Slope and Stream: A Garden on the banks of the River Wey
A graceful riverside garden where elegant terraces and winding paths flow naturally down the slope, uniting the cottage with the tranquil River Wey.
Author: Paul Guppy
Categories: Case study
Date: 13th November 2025
Project brief:
The client wanted to remove the small timber decked terrace at the rear of the house and the narrow path running across the top of the garden, replacing them with a larger, level terrace. They also wished to enlarge and improve the second terrace beside the Silversmithing studio. The design needed to bring these elements together in a cohesive, aesthetic, and practical way, while introducing additional terraces on the steepest sections of the slope to ease maintenance and create level borders for planting.
Completed works:
Site Analysis
- Very steep sloping garden
- South facing but shaded by the canopy of several trees
- Rocky with thin soil.
- Wet area at the bottom of the garden prone to flooding in the winter.
- Several springs coming out of the slope
Design
The design provided the client with a cohesive and well-structured plan for the area to the rear of the property. The existing small timber deck was removed and replaced with a larger sandstone and brick terrace, featuring generous steps that lead down to a gravelled area crossed by a stepping-stone path.
To the left, the path extends towards a second terrace beside the studio, constructed from the same materials as the main terrace to maintain visual continuity. To the right, it winds through a gravel surface, incorporating a brick pathway that leads to the garden shed and a timber gate along the boundary.
The main terrace was widened by introducing a retaining wall faced with Purbeck stone, laid in a traditional dry-stone style. A second, lower wall of matching materials defines a planting terrace behind, providing an elevated bed that is both visually appealing and easier to maintain.
The results:
Overall, the design creates a unified and functional outdoor space with safer, more accessible routes and expanded planting areas. The restrained palette of natural materials, chosen to complement the age and architecture of the cottage, allows the garden to sit comfortably within its setting, achieving a timeless and harmonious character.
The client is delighted with their new garden and looks forward to watching it mature.
We’ll be revisiting this brilliant project over the coming seasons to document how it evolves throughout the year.