Garden design in Stevenage and Knebworth
Old Town period gardens, new town plots and the estate villages of Datchworth and Walkern — design and build across north Hertfordshire.
Stevenage is two towns in one: the Old Town’s period houses and lanes, and the first of the post-war new towns, whose generous rear gardens have real design potential. Around it sit the estate-adjacent villages of Knebworth, Datchworth and Walkern, with village plots to match.
We design and build across all of it — the honest rectangle of a new town garden is one of the most rewarding briefs there is, because structure and layout change it completely.
New town rectangles and Old Town lanes
The new town’s rear gardens are wide, level and usually empty — a lawn and a fence. Our schemes give them rooms: a terrace by the house for eating out, structure — pergola or garden room — at the far end, and planting with winter bones so the garden holds its shape from the kitchen window in February.
In the Old Town, period plots want period manners: brick and stone, hedging, and front gardens that respect the lanes. Around Knebworth, Datchworth and Walkern, village gardens run larger — our schemes there lean on structure and shelter, with outdoor entertaining space for the plots that earn it.
Clay, access and the borough’s rules
North Hertfordshire clay runs under most of Stevenage, so drainage and sub-bases are designed for the ground, not assumed. And like the Harlow estates, some neighbourhoods carry covenants on front gardens; we check before drawing.
Where consent is needed — front gardens, conservation areas in the Old Town, large structures — we handle it through Stevenage Borough Council’s planning service.
Our new town garden is a bare rectangle — where do we start?
Layout first: terrace position, path structure, far-end destination, then planting. Most empty plots need three moves, not thirty — done well they transform the garden.
Can you build a garden office for hybrid working?
Yes — insulated, powered garden rooms are among our most requested Stevenage builds, and most are permitted development. Boundary rules are checked before drawing.
Are there covenant rules on front gardens here?
On some estates, yes, separate from planning. We check with the borough and any estate covenants at design stage.
Do you work in Knebworth, Datchworth and Walkern?
Yes, all three, plus the villages between them and Stevenage.
What does a garden design cost around Stevenage?
Design starts at around £1,500 for a concept; full design packages rise with plot size. Our garden design cost guide explains the ranges honestly.
Start your project
Arrange a design visit and we will walk the garden with you, listen to how you want to live in it, and set out what a design and build would involve.