18th century Sydney Gardens is a key component in the Georgian masterplan of Bath and the World Heritage Site.  Despite their considerable charm, mature trees and surviving historic features, they had suffered from several years of ad-hoc additions and infrastructure – with underused landscape and buildings. 

Our design proposals and supporting Conservation Management Plans established the foundation for new design through historic analysis, ground survey and research, establishing significance and therefore the capacity for change.`

Following previous unsuccessful lottery bids, our successful planning & funding application for twice the amount was developed with Friends and Stakeholders. We produced a comprehensive package of conservation, restoration and new design to promote use, character, improve maintainability and biodiversity, public access, education, and enjoyment.

We developed a buildings strategy as an integral part of the landscape masterplanning process  to re-introduce the joy and playfulness expected in a pleasure garden, while retaining the heritage, peace and tranquillity that people value today. In doing so we redistributed visitors to lesser used areas, making the whole site function better for all to ensure that access is universal. We created a ‘dementia friendly’ Garden, developing the designs to improve circulation, thus designing out existing dead ends that dementia sufferers find distressing.