DANIEL COMBES GARDEN DESIGN
PETERBOROUGH Garden Design
From our studio in Wiltshire our garden design commissions regularly take us into the neighbouring counties of Somerset, Dorset and Hampshire; with a large proportion of our work further in to Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire as well as Gloucestershire.
The cathedral city of Peterborough is now in the district of Cambridgeshire. It borders Northamptonshire to the west, Lincolnshire to the north, and Cambridgeshire to the south and east. Before 1889, it was a liberty of Northamptonshire.
Much of Cambridgeshire is low-lying, in some places below present-day mean sea level. The lowest point on land is supposedly just to the south of Peterborough at Holme Fen, which is 2.75 metres below sea level.
As it is the largest of the many settlements along the Fen edge, Peterborough has been called the Gateway to the Fens.
Peterborough and its surrounding areas have been inhabited for thousands of years because it is where permanently drained land in The Fens is created by the River Nene. Remains of an Iron Age settlement can be seen at the Flag Fen archaeological site to the east of the city centre. Peterborough was an important area of ceramic production in the Roman period, providing Nene Valley Ware that was traded as far away as Cornwall.
The County of PETERBOROUGH
Notable gardens include Elton Hall; nestled in the beautiful countryside on the Cambridgeshire/Northamptonshire border, lying eight miles southwest of Peterborough. It stands proud in unspoilt landscaped parkland where a house has stood since the 12th century.
The gardens today are the work of Meredyth Proby, who spent the last forty years re-designing and re-planting them. They provide a stunning backdrop to the house and contain many unusual plants and shrubs. They were originally designed for fourteen gardeners and included the large Walled Garden which is now a Plant Centre. The new extensive hedging and topiary have created different areas and structure throughout the year which provide a perfect backdrop for the more intensive planting.
These recently award winning restored gardens, provide visitors with a fascinating insight into British history and taste.
Barnsdale Gardens are a collection of 38 inspiring gardens. Internationally known, they offer an award winning inspiring collection. Housing Britain's largest collection of individually designed gardens in an eight-acre site. Offering a range of garden styles and planting schemes they have been referred to as 'a theme park for gardeners’. Each one offers practical concepts as well as botanically labelled plants.
Burghley Gardens feature imaginative planting, sculpture and surprises sure to delight. Two spectacular gardens, each with their own distinct atmosphere and beauty. Horticulture, sculpture and sensational seasonal colour set in an undulating landscape. The Sculpture Garden is a beautiful and tranquil open-air gallery, home to a collection of striking sculpture. The works, on loan from more than 30 different artists, are displayed alongside sweeping borders, broad drifts of wildflowers and naturalistic planting, with views across Capability Brown's great lake. The enchanting Garden Of Surprises is inspired by the Elizabethan fascination with astrology, astronomy and Classical civilisations.
If you have a Peterborough garden design project that you wish to discuss, please contact us