Natural Family Garden Build London N2
The lower half of this family garden in East Finchley, London N2, was designed by Catherine Cochrane Garden Design and constructed by Acacia Gardens. Working closely with the garden designer, our team provided practical construction expertise throughout the project, helping resolve complex level changes while delivering the design as intended. The result is a naturalistic family garden featuring a wildlife pond, reclaimed York stone pathways, a Millboard deck, generous planting and carefully designed spaces for relaxation, storage and outdoor living. Sustainability was central to the build, with existing materials reused wherever possible to reduce waste and retain continuity with the original garden.
Photography: Anna Omiotek-Tott
A large wildlife pond forms the heart of the new garden, encouraging biodiversity and serving as a peaceful focal point. Constructing the pond required careful engineering because of London clay soil and the risk of groundwater pressure lifting the pond liner. Our team designed and built the pond to ensure long-term stability, allowing it to become a thriving habitat for wildlife and an attractive feature throughout the year.
New pathways were constructed from reclaimed York stone, complementing the character of the existing garden while providing durable, attractive access throughout the space. Additional reclaimed York stone already on site was reused around the bin storage area, helping minimise waste and create a seamless connection between old and new areas of the garden.
A Millboard composite deck creates a welcoming seating area overlooking the pond and surrounding planting. Designed as a peaceful place to relax, the deck extends the usable living space outdoors while offering excellent durability with minimal maintenance. A swing seat positioned nearby enhances the informal atmosphere and provides another place to enjoy the garden.
Sustainability played an important role throughout the project. Existing hardcore beneath the former artificial lawn was crushed and reused as sub-base for new paving and the shed foundation. A section of the original artificial grass was retained as an outdoor exercise area, while existing plants were divided and replanted to reduce the number of new plants required. These measures reduced waste while making the best use of materials already available on site.
Naturalistic Planting and Wildlife Garden
The planting scheme was supplied by the garden designer and carefully installed and mulched by the Acacia Gardens team. Layered trees, shrubs and perennials surround the pond and pathways, softening the hard landscaping and providing year-round texture, seasonal colour and valuable habitat for birds, insects and pollinators. The planting integrates naturally with the existing garden to create one cohesive outdoor space.
Practical Family Garden Features
Alongside the ornamental elements, the garden incorporates practical spaces for modern family life. Dedicated areas were created for a shed, composting and garden storage, while the retained exercise area provides a flexible space for fitness and recreation. Every part of the garden has been designed to balance functionality with natural beauty.
This project demonstrates how successful collaboration between garden designer and landscape contractor can deliver exceptional results. By working closely throughout construction, we were able to solve complex technical challenges while remaining true to the original design vision. Careful attention to sustainability and high-quality, practical construction methods allowed us to transform an underused part of the garden into a beautiful natural space that will continue to evolve and be enjoyed for many years.
Herman Pobrati
Managing Director Acacia Gardens Ltd
