Windmill Bank

East Grinstead Garden Design – An Award-Winning Sustainable Landscape on the site of an Old Windmill

Set on the bluff of a hill at Selsfield Common near East Grinstead, this property occupies a generous 1.5-acre plot with sweeping southerly views across the Sussex Weald. Sheltered from north-easterly winds by surrounding woodland, yet exposed to strong south-westerlies and intense summer sun, the site required a thoughtful and resilient design approach.

The original garden was plain and underwhelming, failing to reflect the character of the country house or make full use of the landscape. Our redesign draws the wider countryside into the garden, creating a natural extension of its setting while introducing structure, intimacy, and usability close to the house.

The design focuses on the immediate areas surrounding the property, forming a strong planted foreground to the wider lawns. Clear routes and defined entertaining spaces were introduced, with a circular layout reinforced by a line of Pyrus ‘Chanticleer’ trees, providing light shade, structure, and subtle screening.

Sustainability underpinned the project. Existing materials, including the terrace, were lifted and relaid, with clay pavers introduced to create rhythm and reduce unnecessary waste. Soil was retained and regraded on site, minimising export and preserving the integrity of the land. Planting was selected for resilience, biodiversity, and low intervention, thriving in the exposed conditions without intensive irrigation.

The planting scheme draws on the language of the English country garden, with a palette of blues, purples, pinks, and whites, layered with grasses and prairie-style perennials to provide movement, habitat, and long seasonal interest. Looser margins and meadow areas further support wildlife and soften the transition into the surrounding landscape.

Recognised with awards from the SGLD, BALI, and Sussex Heritage Trust, the garden demonstrates a confident, sustainable approach to large-scale rural design. Completed in 2020 and now maintained with a light-touch, seasonal approach, it continues to evolve, a garden that feels both grounded and enduring.