South Facing Urban Retreat Garden in Columbia Road E2

South Facing Urban Retreat Garden

The brief

The client brief was unfussy: install paving and introduce flower beds on either side of the garden, replacing an undefined space covered in weeds. Our designer saw more potential, given both the south facing aspect and beautiful railway arch at the back of the garden. These features posed as points of stimulus to craft a design and create an urban retreat in a previously humdrum East London garden.

Urban Retreat Garden in Columbia Road East London with Herringbone Brick Path Leading to Railway Arches

Curved Herringbone Path

The first thing was to create a path leading from the front to back part of the garden, so usable space could be maximised. The end of the path coincided with the shadiest spot, created by a canopy of growth overhead as well as the railway arch itself. The design therefore aims to tie the destination of the path together with the natural shadows of the garden, ending its meander with a pleasing urban retreat where a book or cup of tea could be enjoyed, creating an oasis away from the vibrant action of Columbia Road.

Detail Showing Transition of Curved Path from Dragon Back Design to Herringbone in South Facing Garden in Columbia Road, E2 East London

Reclaimed bricks are used to create the path, curving first in the style of a classic dragon’s back design, then merging into a tight herringbone as the path fans out and acts as a launchpad for the shady urban retreat.

The curves of the herringbone path are reflected also in a section of paving directly beneath the railway arch, constructing a psychological seating area that invites visitors to relax in this urban garden scene.

Side View of Curved Herringbone Path and Lawn as part of Columbia Road East London Garden

Duncan helped turn my disaster of a garden into a thing of beauty. From the start he was very helpful, providing design ideas where I was at a bit of a loss and coming up with some unique and lovely elements (like the curved herringbone path) that I wouldn't have considered. He also had the expertise to back everything up and was happy to explain whenever I needed clarification.

— Amrita, Columbia Road E2

Completing the South Facing Garden with a Floral Flourish

The client was keen to introduce a colourful flowery palette to the garden borders. The south facing aspect of the garden was perfect to accommodate this wish. A diverse set of perennials and shrubs were chosen ranging from lavender, foxgloves, crocosmia, geranium, and callistemon citrinus. Consideration was also given to pollinator-friendly plants including nepeta and camomile, with aims of increasing biodiversity in this urban East London landscape, acting as a retreat for animals and humans alike.

Sunny Spot Floral Planting Scheme in South Facing Garden Creating Urban Retreat In Columbia Road, E2 East London

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Ashley, Hackney Central E9
All of you were so great, professional and kind. I wanted to thank you for listening to my needs and incorporating them into the garden design so well. Your advice and recommendations were perfect. I can’t stop singing your praises for the work you did in my garden. I am very happy and pleased with the craftsmanship and attention to detail. We have been out there a ton and are loving it!

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Juliet, Dalston E8
I count myself as extremely fortunate to have used the services of Duncan and his wonderful team. Duncan listened to my 'dream' of what I had in mind and somehow he was able to untangle my thoughts and create the reality! Duncan, Jack and Dan were fantastic. Punctual, tidy, always considerate, thoughtful and totally professional. The workmanship is exemplary. Living in a small terraced house the work was difficult for them and for me but they were brilliant at being positive and encouraging. These days it's not easy to find a business that does exactly as they've set out to do from start to finish. With such a stunning end result I couldn't be happier.

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Laura, Stoke Newington N16
We had the pleasure of working with Hillman Gardens on both our back and front gardens as part of our Victorian renovation in Stoke Newington, Hackney. Duncan helped us to create an English garden design that was both beautiful and hassle-free, whilst accommodating the needs of grownups and little ones. Duncan was easily able to realise our design ambitions within our budget, whilst adding his own creative flair and planting expertise. His team were a pleasure to have on site and worked quickly and enthusiastically. After the back garden project we invited the team back to create a new front garden, and have since recommended them to several friends and neighbours

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Claudia, Crouch End N8
I can’t recommend Duncan and his team highly enough. Creative, professional, and fun to work with. Great design and construction too!

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Gareth, Forest Gate E7
Duncan did an incredible job transforming both the front and back of my terraced house. In the back garden, from a minimal brief (I’m not a designer) he totally understood what I was looking to achieve and managed to create a design that far exceeded my expectations. The results were stunning and incredibly creative, with every detail carefully considered for both space and design. This was crucial in such a small space.

At the front of the house he managed to continue the design scheme from the back, whilst also incorporating more traditional elements, including Victorian tiling. Duncan’s consultative approach to the plants we used was also superb. Again, plants aren’t something that I know anything about, so he very knowledgably talked me through the options, considering both the look but also my need for low upkeep!

The work Duncan has done has totally transformed the feel of the whole house. I look forward to the many years of enjoying the new space!

