Courtyard garden design

A courtyard is its own discipline

A small courtyard is not a scaled-down version of a big garden; it is a different brief. Every surface is seen up close, so the materials and the detailing have to be excellent because there is nowhere to hide, and shade, drainage and access in an enclosed space all need real thought. Done well, a courtyard becomes an outdoor room you use far more than a larger garden you only cross.

Making a confined space work hard

The skill is making a small space feel generous rather than cramped. The right layout, a considered change of level, well-chosen materials and planting that does a lot with a little can make a courtyard feel like a found room rather than a leftover gap. We design at the scale the space deserves, with quality throughout, because in a small garden every detail is on show.

Shade, aspect and what will grow

Town and courtyard gardens are often shaded and enclosed, which puts people off planting them well. It should not. We choose planting that thrives in the light and the aspect you actually have, rather than fighting it, so the space feels green and alive rather than a token pot or two.

Drainage in an enclosed space

An enclosed courtyard has nowhere obvious for water to go, so drainage has to be designed in deliberately. We plan it so the space stays dry and usable, which is one of the things most often skipped in a small garden and most often regretted.

Worth doing properly

In the Georgian townhouses of Cirencester and the stone town centres across the area, these spaces are common and worth doing properly. Tell us about your courtyard and we will show you what it could become. Arrange a consultation to start.

• 01

  Sloping garden design and build

  Design and build for sloping and split-level gardens, turning a difficult gradient into usable, terraced space.

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• 01

  Garden design and build

  One firm to design your garden and build it, from survey and drawings through to the finished space.

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• 02

  Patios and paving

  Porcelain, York stone, limestone and Cotswold-stone patios laid on a proper base, with the levels and drainage right.

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• 03

  Planting and soft landscaping

  Planting schemes that suit the soil and the setting, planted to establish, not just to look good on handover day.

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Source: Gardenscape. Figures as of 2026-06-03.

• Is a small garden cheaper to design and build?

  Not per square metre. A courtyard is seen up close, so the materials and detailing have to be excellent, but the overall budget is usually smaller than a large garden because the area is smaller.

• What will grow in a shady courtyard?

  More than people expect. We choose planting that thrives in the light and aspect you actually have, rather than fighting it, so the space feels green and alive.

• Can a small courtyard be made to feel bigger?

  Yes, with the right layout, a considered change of level, the right materials and planting. Making a confined space feel generous is its own skill, and it is most of the brief.

• Do courtyards need drainage designed in?

  Yes. An enclosed space has nowhere obvious for water to go, so we design the drainage in deliberately to keep the courtyard dry and usable. It is one of the most commonly skipped details in a small garden.