildlife, low maintenance, Doncaster. Wildlife garden, planting for bird feeding, ponds and wetlands, Worksop. Japanese garden, tranquillity and simple, bamboo, sand and boulders, Rotherham. Refurbishment of old garden, play, outdoor entertaining, tennis, pools, trellis and drive paving, Peterborough. Cottage garden, Bamford Derbyshire. Plant collectors garden, Sheffield.
Abbey House, Whitby
Historic Parks and Gardens Restoration or developing a historic landscape requires a special blend of skills. We combine our expertise in historic conservation, arboriculture, ecology, and landscape design in a creative way, so as to address each unique project.
We have extensive experience of tree survey and conservation. The Principal is an arboriculturalist with over 20 years experience of advising on trees within historic landscapes.
Weddles have been involved with several sensitive historic garden restoration projects, usually requiring arboricultural and horticultural appraisal and management. We have worked on landscapes associated with Listed Buildings and in Conservation Areas. Local to our Sheffield office we have prepared schemes for tree conservation and grounds restoration at Stoke Hall in the Peak Park, Broomhall in Sheffield, Moorhall in Ranmoor, Barnes Hall Chapeltown and Conksbury Old Hall Bakewell.
We have prepared schemes for restoration of an Augustinian Priory grounds and orchards in Selby, an Elizabethan Manor in Leicestershire and 17th century mansion in Cumbria.
In Edinburgh, our thirty year involvement with Heriot Watt University on the Riccarton Estate led to restoration of the 18th Century Formal Gardens and the conservation and marking of the Gibson Craig Tree Collection.
Recent Victorian Park experience is the Heritage Lottery funded by the Heritage Lottery. We worked with the Friends of Sefton Park, Liverpool City Council Architects and Parks Department, to restore Sefton Park Palm House and re-house part of Liverpool's botanical collection.
Projects
Researching original layout for Riccarton House Edinburgh, agreeing restoration scheme with Historic Scotland, funding from Scottish Natural Heritage, Formal Garden Management Plan for 18th Century gardens, for Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh.
Tree conservation for Queens Tower, Sheffield.
Restoration of 17th Century Jacobean Manor House Courtyard, Market Harborough.
Restoration of eighteenth century Georgian country house grounds, Sella Park House, Cumbria.
Restoration of early Victorian country house grounds and estate, walled gardens, herbaceous borders, Ruddington Hall, Nottingham.
Restoration schemes for grounds of listed and historic buildings including:
Queens Tower, Sheffield
Broom Hall, Sheffield.
Riccarton House, Edinburgh
Barnes Hall, Chapeltown, Sheffield
Drax Abbey Farm, Selby
Conksbury Old Hall, Derbyshire
Elmwood Hall, Mosborough
The Old Vicarage, Ashford-in-the-Water Tree survey and management plans for grounds of listed and historic buildings.
Botanical Consultant to Liverpool City Council for Sefton Park Palm House restoration, funded by Heritage Lottery Fund grant.