BEST SMALL GARDEN

When Sharron Pashley moved into her 16th-century home in 2017, the small courtyard garden was laid to gravel, with a rotten pergola and enormous shed taking up a large proportion of the 3.5 metres wide by 12 metres deep area. Undeterred by its size, her vision was to create an idyllic cottage garden feel.

Bradstone carpet stones now create a cobbled effect to complement the historic home, while a mix of cottage garden favourites planted in containers, including hydrangeas, lavender, clematis, roses and jasmine, fill the space with colour and scent. Displays of vintage railway memorabilia and enamel signs add the finishing touches.

‘Four years after moving in, our courtyard garden is now our pride and joy, and was an absolute sanctuary during lockdown,’ says Sharron.

Content editor Rachel Crow says: ‘We were inspired by how Sharron has proved that the size of your outdoor space is no obstacle to creating a dream garden. She has achieved so much with her small plot, and her clever use of landscaping and garden features makes the space feel so much larger.’