Case study — Traditional
Whitstable
- Location
- Whitstable, Kent
- Style
- Traditional
- Completed
- 2024
- Scope
- Full Design - 3000m2 - 200K+

01
The project
This garden design in Whitstable ranks among our biggest and most ambitious projects to date — a build that took a full year to bring to life. The brief was to create a traditional yet modern country garden, with the space divided into distinct functional areas for the family to enjoy.
Bespoke solid oak arches, along with a patio and walkway crafted from clay pavers and sandstone slabs, formed the backbone of the hard landscaping — complemented by a swimming pool and a sunken hot tub for year-round use. Seasonal interest planting brings colour and texture to the space, softening the hard landscaping and giving the garden life throughout the year.
02
Materials
- Beige Sandstone planks – London stone
- 15cm bespoke oak arches
- Wooden pergola bespoke
- Concrete luxury design clad – London stone
- Tumbled mint sandstone mix-size paving – London Stone
- Tumbled mint sandstone capping – London stone
- Derby clay Pavers – London stone
- Dove grey limestone chippings – day aggregates
This project was a great design to work on, the clients stuck exactly to the design and a year and a half build produced amazing results and a transformed multifunctional space.
03
The approach
Within this garden design in Whitstable sits a beautiful swimming pool, adding a touch of luxury and making it the perfect place to relax and have fun with friends and family. Throughout the space, sunny lounging spots were designed with everyday use in mind, mixing comfort with flair.
We focused on planting that would bring year-round interest while softening the hard landscaping. Perennials, grasses, and shrubs were carefully chosen for their colour and texture, ensuring the planting softens the clean lines of the sandstone slabs and timber features throughout the seasons. It’s a garden that transforms beautifully throughout the year.
We worked closely with our clients to plan every part of this garden design in Whitstable so it would be both beautiful and practical all year round. The hand-made oak arches give the garden a classic look and help define its different areas, making the journey through the space more inviting. The patio and walkway, built from traditional clay pavers and slabs, carry visitors seamlessly from the house to the pool and beyond, tying the whole garden together with a real sense of flow.
04
The result
This garden design in Whitstable is one of our favourite projects to date. The aim was to create a space filled with colourful, beautiful planting — an outdoor area that feels both welcoming and completely one-of-a-kind.
We positioned the firepit area beneath a large wooden pergola, giving ample shade in summer and creating a cosy, secluded spot to unwind. Wood and stone elements, paired with comfortable seating, were chosen to make the space feel warm and inviting, blending indoor-style comfort with outdoor living.
Wooden arches are a big feature of this garden. They make the space feel longer, create separate areas, and lead you naturally through the garden as you explore. Over time, climbing plants will grow over the posts, letting the wood blend into its surroundings and creating shady spots perfect for hot summer days. I love how these arches frame the views and give each area its own sense of separation, while the garden still flows together as a whole.
The path begins with beige sandstone paving bordered by stone, guiding visitors through a bold mix of flowers and grasses. The stone edging brings a modern yet coastal feel to the space, while a carefully chosen blend of perennials and grasses breaks up the different areas and lets the garden flow with colour and texture. Every step reveals something new — swaying salvias and grasses and the gentle hum of bees and butterflies.
At the end of the central sandstone path sits a striking planting feature, eye-catching from the house and a natural guide through the arches towards the bottom of the garden. From there, the space opens onto a relaxed seating area by the pool — the perfect spot to sit back and unwind.
05
Before
06
About
Q&A
Questions about this project
We use a substantial piece of oak wood at 15 cm width. This gives it real presence in the garden. For smaller projects you could use 10 cm thick oak wood.
The plants dotted throughout the path in between planks are Sedum album and Chamaemelum Nobile. These are great as they are low-growing and you can walk over them.
Yes, Design Clad from London Stone is easy to be applied onto an existing wall; it must be smooth, level and clean. There are many different options to choose from.
The climbers are Trachelospermum jasminoides, which work really well, as they are evergreen and have a lovely fragrance.

