The Royal Parks commissioned HTA Design to create a garden that serves as a lasting tribute to Queen Elizabeth II. This new two acre garden transforms a former store-yard into a biodiverse, climate-resilient landscape. The garden references the late Queen throughout, from its layout to its structures and choice of plants.
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A formal promenade, tapered to create a sense of perspective, represents her lifelong commitment to service. In contrast, a terrazzo path gently meanders through the garden, reflecting the changing chapters of the late Queen’s life.
A pergola with 56 uprights celebrates the unity of the Commonwealth. The former water tower has been retained and repurposed as a focal point, featuring decorative metalwork, designed in collaboration with The King’s Foundation, and forged by blacksmiths from the four home nations.
Strong seasonal interest is created throughout the year through massed perennials, specimen shrubs and trees, woodland edge planting, flowering meadows and clusters of water lilies within the central pond. These provide valuable wildlife habitat and a huge boost in biodiversity, achieving 184% BNG. The planting selection has been carefully chosen to adapt to the UK’s changing climate.
Many plant species have been included because of their significance to Queen Elizabeth II including lily of the valley, rosemary and myrtle. Others were chosen for their royal association, including Tulipa ‘Royal Celebration’, Magnolia ‘Windsor Beauty’ and Wisteria ‘Royal Purple’.
Designed to adapt to a changing climate, it embraces the idea of a slow garden, one that will establish and mature over time, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy London’s natural beauty and biodiversity.
Central to both the design and its aesthetic was the reuse of materials arising from the demolition of the site’s greenhouses, resulting in an estimated 80% reduction in embodied carbon when compared with typical practice.
We are proud to have been included in this historic project that will celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s legacy for generations to come. After a royal opening ceremony attended by Princess Anne, the new garden will be to the public to enjoy on 27th April.
The Design Team:
- Client: The Royal Parks
- Lead Designer, Landscape Architect, Sustainably and Principal Designer: HTA Design
- Planting Design: Dr Noel Kingsbury
- Landscape Construction: Blakedown Landscapes
- Soil Scientist: Tim O’Hare Associates
- Architect: Tate + Co Architects
- Civil and Structural Engineer: Price and Myers
- Programme Manager and QS: Fulkers Bailey Russell
- Lead Blacksmith and Alumnus of The King’s Foundation: Ian Thackray