Courtyards & Pocket Parks

Restorative gardens, urban sanctuaries

In the heart of modern cities, pocket parks and courtyards offer moments of respite, providing sanctuaries of green space that enhance the urban experience. These small yet powerful landscapes allow us to reconnect with nature, engage with our communities, and create environments that foster wellbeing. From the reimagined courtyard at 86 Fetter Lane to the tranquil gardens surrounding historic landmarks like Hereford Cathedral and the Savoy Chapel at the Savoy, our pocket parks and courtyards reflect a deep commitment to transforming underutilised urban space into vibrant, functional areas.

St Mary’s is a Grade II- listed church in the heart of Islington, in a prominent location on busy Upper Street next to The Neighbourhood Centre and Little Angel Theatre. We created a new public space, a ‘pocket park’ that includes the former churchyard to the north beneath the London plane trees, and the street frontage to the west. St Mary’s churchyard is now a much more welcoming space that provides for the whole community, making it safer and more sociable. It has enhanced the character of the streetscape, helped to reduce pollution and provided habitat for local wildlife.

“These projects demonstrate how successful landscape design can improve and enrich the lives of those who experience them”

Located in the vibrant heart of Midtown, 86 Fetter Lane is a refurbished office space surrounded by lively bars, restaurants, and historic landmarks. The courtyard, once a simple passageway, was transformed into a dynamic and practical space that serves as both the building’s main entrance space and a pedestrian route connecting Fetter Lane to Holborn through the ancient Barnard’s Inn. We embarked on a comprehensive redesign of the outdoor space, aiming to create a place that was a welcoming and comfortable green space for the building’s occupants and the wider community. The courtyard integrates specimen planting, sculptural lighting, and bespoke site furniture, which gives it its own sense of place. The courtyard now features communal seating areas, creating an inviting atmosphere for al fresco lunches, client meetings, or wellness activities like yoga.

The landscape masterplan design for Hereford Cathedral aimed to enhance and revitalise the public spaces around this iconic landmark. Our approach improved accessibility and functionality, and provided a flexible event space for visitors and the congregation. This project successfully brought a renewed sense of harmony to the cathedral’s surroundings, enhancing both its aesthetic and functional value. One of the most striking elements of this transformation is the relocation of the Elgar statue by Jemma Pearson, which now forms a focal point at the St John Street entrance. We also created a new garden space in the Lady Arbour cloister, creating a reflective and immersive space.

“The whole area is quite amazing , beautifully created in an understated and gentle way and reviving an old area into such a delightful green space in the church garden.”

Paul Lanham