Uldale

This very steep, long and narrow site is situated on the lower slopes of a mountainside to the north of the Skiddaw range and is divided in two by the house, once a motley collection of cottages and a barn which have been sympathetically converted into the present long, low, white building overlooking the Cumbrian Way.

The Client’s original request was for the area of rough paddock, to the west side of the house, to be designed – in a naturalistic style and with sweeping borders - and the rest of the 1.2 acre site simply tidied up although, for design purposes, it was thought best to treat the site as a whole.

Stripped and treated log poles had been used to retain earth around the back and sides of the summerhouse when this had been erected two years previously. There were also rustic arches in existence both at the side of the garage and at the steps down to the pathway which lead to the Cumbrian Way. The Clients wished to retain these archways and therefore it was decided that, since this was in keeping with the nature of the site, the same treatment would be used elsewhere in the construction of steps and other structures.

Not only did the site slope in a general direction, it sloped less obviously, in every other conceivable way. The lawn itself was very undulating and, when investigated, revealed boulders and bedrock close to the surface and, in fact, some of the boulders were incorporated into the beds.

The many saplings which had been planted in recent years were taken into account when designing the beds and borders, although the Designer was not too slavish to this consideration. The width of existing borders was increased to allow more generous planting and to provide privacy from passers by.

The existing shrub bank had required extensive use of the ‘strimmer’ and, although killing off the grass and covering with a weed-suppressing membrane seemed the obvious solution, in this setting it was not an option since, due to the steepness of the slope, it would not have been possible to disguise any membrane used with bark or gravel. It was decided, therefore, that a systemic herbicide would be used - one which works by way of translocation and, therefore, is unlikely to have any adverse ecological effect. Two applications were applied, and a third spot-application on the few persistent weeds remaining. Only wind-blown seedlings would then be able to take root and these would be simple enough to eradicate whilst other plant material was maturing.

It was decided that, where possible, the embankment leading down to the stream should be planted up with suitable indigenous material which would form a back-ground to the curving border at the top of the embankment.

Although this garden was never going to be ‘easy-care’, winding pathways through the shrub bank were planned to enable easier access for maintenance. They would also allow more of the garden to be used and link the utility area, at the foot of the bank, with the upper levels.

It was hoped to include a pathway linking the blind spot in the corner above the summerhouse bank with the area at the main entrance to the Paddock Garden but roots and rocks again made this unfeasible.

It was most annoying to have a stream, albeit miniscule, on site and not be able to utilise it. However, the stream, which divided the Paddock Garden from the neighbouring property, was at the bottom of a ravine-like drop making it impossible to reach. A flying deck was considered in this area but was discarded for various reasons, the main one being expense.

Since the Clients had requested a wildlife pool which could be viewed from the summerhouse, the adjacent bank seemed the most fitting place to site such a pond. In fact, two pools were planned with water flowing from a smaller pool into a watercourse connecting the two.

It was planned to bed groups of substantial chunks of the local granite or slate into the bank surrounding the pool, and slate was the preferred choice since this would provide a more natural, albeit directional, structure to the outcrops. Fortunately, and a very important consideration, the summerhouse bank was quite close, and downhill, from the land so manoeuvring the rocks into place would not be too problematical.

It was planned that the pond should overflow into an area downhill from – and adjacent to - the pond and that this area would be lined accordingly to provide a boggy area.

As one approached the Paddock Garden from the main entrance on the driveway, the eye was taken directly to a huge Sycamore at the end of the lawn. It was decided to erect a group of Shap granite standing stones – the largest, ‘Big Fella’ being 2.4 metres high - beneath the sycamore and to install electricity so that they could be illuminated. The garage already had a suitable supply of electricity so it was thought that extending it into the garden would not present any serious difficulties.

The narrowly triangular patch at the highest point in the garden catches the last of the evening sunlight and provided a perfect place to place a seat from which one could admire the view. It was planned that shelter from cold northerly winds - as well as privacy from upstairs windows of the adjacent house - would be afforded by a semi circular screen of stripped log poles of various heights and a pergola, lower down the slope, would frame the view as well as detract from the telegraph pole.

Seating would also be provided in an alcove in the pathway where it divides half way down the shrub bank, as well as the utility area and the ‘cul-de-sac’ area overlooking the pond.

A pergola, similar to that which was to frame the view near the top level of the garden, was to be erected at the main entrance to the Paddock Garden and this would frame the view of the standing stones when approaching the garden.

Although the Designer would have felt much happier without these, fences were erected and gates added to prevent the family pets from entering the Paddock Garden and spoiling the pond.

At the side of the garage, a concrete base for a shed had been laid and it was decided that the base should be extended to take a decent sized greenhouse since the roof of this would not have so great an impact on the view. Additionally, plant material was to be selected so as to provide a screen whilst not obscuring the view from the summerhouse.

Compost bins were to be provided adjacent to the sheds - which were to remain - and a new, and more secure, gate was to be provided at the entrance to the Cumbrian Way.

Once the Paddock Garden had been completed, the Clients gave instructions for work to continue on what has now become known as Phases II and III. Phase II being the areas both at the front and back of the house between the Paddock Garden and the Orchard Garden which is now known as Phase III.

A large split-level ‘flying’ deck has now been constructed at the side of the house and around the conservatory. Not only does this increase the usable space ten-fold, it also prevents by-passers looking upwards into the conservatory from the Cumbrian Way, three metres below.