A small pond with a wooden dock and a chair on it, surrounded by trees and rocks.

Chew Magna Somerset
Reimagining a builders’ yard

The idea

Materials left by the previous owner have been reused to create seating and wildlife habitats. The client embraced the vision of an ecologically rich, diverse and natural garden.

The flora

The ground has been seeded or left to regenerate naturally, with mostly native trees planted to support wildlife and help the garden settle into its surroundings.

The detail

The standout feature is the curving dry stone wall emerging from the pond, built using reclaimed materials. Large stones provide basking spots, while a fallen branch offers shelter for wildlife. Across the water, a sheltered seat combines reclaimed tiles with salvaged brickwork, creating a quiet place to enjoy the pond.

Two large rocks partially submerged in still water, reflecting the rocks and a cloudy sky.
Wooden deck with large stone step and surrounding dirt ground.
Autumn garden pond with aquatic plants, landscaped stone drystone walling, oak dock, and surrounding trees

“The pond area is absolutely amazing.”

Chris

Rural house overlooking large wildlife pond and Chew Valley with oak overhanging deck and reclaimed stone walling emerging from pond
View across wildlife pond with oak jetty and drystone walling. Beautiful cedar tree as the backdrop
Concept design sketch for large wildlife pond
Overhanging oak jetty into wildlife pond with views across Chew valley and large cedar tree
Mown path through meadow and orchard
Reclaimed roof tile walling habitat for ground nesting bees and a place to sit and view the wildlife pond
Curved brick pathway with a brick pattern next to a raised garden bed with soil and mulch.
A stone retaining wall emerging from large wildlife pond
Regarded garden for new driveway through meadow and sculpted bank and bike pump track
Low drystone tone retaining wall bordering a gravel path in a wooded garden

Design
Eaglestone Gardens

Ecological Consultancy
Jo McKerr - Meadow Garden and Landscape Consultancy

Build
Minerva Landscapes

Photography
Tom Eaglestone

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