Duncan was super easy to communicate with, has a very high level of craftsmanship and went above and beyond to get it exactly how I wanted it – even helping advise on the finishing touches – furniture etc. A pleasure to work with. Couldn’t recommend him highly enough

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Anthony, Walthamstow E17
The garden is going great three years in and we are loving it - my favourite is the banana tree - it’s become my pet!

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Jenny, London Fields E8
Duncan and team did a fantastic job transforming both our front and back garden. The job was professional from start to finish. Courteous, well organised and efficient, the team carried out high standard work, were very responsive to the brief and gave great advice throughout. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.

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Duncan & Jane, Clapton E5
We were delighted with the work done by Duncan and his team in landscaping our back garden. The project was to landscape around a home office that we had recently had installed incorporating various elements into the design such as a path and a pond. Duncan was very responsive in quickly coming up with a sensible design, which was then implemented to the highest standards and with great attention to detail. I cannot exaggerate how pleased we were with the final result: it blended in the home office, incorporated all the elements we required, and at the same time enhanced the sense of space within the garden.

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Ashley, Hackney Central E9
All of you were so great, professional and kind. I wanted to thank you for listening to my needs and incorporating them into the garden design so well. Your advice and recommendations were perfect. I can’t stop singing your praises for the work you did in my garden. I am very happy and pleased with the craftsmanship and attention to detail. We have been out there a ton and are loving it!

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Juliet, Dalston E8
I count myself as extremely fortunate to have used the services of Duncan and his wonderful team. Duncan listened to my 'dream' of what I had in mind and somehow he was able to untangle my thoughts and create the reality! Duncan, Jack and Dan were fantastic. Punctual, tidy, always considerate, thoughtful and totally professional. The workmanship is exemplary. Living in a small terraced house the work was difficult for them and for me but they were brilliant at being positive and encouraging. These days it's not easy to find a business that does exactly as they've set out to do from start to finish. With such a stunning end result I couldn't be happier.

Like Juliet's garden?

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Laura, Stoke Newington N16
We had the pleasure of working with Hillman Gardens on both our back and front gardens as part of our Victorian renovation in Stoke Newington, Hackney. Duncan helped us to create an English garden design that was both beautiful and hassle-free, whilst accommodating the needs of grownups and little ones. Duncan was easily able to realise our design ambitions within our budget, whilst adding his own creative flair and planting expertise. His team were a pleasure to have on site and worked quickly and enthusiastically. After the back garden project we invited the team back to create a new front garden, and have since recommended them to several friends and neighbours

Like Laura's garden?

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Claudia, Crouch End N8
I can’t recommend Duncan and his team highly enough. Creative, professional, and fun to work with. Great design and construction too!

Like Claudia's garden?

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Gareth, Forest Gate E7
Duncan did an incredible job transforming both the front and back of my terraced house. In the back garden, from a minimal brief (I’m not a designer) he totally understood what I was looking to achieve and managed to create a design that far exceeded my expectations. The results were stunning and incredibly creative, with every detail carefully considered for both space and design. This was crucial in such a small space.

At the front of the house he managed to continue the design scheme from the back, whilst also incorporating more traditional elements, including Victorian tiling. Duncan’s consultative approach to the plants we used was also superb. Again, plants aren’t something that I know anything about, so he very knowledgably talked me through the options, considering both the look but also my need for low upkeep!

The work Duncan has done has totally transformed the feel of the whole house. I look forward to the many years of enjoying the new space!

Duncan was super easy to communicate with, has a very high level of craftsmanship and went above and beyond to get it exactly how I wanted it – even helping advise on the finishing touches – furniture etc. A pleasure to work with. Couldn’t recommend him highly enough

Like Gareth's garden?

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Anthony, Walthamstow E17
The garden is going great three years in and we are loving it - my favourite is the banana tree - it’s become my pet!

Like Anthony's garden?

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Jenny, London Fields E8
Duncan and team did a fantastic job transforming both our front and back garden. The job was professional from start to finish. Courteous, well organised and efficient, the team carried out high standard work, were very responsive to the brief and gave great advice throughout. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.

Like Jenny's garden?

Take a look

Duncan & Jane, Clapton E5
We were delighted with the work done by Duncan and his team in landscaping our back garden. The project was to landscape around a home office that we had recently had installed incorporating various elements into the design such as a path and a pond. Duncan was very responsive in quickly coming up with a sensible design, which was then implemented to the highest standards and with great attention to detail. I cannot exaggerate how pleased we were with the final result: it blended in the home office, incorporated all the elements we required, and at the same time enhanced the sense of space within the garden.

Like Duncan's garden?

Take a look