Find out more about this elegant garden in Reigate.
Manor Landscapes are proud to announce that our Reigate project has been shortlisted for a prestigious APL Award. That means that our work has been scrutinised by some of that the UK’s leading landscaping experts who have agreed that the standard of our workmanship is very high indeed.
Any of our readers who have met Geoff Gardiner, MD of Manor Landscapes, will know that he is not one for boasting about his skills. He’s a very modest gentleman who always puts his clients needs above his own. That may means that you don’t often see Geoff’s work on social media or in the press. But that doesn’t mean it’s not of the very highest standard. Sometimes it’s the quiet, diligent ones who create the best gardens.
In his long career, Geoff has built up a strong reputation in the landscape industry for precision, attention to detail and building gardens that stand the test of time. The garden we’re about to tell you about is just one of many projects built by Geoff and his team, to very exacting standards.
About The Garden
This beautiful home in a quiet area of Reigate, Surrey is exquisitely finished inside, but before their garden makeover, the clients felt that the outside spaces were somewhat lacking in the wow factor.
The front garden consisted of a resin bound driveway and a well maintained lawn. This offered a huge opportunity to enhance kerb appeal and increase privacy for a reasonable cost.
At the back, there was a nice sized but relatively featureless garden. A small patio led onto a lawn surrounded by mature trees.
The client brief was to make their outdoor spaces more vibrant, more interesting and more usable. They asked for an outdoor cooking area with space for dining al-fresco and some attractive planting. Everything in fact, that could enhance family life and encourage them to spend more time outdoors.
A contemporary pergola sits amongst classic english country garden planting in this beautiful garden designed by Laura Bedell-Pearce and built by Manor Landscapes
The Garden Design
Garden designer Laura Bedell-Pearce of Laura’s gardens was engaged to re-imagine the space. And what a fabulous job she did too!
A classically styled garden with a contemporary finish. This space now has clear zones within it for outdoor cooking, dining, relaxing in a small group, and retreating alone.
A modern pergola from Garden House Design provides shade on sunny days as well as shelter from the rain. Thus allowing the garden to be used all year round. There is a gorgeous gas fire pit, and an outdoor kitchen from Grillo Kitchens. Discreetly hidden from view is a utility area for growing veggies and storing all those outdoor essentials such as wheelie bins and wellies.
With her design, Laura aimed to make the garden feel more spacious, create a sense of journey and intrigue and lift the quality of the garden so that it is consistent with the very high finish of the interior. I think you’ll agree she’s absolutely achieved her aims.
The Landscaping
Geoff and the team at Manor Landscapes worked diligently to bring the client’s and designer’s vision to life. Work took 8 weeks through some ‘interesting’ weather conditions during late winter and early spring. And, as you can see from the pictures, the space was completely transformed.
Working with a variety of materials and alongside specialist fitters for the outdoor kitchen equipment and the pergola, had its challenges at times. It was crucial that the root systems for existing trees was protected when creating foundations and bases for the hard landscaped areas. However, as an experienced landscaper, Geoff knew exactly what to do.
The results speak for themselves.
A simple adjustment to the front garden saw the lawn being replaced by a selection of trees and low hedges.
The APL Awards
Each year, the Association of Professional Landscapers Awards (APL) seeks to recognise and reward APL members’ commitment to quality landscaping. A committee of landscaping experts visits each nominated in garden and inspects every last element of its construction. Inspections involve tape measures, laser levels and getting down on hands and knees to check the tiniest of details. Only the very best gardens are shortlisted for an award.
In total, there are fourteen contenders in the award category that our Reigate project is shortlisted for and the competition is stiff.
Results will be announced on Friday 15th March 2024 at the Annual Awards Ceremony which takes place at The Brewery in London.
The Manor Landscapes team wish the very best of luck to the landscapers, garden designers and professional gardeners whose work has been shortlisted by the judges. But secretly, we hope it’s us who will be sharing some very good news with you after the ceremony.
Whatever happens on 15th March, having our Reigate project shortlisted for an award is a true testament to the skill and dedication of the entire Manor Landscapes team. We’re proud of each and every one of them.