Outdoor living garden design for a Regency property in Leckhampton, Cheltenham
A modern family garden designed for outdoor living
Type: Outdoor Kitchen Design
Area: Cheltenham
The garden:
This beautiful Regency house in Cheltenham is a prime example of how to combine contemporary with classic garden design. Lots of unused outdoor spaces gave us the opportunity to create several areas for all the family to cook, eat, relax and rest.
Family outdoor living
The brief:
This elegant Regency property in Leckhampton came with both history and potential. With separate access to the front and rear, we had the opportunity to phase the design - first transforming the front garden and driveway, then returning to redesign the rear garden a year or two later.
The house itself is classic Regency, full of symmetry and period detail at the front, but more contemporary at the rear following recent renovations. Our design needed to respect both sides of the home, balancing formal structure and historic materials with clean lines and family-friendly functions, such as an outdoor kitchen and multiple areas for relaxation.
Contemporary meets classic, a garden designed for outdoor living"
The design:
The client wanted a timeless and elegant look for the front garden and driveway - something that would feel appropriate to the age and architecture of the house. It was important to reinstate some of the historic detailing, while keeping the space low-maintenance and practical.
At the back, the family were keen to create a modern, sociable space for entertaining and relaxing. The focus became a bespoke outdoor kitchen and a mix of seating areas that would work for different times of day - and for different members of the family.
With bifold doors opening out from the rear of the house on different levels, the garden also needed to feel like an extension of the interior, seamlessly connected, with views and access carefully thought through.
Discover how we created useful outdoor spaces for all the family, all year round...
Front garden design:
At the front of the property, we removed an old hedge to open up the space and reinstate the original Forest of Dean stone plinths and railings. These historic features were paired with pleached trees, classic clipped hedging, and white hydrangeas to give the garden a smart, Regency feel. We also added Carpinus 'Frans Fontaine' trees near the entrance - tight, upright hornbeams that hold their shape beautifully, planted to reduce the dominance of a mature tree already in place.
We also reinstalled the original Forest of Dean stone pathway, echoing the materials originally used in the 1800s, and replaced the original box hedging (that had been damaged by caterpillar box moth) with yew for a more resilient long-term structure. To complement the formal planting, we installed a separate pedestrian entrance and upgraded the driveway in a grey resin-bound finish, complete with electric gates and a full garden lighting scheme.
Rear garden design:
At the rear, we focused on connecting the house and garden, despite a significant change in level. We raised the ground closest to the house to meet the threshold of the bifold doors, creating a generous porcelain terrace framed by planters.
To one side of the garden sits a mature bay tree, offering privacy from the neighbours but creating deep shade. Rather than remove it, we turned this corner into a shaded dining space, complete with a cantilevered cedar structure and green screen planting. A false gate and smart screening conceal a utility area, while the overhead canopy creates a cosy, intimate feel, especially when lit in the evenings. From here, the design leads naturally to a bespoke outdoor kitchen - sleek, understated, and perfectly in keeping with the modern rear elevation of the house.
The central lawn was retained for the family’s teenagers, framed on both sides by bold white Torc pots that echo the formality of the front. Two seating areas frame the lawn giving options for enjoying the outdoor space all year round.
View how this garden in Cheltenham transformed into a modern family garden
Gardens by Keltie & Clark - Modern family garden
Gardens by Keltie & Clark - Modern family garden
Gardens by Keltie & Clark - Modern family garden
Gardens by Keltie & Clark - Modern family garden
Gardens by Keltie & Clark - Modern family garden
Gardens by Keltie & Clark - Modern family garden
Gardens by Keltie & Clark - Outdoor living
Gardens by Keltie & Clark - Modern family garden
Modern family garden design Cheltenham | Keltie & Clark
Gardens by Keltie & Clark - Modern family garden
Gardens by Keltie & Clark - Modern family garden
The result:
The result is a garden that’s elegant and welcoming, modern yet timeless. Each part of the design supports family life - whether it’s cooking outdoors, entertaining friends, or finding a quiet moment in the sun.
“We have now completed two major projects with Keltie & Clark and we love the finished gardens and paved areas. Both have made a big impact on how our property looks and we are very satisfied with all aspects of their work. Well done Sam & Curstain!”
Mel and Marc Gillespe
“Our garden completely exceeded our expectations and looks amazing, from start to finish. Curstain, Sam and their team have been a pleasure to work with”
Terry
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