Wildlife-friendly family garden, Leyton, London

Welcoming friends, family and wildlife in equal measure

In Leyton, east London we’ve crafted a wildlife-friendly family garden in dialogue with the broader architectural enhancements made to the house. 

A generous terrace spills out from the kitchen with a beautiful oak table and benches at the heart of it. Gradual generous, playful steps create a garden that entertains easily, with space for lounging and seating friends and family. Resilient planting hugs the steps, softening the edges.

Beyond the steps, the garden gives way to crab apples and an urban meadow, where we have replaced the lawn with nectar-rich species and early season bulbs to welcome in wildlife.

Further on, the kitchen garden with raised beds is full of seasonal produce and cut flowers as well as characterfully gnarly apple trees. A reclaimed stone basin features with a useful tap point.

At the end of the garden, screened by yew hedging, a storage zone provides practicality without compromising the family garden’s aesthetic appeal.

Construction and aftercare: Farm Lane Landscaping

Photography: Harris Bugg Studio