Flint Cottage, South Downs

A Grade II-listed flint cottage, in the South Downs National Park.

This historic home has been restored and modernised, and is a family home. I re-designed the walled front garden.

A new gravel path and driveway is edged with a long sweep of wildflowers, contained by a mown grass verge and steel edging. That means the owners can enjoy the native flowers and the insects they entice in, plus a neat finish. Grassy paths keep the garden looking soft, plus rain water soaks straight into the ground, avoiding surface-run-off.

No other new hard materials were used, to avoid detracting from the original flint buildings and garden walls.

A pond was added and is supporting local wildlife. Marginal plants soon made the pond look as though it had always been there.

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The view from the house is of the planted areas, with parking tucked neatly behind an outbuilding.