Beyond the Trophy: Our APLD Award-Winning Gardens in Cheshire & Greater Manchester

David Keegan
1 day ago
3 min read

Updated: 15 minutes ago

Modern house in Alderley Edge, Cheshire East with large windows, roof terrace with glass railing and lush award-winning garden designed by David Keegan from DK Garden Design.

In October 2025, we shared some exciting news: our designer David has been recognised with three awards at the prestigious 2025 APLD International Landscape Design Awards. He received two Silver Awards in the Residential #3 (Over $100,000) category, alongside a Silver Award in the Specialty Projects category, cementing his work alongside some of the most inspiring designers and studios from around the world.

Contemporary Family Garden, Monton, Greater Manchester

One of the residential awards recognised a series of expansive gardens surrounding an Art Deco home in Monton, Eccles. The brief called for a cohesive yet multi-functional landscape, one that enhanced the home’s architectural character while offering a range of immersive outdoor experiences.

An award-winning garden in Monton, Salford with a black pergola, dining set, and a barbecue. Purple lavender lines the path, whilst lush greenery surrounds the serene setting. Designed by DK Garden Design.

An award-winning garden in Monton, Salford with raised wooden planters, a circular bench, and a set of wooden chairs. Green and serene, set on white gravel. Designed by DK Garden Design.

At the front, an avenue of columnar trees creates symmetry and arrival, underplanted with dwarf pines and lavender for structure and scent. Formal lawns and a crisp evergreen yew hedge provide an elegant framework, while a refined palette of gravel and granite brings sophistication to functional areas such as the driveway.

To the rear, a contemporary boardwalk leads through scented planting to a sunken seating area and an automated pergola with integrated outdoor kitchen. Beyond this, a Mediterranean-inspired side garden introduces raised oak sleeper beds, cherry trees with integrated seating, a boules-friendly surface and a lively games area to create a layered landscape that evolves with the seasons.

Large-Scale Elements Garden, Alderley Edge, Cheshire East

Set within a 1.7-acre private estate, this award-winning Alderley Edge garden was awarded for its ability to combine diverse garden experiences within a single, coherent landscape. The brief prioritised visual refinement, strong connections to nature and a deep commitment to sustainable design principles.

A modern house in Alderley Edge, Cheshire East with red brick facade, glass balcony, surrounded by lush award-winning garden, trees, and a patio under a blue sky with clouds, designed by DK Garden Design.

An award-winning garden in Alderley Edge, Cheshire East with lush greenery, metal frame structures, stone path and a variety of plants, designed by David Keegan from DK Garden Design.

The resulting scheme is a sequence of distinct environments, each with its own atmosphere and purpose. A minimalist Japanese-inspired rear garden offers calm and contemplation through restraint and simplicity, while a sheltered courtyard provides a more intimate retreat. Elsewhere, a textured stumpery and expansive wildflower meadow enhance biodiversity and seasonal change, while an orchard garden blends productivity with natural beauty.

Arrival and movement through the site were carefully considered, with an entrance sequence that sets the tone for the landscape beyond.

A sunny, tree-lined dirt path stretches into the distance, flanked by lush greenery and white wildflowers, leading an award-winning Alderley Edge garden designed by David Keegan from DK Garden Design.

A standout feature is the roof garden, designed as a social hub for family life and entertaining. Here, an automated pergola shelters sofas and dining space, alongside an outdoor kitchen, integrated barbecue and fridge, Corten pizza and bread oven and standing bar, all set against panoramic views of rolling Cheshire countryside.

Sensory Garden, Hollingworth Lake Country Park, Rochdale

The Silver Award in the Specialty Projects category was presented for the sensory garden at Hollingworth Lake Country Park in Rochdale, a project that's rooted in inclusivity, wellbeing and community engagement.

Elderly couple sitting in a lush sensory garden in Hollingworth Lake Country Park in Rochdale, surrounded by green plants and purple flowers, designed by David Keegan from DK Garden Design.

This public park is designed to welcome visitors of all ages and abilities. It engages every sense through fragrant and tactile planting, sound-making elements such as wind chimes, and interactive features like sculptures, willow structures and an orchard.

Accessibility shaped every aspect of the design. That's why we've implemented wide, non-slip stone pathways which allow wheelchair users to navigate comfortably, as well as raised beds to bring planting to an accessible height.

Lush sensory garden at Hollingworth Lake Country Park in Rochdale with wooden planters filled with purple flowers and greenery. Gravel path winds through, set against a dense forest backdrop. Designed by DK Garden Design.

A metal dome structure in an award-winning sensory garden at Hollingworth Lake Country Park in Rochdale with two people walking inside. Lush greenery surrounds the area, under a clear sky, creating a serene mood. Designed by DK Garden Design.

At its heart sits a multi-use dome that hosts ranger-led workshops, events and educational sessions, transforming the garden into a dynamic community hub. In addition, a gentle woodland walk encourages exploration and calm reflection, creating a space that is both restorative and enriching for everybody.

Learn More About Our Award-Winning Projects

The Association of Professional Landscape Designers has recently released its 2025 Awards Issue, which includes the judges' feedback as well as the designer's tip to create award-winning gardens.

Take a closer look at landscape projects that took home the gold in 2025:

For more information about us and our award-winning projects, please get in touch.