This large-scale landscaping project in Hartland, North Devon transformed a former hard-standing car park into a luxury coastal garden, designed to enhance a holiday let while complementing the surrounding landscape.
The site presented significant challenges, including extremely hard ground conditions. To prepare the area for planting and lawns, we excavated nearly 500 tons of existing material and imported up to 500 tons of high-quality topsoil, creating a solid foundation for long-lasting lawns and planting. The garden was finished with carefully laid premium turf, ensuring the lawns established quickly and looked lush from the outset.
The design was structured into a series of connected zones: expansive lawns, entertaining areas, a wellness space with a sauna and ice bath, and a discreet container gym. Changes in level were managed with sleeper retaining walls, softened with coastal and Mediterranean planting to integrate built elements seamlessly into the natural environment.
Material selection was central to the design, chosen to reflect the existing architecture, coastal conditions, and surrounding North Devon landscape. Locally sourced stone was used for pathways, complemented with steel edging set slightly below lawn level to provide crisp definition between surfaces without overwhelming the soft planting.
A large composite deck and steps were installed on a concrete base for durability and low maintenance, while a natural slate patio provided a robust and visually appealing seating area. Corten steel detailing around the gym and wellness spaces adds texture and continues to develop character over time.
To highlight the garden’s textures and finishes, horticultural silver grit was incorporated around the planting, enhancing the greens and creating a refined, polished finish. GARFs (Green-Amended Recycled Fertilisers) were also integrated into the planting to support healthy growth and long-term sustainability. The planting scheme focuses on resilient species such as agapanthus, yuccas, and ornamental grasses, ensuring year-round interest with minimal maintenance.
The result is a site-specific, sustainable landscape that balances practicality, aesthetics, and durability, transforming a former car park into a premium coastal garden in Hartland, North Devon. Get in touch to discuss your landscaping goals today.
