John Brookes-Inspired Garden Design

This project was a true privilege for Atlantes Landscapes to deliver – a large garden makeover designed by the late John Brookes MBE, one of Britain’s most celebrated garden designers.

The existing garden had become heavily overgrown and difficult to use. John’s design vision transformed it into a flowing, versatile landscape – an elegant space for entertaining balanced with generous areas where the children could play and explore. His design opened up the garden into light and space, blending formality with functionality to create an environment that feels both refined and welcoming.

During the clearance of dense shrubbery, an extraordinary piece of the garden’s history was revealed: an old well complete with its original mechanism. Rather than concealing it, we restored and incorporated this discovery into the final scheme as a striking focal feature – connecting the contemporary design with the site’s heritage.

Key elements of the completed garden include:

• A spacious stone-paved terrace, perfect for entertaining and outdoor dining.
• A sweeping lawn, designed for family enjoyment and children’s play.
• Retaining walls, adding structure and enhancing level changes within the garden.
• A tranquil reflection pool, bringing light, movement, and atmosphere to the design.
• Carefully curated planting, providing texture, colour, and seasonal interest throughout the year.

The result is a garden that honours the legacy of John Brookes MBE – blending timeless design with practical, family-friendly spaces. It now offers our clients a landscape that is both deeply personal and enduringly beautiful: a garden for living, entertaining, and creating lasting memories.

Client: Mr and Mrs S

Designer: John Brookes MBE

Contractor: Atlantes Landscapes