DEGANWY
The Brief
Perched high on the cliffs of Deganwy above Conwy Bay, this property commands some of the most extraordinary coastal views in North Wales—taking in the sweeping seascape, the Great Orme and the historic silhouette of Conwy Castle...
Yet the garden failed to make the most of its rare setting. A dense boundary hedge interrupted the views, and the space lacked the structure and features needed to connect the home to the dramatic landscape beyond.
When we were appointed to redesign the garden, the brief was clear: create a garden that embraced the horizon, blurred the boundary between land and sea, and offered a series of elevated vantage points that would open up the panorama.
The Design
To honour the setting, we began by removing the boundary hedge, opening the garden to the vast beauty of the bay. The centrepiece of the design is a floating cantilevered platform, engineered to project gracefully over the edge of the garden, giving the impression of hovering above the water. This striking structure creates a unique viewing point, allowing the owners to appreciate the bay from a truly impressive perspective.
A set of descending, carefully aligned steps leads the eye (and the body) towards the horizon. From the top, they appear to continue all the way down to the beach below, creating a powerful illusion that extends the garden visually into the landscape.
To elevate the sensory experience, we designed a full glass wall on the seaward side of the hot tub enclosure. This provides shelter from coastal winds while still offering uninterrupted views across the bay, ensuring the space can be enjoyed in comfort year-round.
Finally, a pair of suspended egg cup swing seats, framed with sculptural Corten steel, create playful yet elegant lookouts. From here, the view of Conwy Castle is perfectly framed.
The Garden
Five years on, the garden has matured beautifully, with the planting now softened, settled and seamlessly integrated into its cliffside setting. Coastal-tolerant species have flourished, adding texture, movement and seasonal interest without competing with the star of the show: the view itself.
The architecture, planting and horizon now work in harmony, creating a garden that feels both grounded and expansive. This is an extraordinary garden shaped by sea, sky and thoughtful design.
Ready to create a landscape that celebrates its setting? We’d love to help you bring that vision to life. Get in touch to begin your project.