Award-Shortlisted Family Garden Transformation in Bessacarr

At Bradley & James, we love creating gardens that completely transform how families use and enjoy their outdoor space. This stunning project in Bessacarr is one of our proudest recent designs and has even been shortlisted for a prestigious 2026 Garden Project Award.

The Brief

Our clients had lived in their home for over 30 years. During that time, they had lovingly refurbished and modernised the house, creating a beautiful family home that perfectly suited their lifestyle.

However, the garden had never received the same attention.

Despite being a large outdoor space, it was little more than an untidy lawn with very little structure, interest or purpose. The family wanted a garden that matched the quality of their home and provided somewhere they could relax, entertain and enjoy for years to come.

The Design Solution

The transformation begins immediately outside the house, where we installed a large neutral porcelain patio. The clean lines and contemporary finish complement the property beautifully and create the perfect space for outdoor dining and entertaining.

Beyond the patio, we introduced generous lawn areas surrounded by extensive planting beds. To give the garden an established feel from day one, we incorporated a variety of mature shrubs, specimen plants and structural planting throughout the design. These layers of greenery help soften the space and create interest from every angle.

One of the standout features of the garden is the beautiful kidney-shaped pond. Carefully positioned within the landscape, the pond introduces movement, reflection and tranquillity to the garden while creating a valuable habitat for wildlife.

To ensure the pond felt completely natural within its surroundings, we included a carefully selected range of aquatic and marginal planting. These plants will continue to mature over time, helping the feature blend seamlessly into the landscape while attracting birds, insects and other wildlife.

A charming timber bridge crosses the pond, creating a memorable journey through the garden and drawing visitors towards another hidden destination.

Beyond the bridge sits a second patio area and a stunning timber gazebo, perfectly positioned to enjoy uninterrupted views across the entire garden. This peaceful retreat has quickly become one of the family’s favourite places to sit and unwind.

Inspired by Japanese Garden Design

From the outset, we wanted this garden to feel calm, balanced and restorative. Drawing inspiration from traditional Japanese gardens, we focused on creating a sense of tranquillity through flowing layouts, water, natural materials and carefully framed views.

The result is a garden that feels peaceful and immersive, encouraging visitors to slow down and appreciate their surroundings.

The Result

What was once a large but underused lawn has been transformed into a truly special outdoor space that complements the home perfectly.

The combination of porcelain paving, mature planting, water features, timber structures and carefully considered landscaping has created a garden that feels established, elegant and timeless.

The project has already gained industry recognition, being shortlisted for a 2026 Garden Project Award, but the greatest achievement is seeing how much the family love their new garden.

After 30 years in their home, they finally have an outdoor space that matches everything they have created inside—a beautiful, award-shortlisted garden designed to be enjoyed for many years to come.

Watch our interview with the owner here: