Edible Cottage Garden – Old Amersham
Transformation of the back garden of this historic brick and flint cottage in Old Amersham into an edible and scented escape.
This young couple had recently renovated a historic brick-and-flint cottage in Old Amersham and wanted to make the most of their small outdoor space.
The garden was an irregular shape and split across two levels. A large Holm Oak dominated the space, and the boundary fence was very visible. Although it felt tight and a little neglected, it had plenty of potential. One boundary was formed by a beautiful brick-and-flint wall, which became a key feature. The clients were open to making significant changes to help the space work better.
They wanted a garden that could comfortably entertain up to four people, with extra seating for two if needed. They imagined cooking and eating outdoors, as well as relaxing together and playing board games. A portable fire pit was a possible addition, but practical storage was essential.
There was no need to keep the existing lawn. Instead, the clients were keen to include as many edible plants as possible, alongside a soft, calming planting palette.
Access to the garden was very limited. Materials could either be brought through the house, which we hoped to avoid, or through a neighbouring garden with the kind permission of their neighbours.
The garden has now been completely transformed into two distinct areas – upper and lower – using materials that reflect the local heritage. Brick, flint, tiling, and natural stone are combined with decorative panels and CorTen steel screens, a modern material that nods to the property’s rustic, agricultural past. The Holm Oak was retained, adding dramatic height and a mature element to the space.
The layout was carefully rethought, with the low retaining wall pushed further from the house to make the lower area feel more open. This space is paved with hard-wearing clay pavers in a traditional herringbone pattern. A built-in hardwood seat in the brick-and-flint wall is perfectly positioned for a morning coffee, just two steps from the garden door.
Beautiful tile risers line the steps, alongside a brick-and-flint wall topped with creamy sandstone. The wide stone coping doubles as a ledge, ideal for the couple’s Green Egg barbecue.
The upper garden is filled with herbs, scented plants, and edibles. Trained fruit trees line the boundaries, and scented climbers climb a sturdy oak archway, framing the approach. A sandstone path winds through the planting, leading to a stone circle edged with porphyry setts – the main entertaining area. A raised planter in the sunniest corner is filled with Mediterranean herbs and strawberries, topped with a curved hardwood bench. A laser-cut panel featuring a pair of red kites – a familiar sight in the Chilterns – adds a unique finishing touch, designed for the clients especially by Chiltern Garden Design.
The rear garden is more practical, with a timber shed and water butt, screened behind woodland-style CorTen steel panels and accessed through another oak archway.
Even before the garden was fully finished in early 2025, the couple were thrilled with the transformation. So much so, it became the backdrop for a very special moment – their engagement, right in the middle of winter!