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01749 677777 –  Wells, Somerset

Redwood Stone

Stoneworks Show Garden

Stoneworks Show Garden

Stoneworks Show Garden

This is what a Folly is for

Hot Tubs in Garden Design

For some time now I’ve wanted to take on the challenge of how to incorporate a hot tub sympathetically in a garden design.

Hot Tub with folly surround
Hot Tub with folly surround
Hot Tub with folly surround
Hot Tub with folly surround
Hot Tub with folly surround
Hot Tub with folly surround

Our Folly at The Stoneworks Show Garden provides the perfect setting and backdrop to meet all your outdoor living ideas.

Folly in the Garden Redwood Stone
Folly in the Garden Redwood Stone
Folly in the Garden Redwood Stone
Folly in the Garden Redwood Stone
Folly in the Garden Redwood Stone
Folly in the Garden Redwood Stone
Folly in the Garden Redwood Stone
Folly in the Garden Redwood Stone
Folly in the Garden Redwood Stone
Folly in the Garden Redwood Stone

Many of the 18th century Follies were used for dining and entertaining. We think this alfresco garden scene fits the bill perfectly.

Alfresco Dining Folly Garden Ideas
Alfresco Dining Folly Garden Ideas
Alfresco Dining Folly Garden Ideas
Alfresco Dining Folly Garden Ideas
Alfresco Dining Folly Garden Ideas
Alfresco Dining Folly Garden Ideas

Nowadays many people are extending their living areas outside with Garden Rooms and the like. An Outdoor Kitchen is a must have addition.

Outdoor Kitchen BBQ Ice Bucket
Outdoor Kitchen Folly in the Garden ideas
Outdoor Kitchen Folly in the Garden ideas
Outdoor Kitchen Folly in the Garden ideas
Outdoor Kitchen Folly in the Garden ideas
Outdoor Kitchen Folly in the Garden ideas
Outdoor Kitchen Folly in the Garden ideas
Outdoor Kitchen Folly in the Garden ideas
Outdoor Kitchen Folly in the Garden ideas

Here it is, our BBQ surround complete with Ice Bucket and work surfaces. Now we can set about decorating it and setting it up as a working outdoor kitchen.

Outdoor Kitchen
Stoneworks Show Garden
Stoneworks Show Garden
Stoneworks Show Garden

We have built a delapidated wall linking last years’ Potting Shelter Garden to the Ruined Bell Tower with a broken doorway leading to the Spiral Steps.

Stoneworks Show Garden Spiral Steps
Stoneworks Show Garden Spiral Steps
Stoneworks Show Garden Spiral Steps
Stoneworks Show Garden Spiral Steps
Stoneworks Show Garden Spiral Steps

Here is a video of how to fit a ruined window head;

Gothic Window

For more details about our Gothic Windows please click here

Christmas at The Stoneworks

Recently we have added the Ruined Spiral Steps Wall and the Outdoor Kitchen either side of the Ruined Bell Tower

Christmas at The Stoneworks
Christmas at The Stoneworks
Christmas at The Stoneworks

We featured ‘How to design a Hot Tub into your Garden’ in this corner where the table is now

Christmas at The Stoneworks
Christmas at The Stoneworks

Then we set a scene for ‘How to add a Zing to Afreso Dining’ using the same space and a collection of eclectic props

Christmas at The Stoneworks
Christmas at The Stoneworks
Christmas at The Stoneworks

To cater for our Alfresco Dining  came ‘How to add Character to the Outdoor Kitchen’ in the lee of the Ruined Bell Tower

Christmas at The Stoneworks

Last but not least came our ‘Hang or Chill in a Boho Garden’ with a more arty, musical bent, set in the entire surroundings

2021

In early 2021, with ongoing Covid restrictions in mind and no Chelsea Flower Show in May, I designed a Chelsea/Hampton style Show Exhibit to build and stage here at the Stoneworks in Wells as a permanent, living and growing exhibit. 

The Start - why, how & when?

Summer 2021

The Reveal

The planting is finished now on the Garden….

