Trebah – The Court Garden
After 3 years of detailed design discussions, multiple iterations and close collaboration between us, the Garden Committee and Head Gardener, and an 18 month delay caused by the pandemic, the Court Garden was opened to the public in May 2023.
The concept was simple – to create a new walled garden at Trebah. The garden has been created on the footprint of a former tennis court. The first stage was to install a complex ground source heating array which required the design to have minimal ground level planting. The traditional design layout arose from a series of conceptual iterations including some more contemporary ideas and concluded with agreement that the garden should have, at its heart, an easily understood historical layout. We designed the pavilion structures and early design details for the remaining elements which were developed into a contract package by the Richard Thomas Partnership.
Trebah Garden’s Chairman Robert Dudley-Cooke says that when he first came to the garden around forty years ago the lack of a walled garden was something that he noticed…
…Over the years we’ve made great changes to the garden; there’s now an impressive amphitheatre and the access to our private beach has been improved. When the opportunity to create an entirely new garden within Trebah’s footprint came along we were excited by what could be created.
Richard Sneesby was commissioned to design the garden, which has an impressive granite water feature at its centre. The project has used Cornish contractors as much as possible to achieve its aim. The main entrance gates were made by Kevin Geary, a local blacksmith, the stone comes from Trebarwith Quarry and the main contractors are Marnick Builders, based a few miles away in Falmouth.”
The garden was planted by the Head Gardener Darren Dickey along with members of his team “Many of the plants we’re using have been grown on-site,” says Darren. “We know what grows well here – it’s a truly Cornish garden”.
LOCATION: Falmouth
CLIENT: Trebah Gardens
…Trebah is one of this country’s most important gardens, so it was a delight to take on the challenge of creating this new space. I wanted to use plants which appeal to all the senses within the walls, include shelter from the elements and, taking advice from accessibility experts and disability practitioners, design seating and spaces on a surface which is non-slip and wheelchair friendly. It really is a garden for everyone. (Richard Sneesby)