London Courtyard Garden

This split level London garden combines a sunny Mediterranean terrace with a shady tropical courtyard – two connected spaces flowing into one  another.

Contemporary floating steps lead from the basement kitchen to the outside space. Elevated bamboo creates privacy, while the steps lead up through sub-tropical ginger lilies, tree fern, banana and leopard plants to the upper level. En route is a landing with a light sculpture that comes into its own after dark.

This terrace is a podium garden built over a half-submerged basement. It is designed for relaxation and socialising.  The planting is in pots with Olives, Feijoa, Chinese witch hazel and Myrtle providing structure. The generous pots are filled with evergreen shrubs and colourful flowering plants to create a lush roof garden. 

Every detail in this garden has been carefully considered- from the immaculate craftsmanship of the hard landscaping to the wall planter brackets that echo the garden gate.

With clean lines, bright colours and lush planting throughout, it is a vibrant and relaxing haven for the owners to enjoy.

Photos: Copyright Richard Bloom and Rosemary Coldstream

Built by Landform Consultants.

The garden is a winner at the British Association of Landscape (BALI) Awards 2025 in two categories: Design Excellence and Joint Contractor and Designer Collaboration Award.

Winner logo for British Association of Landscape National Landscape 2025 Awards
London Roof garden with outdoor sofa, coffee table, whitewashed pots and colourful Mediterranean plants.
City Courtyard garden with Porcelain floating steps leading to wall art on rendered wall. Tropical planting either side of steps.
Whitewashed terracotta low bowl planter with colourful plants flowering red and pink.
Night time in a london garden with floating steps lit by LED strip lights. Steps lead to neon sculpture of a nail head on a rendered wall. Surrounded by lush tropical plants lit by garden spot lights.
London Roof garden with outdoor sofa, coffee table, whitewashed pots and colourful Mediterranean plants.
London city garden at side of house with bright colourful plants in whitewashed terracotta pots.
Split level city courtyard garden with porcelain paving and steps. Tropical and Mediterranean in whitewashed terracotta planters.
City Courtyard garden with porcelain floating steps between lush subtropical planting.
Whitewashed terracotta planter with colourful spring tulips and bright wallflowers.
Split level city courtyard garden with porcelain paving and steps. Tropical and Mediterranean in whitewashed terracotta planters.
Open doors from basement looking to sleek contemporary garden. Porcelain paving and floating steps with lush tropical planting.
Night time in a london garden with floating steps lit by LED strip lights. Steps lead to neon sculpture by James Clar of a nail head on a rendered wall. Surrounded by lush tropical plants lit by garden spot lights.