DANIEL COMBES GARDEN DESIGN
HAMPSHIRE Garden Design
Daniel Combes Garden Design studio in South Wiltshire is situated close the border with Dorset and Hampshire; a county rich in biodiversity and with a number of contrasting landscapes.
Hampshire includes three AONBs, two National Parks of The New Forest and South Downs, and numerous designated wildlife and archeological sites. This is a county steeped in history while its landscapes remain rich in natural features and cultural significance.
Invaded by Saxons and Jutes in the early 5th and 6th centuries; Wessex was formed. Winchester became the Capital of England ruled by King Alfred until 899. Wessex was the only kingdom to survive the Viking invasions; Hill forts are dotted throughout Hampshire, particularly near Winchester and Bournemouth’s Hengistbury Head. While The Romans built castles along the coast; remains can still be seen and the area surrounding Silchester has largely remained untouched.
Each period in history has shaped Hampshire while during the Georgian period Jane Austen made the county famous with romantic writing.
As garden and landscape designers we constantly draw inspiration from this diverse rural environment; woods, sparkling chalk streams, farmland and wetland all offer a unique influence in our designs.
A belt of chalk crosses the county from north to west where it forms the Hampshire Downs, to the South Downs in the south-east. This leads on to Portsmouth Harbour, Langstone Harbour, and Chichester Harbour. The south-west of the county is home to the New Forest, which includes pasture, heath, and forest and is one of the largest expanses of ancient woodland remaining in England.
The County of HAMPSHIRE
From Highcliffe on the Dorset border to Chichester Harbour in West Sussex, Hampshire’s coastline runs for approximately 230 miles. The architecture of the county varies enormously with period properties seen in towns and villages, while more modern and commercial property in the historic and naval areas of Southampton and Portsmouth.
Some of the counties finest examples of formal and kitchen gardens open to the public are found at Beaulieu, Mottisfont Abbey, Exbury and Furzey Gardens. While closer to our studio sitting in the Test Valley just outside Stockbridge is Houghton Lodge Gardens; an 18th Century Grade II* listed Gothic Cottage Orné, idyllically set above the tranquil waters of the River Test.
Our Hampshire garden design commissions have allowed us to create formal and informal outdoor landscape designs or both modern and traditional homes of varying sizes.
If you have a Hampshire garden design project that you wish to discuss, please contact us