Framed by mature hornbeams and a woodland fringe, the garden transitions from a grand, structured terrace into tranquil meadows and flowing parkland. The arrival space is anchored by a circular pond and a reimagined water tower, which serves as a modern folly. From here, a terrazzo path meanders through immersive, colourful planting, bisected by a formal promenade that pays homage to The Regent’s Park’s classic geometry. This path culminates in a grand roundel, while intimate gravel paths invite visitors to explore quieter pockets of the site. Existing woodland buffers have been enhanced with native understory planting, and a new western coppice softens views of the service yard. We carefully sculpted the landform to reuse site materials, creating diverse microclimates and gentle undulations. By burying the water tower’s basement, we created a prominent hill that offers elevated views, accessible via both stepped and winding paths.
The Path of Service: A formal path cuts through the centre of the garden from the circular pond to the roundel at the garden’s heart. This axis symbolises the late Queen’s commitment to service and her unwavering duty. The route is tapered, gently rising and narrowing towards the roundel to create a play on perspective and increased sense of drama. This device was inspired by our restoration of Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe’s Water Gardens in Hemel Hempstead.
The Path of Life: In direct contrast, a gentle meandering path leads visitors through the gardens at a more leisurely pace, reflecting the changes and chapters of the late Queen’s personal life.
The Cut Through: A cut-through formed by large Yorkstone blocks, split using a traditional stitch drill, symbolises the intersection between duty and personal life, and Queen Elizabeth’s II enduring strength as a monarch.
The roundel forms the heart of the garden and a tranquil place to pause within London’s busy city centre. A circular bench surrounds the roundel, gently framing the space in a protective embrace. The roundel’s focal point is a magnolia tree (Magnolia salicifolia 'Wada's Memory'), chosen to flower around Elizabeth II’s birthday. It is encircled with a quotation from the late Queen: “We all need to get the balance right between action and reflection. With so many distractions, it is easy to forget to pause and take stock.” Queen Elizabeth II’s 2013 Christmas broadcast.
Decorative metalwork wraps around the re-imagined former water tower. It features decorative metalwork designed in collaboration with Ian Thackray, a traditional blacksmith and alumnus of The King’s Foundation. The metalwork symbolises the four home nations through motifs of thistle, leek, shamrock, and rose, as embroidered on the late Queen’s coronation gown, each individually forged by an artisan blacksmith from their respective nation.
The garden honours the Commonwealth through both planting and architectural structure. Each of the 14 pergola posts comprises four uprights. In total, there are 56 uprights, representing the 56 member countries of the Commonwealth. The structure’s upward reach, supporting growth and life, symbolises the unity and strength of the Commonwealth.
