This extraordinary property on Devon’s south coast is set within 130 hectares of arable farmland and open, rolling fields that fall gently away to the sea. Our task was to rethink the use of land around the house to marry the requirements of a working farm with the desire for a series of modulated garden spaces for beauty, production, leisure and play, as well as providing better access to the living quarters. The grassland surrounding the property was extensively remodelled, with new wildflower meadows and woodland roundels established. We kept our touch light, drawing on the local vernacular, restoring and replacing dry-stone walls, encouraging wildlife through the introduction of a new ornamental pond.
This project is going straight into my inspiration folder. I have never had much outdoor square footage to work with having lived in the city all of my adult life but my next home may end up being out in the country with acres of land (I hope) and I know landscaping with that much property to deal with would be daunting. This space had everything I could dream of – a pond, a greenhouse, old stone walls, a pool….EVERYTHING. Landscaping by Dan Pearson Studio. Photos: Ngọc Minh Ngo.