What I'm working on - a sneaky peak

The lovely Swan Hotel in the South Lake District in Newby Bridge, is having a fantastic face lift. They are spending £6m on a new fabulous spa inside / out area, and as it requires a sizeable extension, the grounds are undergoing massive change. The Marina is next for development after this.

Working via Sam Westcott at Lakeland gardens (great landscapers, highly recommended), I am lucky enough to be part of this historic hotels next chapter. It started out in the 17th century as a coaching inn, so a lot to live up too.

Below: The hotel and a selection of its beautiful rooms

The classic contemporary make over needs its outside spaces to reflect the same style and taste level (as well as having to thrive with the Lake District weather...let alone a potential temporary river flooding...).

Close to the hotel we are reflecting this look with a contemporary more modern formal style that relaxes into a wilder, wild life friendly areas.

The mood boards for inspiration.

We are planting 100+ trees (the majority native to the Lakes), creating a blackthorn based native hedging, adding wild flowers and shrubs, that will look good all year round, but especially in winter.

Here's a sneak peak of some of the trees we are adding:

Pinus sylvestris Prunus accolade Acer campestre Sorbus Commixta

....and a sneak peak at the key perennials, shrubs and bulbs that will enhance the hotels good looks all year round.

Hydrangea strong Annabelle combined with grasses and ornamental hedging and softened with long flowering perennials, such as geranium nodosum. Adding bulbs such as White Alliums and White Camassias (as well as tulips, snowdrops and bluebells), will add early floral interest from February to October.

There is a beautiful 9 mile walk from the hotel to Windermere, along the lakes shoreline. If this isn't your thing, you can walk for 5 minutes and get the Lakeside steam railway to Windermere...or drive (20 minutes away).