MARPLE
BRIDGE
The Brief
When Warren and Ruth Dickson bought their Victorian cottage in Marple Bridge on the Cheshire–Derbyshire border in 2005, the property was essentially “a house in a wood.”
The garden, which is set on an unusual triangular plot built into a hill and leading down to a river, had once been cared for, but years of overgrowth left much of it unused.
Years later, looking to finally transform their generous plot, the couple sought a designer whose work resonated with them. After researching online, they discovered DK Garden Design and were drawn to our style, planting approach and North West base.
Their brief was to rejuvenate the grounds, create continuity between the contemporary front garden and the rear, and find a purpose for the steep, seldom-visited upper section of the site.
The Design
The design approach centred on reimagining the site as a sequence of distinct yet connected spaces, each encouraging movement through the garden.
While the contemporary front garden provided structure and clarity, the rear demanded a more naturalistic response to the dramatic changes in level. The steep slope immediately behind the house was reshaped to improve access and flow, but the most significant design opportunity lay at the top of the plot: a disconnected, underused lawn bordered by an overgrown hedge.
Our designer David’s vision was to transform this forgotten corner into a destination garden, a place that would draw the eye upward and entice the clients to explore.
To achieve this, he introduced a floating platform positioned to capture long views across the Derbyshire countryside, making it both a visual anchor and a reward at the top of the ascent. Around it, he designed a wildflower meadow, using loose, naturalistic planting to contrast with the structured elements lower down the garden.
The plan also incorporated wooden stepping stones to create a gentle, meandering pathway through the meadow, reinforcing a sense of journey and discovery. Every design decision was made to lighten the space, enhance seasonal interest, and blend seamlessly into the wider rural setting.
The Garden
Post-transformation, the meadow is a vibrant, ever-changing landscape. Early-season alliums, white foxgloves, fennel and stipa give way to poppies, astrantia, stachys, geraniums, achillea, helenium and echinacea, before soft white Japanese anemones close the season. Over winter, seedheads are left in place to provide structure and habitat, before the garden is cut back for a fresh start each spring.
The completed garden is a natural paradise alive with bees, birds and wildlife, including owls, buzzards, deer, foxes, bats and even badgers. Blurring effortlessly into the surrounding countryside, the meadow feels both intentional and wild, connected yet distinct.
For the clients, the transformation has been profound. A part of the garden they hadn’t visited in 15 years is now a calm, restorative corner they deeply love. “It helps us remember why we fell in love with this spot more than 15 years ago,” says Ruth.
This wildflower meadow garden was featured in the April 2022 issue of Modern Gardens. Click here to read the feature.
Want to transform overlooked corners into a garden just like this? Contact us today to bring your vision to life.