Garden on the edge

Designed by Harrison Sutton Partnership, this contemporary family home is set into a cliff overlooking Polzeath Beach on Cornwall’s north coast. With the house occupying much of the steep, challenging site, every part of the garden had to work hard. The design prioritises family life, with generous terraces for socialising, sunbathing and a hot tub taking priority over lawns and planting. Earthy limestone from Natural Stone Consulting wraps around the house, anchoring the architecture and unifying the terraces. A simple Millboard deck connects the garden with the balconies; building it over the bedrock rather than excavating reduced construction costs. An inexpensive slatted fence runs the length of the plot, helping to contain vigorous hillside scrub and brambles while providing privacy from homes across the valley and some shelter from the wind. The exposed coastal conditions – full sun, salt-laden winds and shallow topsoil – guided the planting palette. Cordylines, Libertia, Pittosporum and Agapanthus ‘Charlotte’ were selected for their ability to thrive in this demanding setting. Photographs were taken six months after planting.

Hard landscape construction & groundworks: Harbour Construction

Soft landscape & planting: In-house

Photography: Maddie Meddings