Family Garden

A sloping site and a complex brief for a large family garden in Herne Hill

Big family gardens often come with complex briefs, catering to people of different ages and interests. This SE24 garden is no exception — and it also sits within a conservation area managed by the Dulwich Estate.

Designed for a family of four, three of whom are serious cricketers, the brief called for a cricket net with an automatic bowling machine, trampoline, playhouse, bike storage, shed, vegetable garden, adult seating area, and seasonal interest with blossom and autumn colour.

All of these elements have been carefully woven into a series of low terraces, connected by brick steps and gravel paths that encourage a gentle meander through each distinct space, creating a garden that is both practical and full of delight for every family member.

The sports equipment is discreetly tucked away at the rear, screened by a flourishing grapevine, while the new seating area, embraced by planting, soaks up the evening sun. Three newly planted trees, chosen for their spring blossom and autumn colour, will also provide fruit for both the family and visiting birds.

Snapshots from site, 2026

The project required careful consideration of protected trees on neighbouring properties, whose root zones extended into the garden. In collaboration with an arborist, a strategy for all excavations was developed, and gabion walls with shallow foundations were used to form the rear terrace edges, avoiding impact on the roots. All necessary permissions were secured from both the Dulwich Estate and the local Planning Authority to ensure the work complied fully with tree protection regulations.