West Hampstead Garden

Spectacular views over London informed the elegant design of this Hampstead garden.

Overview of the West Hampstead garden, the water feature becomes the main focal point defined by the strong perspective lines of the sandstone treads in the lawn.
Overview of the West Hampstead garden, the water feature becomes the main focal point defined by the strong perspective lines of the sandstone treads in the lawn.
Stage 1

The Brief

This property in the heart of Hampstead has stunning views due to its elevated position. The clients were keen to maximise this and ensure that the garden and roof top skyline remained visible from the ground floor.

A steep slope at the rear created a dangerous fall that was fenced off for safety, and some very oppressive overgrown conifers cast heavy shade across the garden.

Stage 2

Design and Build

Permission was obtained to remove the conifers and the light flooded in. To ensure continued privacy from the neighbours’ raised adjoining terraces, we planted a row of pleached X Sycoparrotia semidecidua, an unusual variety of semi evergreen tree with attractive early flowers.

A decent size lawn area was retained around the central ornamental cherry tree, and a 3 metre deep, herbaceous borders span the full width of the garden, creating a diaphanous backdrop above which skyline is visible.

Wide planting beds, create a soft transition between the lower patio and lawn area. The hardwood fence is flanked by Pleached trees that provide privacy from the overlooking terraces.
Wide planting beds, create a soft transition between the lower patio and lawn area. The hardwood fence is flanked by Pleached trees that provide privacy from the overlooking terraces.
The tall window of the house is echoed, by creating a mirror image in the patio and lawn, using lines of hardwood deck and full width stone treads through the lawn, culminating in a water feature suspended above the steep rear slope.
The tall window of the house is echoed, by creating a mirror image in the patio and lawn, using lines of hardwood deck and full width stone treads through the lawn, culminating in a water feature suspended above the steep rear slope.
Stage 3

Finished Project

A full height glass window vertically spans the 4-storey house, creating a strong visual link with the garden from each floor. We echoed this feature by creating a mirror image of the tall window across the patio and lawn, using lines of hardwood deck and full width stone treads through the lawn, culminating in a water feature suspended above the steep rear slope. A cantilevered deck off sets this and provides an outdoor lounge area to capture the setting sun over the Hampstead horizon.

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Change of level in the West Hampstead garden using wide sandstone treads that connect the patio area to the lawn.
Dining area on the patio of this West Hampstead garden, with sawn sandstone and iroko deck detail.
Close up of the raised planting area adjacent to the patio, with clipped Taxus hedge.
Garden view from the indoor lounge area, the yellow details of the interiors are echoed in the garden with the yellow glazed trim of the clay pots.
A decent size lawn hugs the central ornamental cherry tree, whilst 3 metre deep, herbaceous borders, span the full width of the garden, creating a diaphanous backdrop above which the skyline remains visible.
The soft palette of plants, create an attractive border adjacent to the ground floor extension.
Dining area on the patio next to the beautiful pleached X Sycoparrotia semidecidua, an unusual variety of semi evergreen tree with attractive early flowers.
The Urbis water bowl, creates a strong visual link, to draw you out into the garden.Herbaceous borders span the full width of the garden, creating a diaphanous backdrop above which the West Hampstead skyline is visible.
The skyline of london creates a dramatic backdrop to this cantilevered deck, where a BBQ and lounge area draw the family out for evening entertaining.
The cantilevered deck at the end of the slope of the garden provides an outdoor lounge area to capture the setting sun over the Hampstead horizon.
Cantilevered deck next to the water feature that provides an outdoor lounge area to capture the setting sun over the Hampstead horizon.
The stepping stones connect the house to the cantilevered deck at the end of the slope providing an outdoor lounge area to capture the setting sun over the Hampstead horizon.
Close up of the planting, elegant clay pots with glazed yellow trim, echo the house interior details.
Concept visual during the initial design phase for this West Hampstead Garden
The garden before its transformation.
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Photos by Marianne Majerus