…and the existing roses blend perfectly with the Peter Beales additions

There’s a lovely selection of plants selected with Lynn Riches Garden Design

The next project is to pimp the Potting Shelter

Stoneworks Show Garden Reveal
Stoneworks Show Garden Reveal
Stoneworks Show Garden Reveal
Stoneworks Show Garden Reveal
Stoneworks Show Garden Reveal
Stoneworks Show Garden Reveal
Stoneworks Show Garden Reveal

The Plants

Stoneworks Show Garden Plants

The Plant List:

Achillea ‘Summerwine’
Alchemilla mollis
Echinacea purpurea ‘Green Jewel’
Geranium ‘Rozanne’
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Little Lime’
Lavandula augustifolia ‘Hidcote’
Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’
Nepeta x faassei ‘Pursian Blue’
Pittosporum tenufolium ‘Silver Ball’
Rosa ‘Bonica’
Rosa ‘Chevy Chase’
Rosa ‘Minnehaha’
Rosa ‘Our Beth’
Rosa ‘The Fairy’
Salvia ‘Love and Wishes’
Salvia x jamensis ‘Nachtvlinder’
Stipa tenuissima
Verbena rigida ‘Santos Purple’

Spring

Here is a selection of videos from our Stoneworks Show Garden Spring Updates. A charming Gothic Folly complete with cottage garden planting to enhance it, and a couple of spring gardening tips.

Winter

The Potting Shelter by Candle Light

Christmas at The Stoneworks
Christmas at The Stoneworks
Christmas at The Stoneworks
Christmas at The Stoneworks
Winter Folly
Winter Folly

A cosy spot for Mulled Wine and Mince Pies

The Stoneworks at Christmas
The Stoneworks at Christmas
The Stoneworks at Christmas

Autumn

Autumnal Stoneworks Show Garden
Autumnal Stoneworks Show Garden
Autumnal Stoneworks Show Garden
Autumnal Stoneworks Show Garden
Autumnal Stoneworks Show Garden
Autumnal Stoneworks Show Garden
Autumnal Stoneworks Show Garden
Autumnal Stoneworks Show Garden
Autumnal Stoneworks Show Garden
Autumnal Stoneworks Show Garden
Autumnal Stoneworks Show Garden

Entrance

Barley Twist Candlesticks

Dog gates flanked by Barley Twist Candlesticks

Water features guard the steps

Water Features guard the steps

Potting Shelter

Antique Chair

Antique Chair

Gardening Essentials

A few Gardening Essentials

Wall sconce

Wall Sconce

Potting Shelter

What a lovely place to potter

Potting Shelter

This is a start, but plenty more to do

Central Bed

Romanesque Seat between two natural stone amphoras

Our Romanesque Seat (WRS02) nestling between two natural stone Amphoras

Features

Ruined Bell Tower

Manor House Gate Piers with steps

Surely these steps will come in handy somewhere

Still a work in progress

Stoneworks Show Garden

Another couple of climbers to be featured on our Show Garden

Another Rose lesson from Ian

Peter Beales’ rose guru Ian Limmer explains his recommendations

Out into the splendid Peter Beales Rose Garden to preview our selections

Our thoughts are turning to the planting now. Back in the Spring preparations were underway – with an environmental twist.

More from the early Spring preparations with another environmental tip.

Visit to Middlecombe Nursery

Planting Stoneworks Show Garden

Here are some of the plants we’ve selected

Stoneworks Show Garden Planting

We’ll have some of these Achillea ‘Summerwine’

Stoneworks Show Garden Planting Preparation

Starting to place the plants

Windows

It’s now time to start on the windows at the Stoneworks Show Garden. Things should start speeding up now so do keep tuned both here on our website and on social media!

Before fitting the window jambs on the Stoneworks Show Garden we attach some stainless steel builders band for an extra secure fix. This can be very useful for all components; Gothic Arches, Secret Door etc. 

The jambs are now bricked up giving us a stable platform to start on the window head installation. The first part of fitting the Quatrefoil Window Head; fixing the mullion.

It’s time to fit the Quatrefoil Window head at the Stoneworks Show Garden. This is the fun bit! After all the careful preparation, putting the window head on brings the whole thing to life.

We often add an extra detail under our windows to give the wall a more characterful 3D feel; first our Stone Roof Tiles

Second comes our String Course completing a more interesting look

Once the Cills are in place we fit the Jambs (side sections) next

Followed by the Mullions (centre sections)

Now we are ready for the Window Heads

We need to brick in the sides of the Heads straight away to hold them in place securely

Then we can concentrate on a little more detailed brickwork

Quadruple Light Gothic Window

Here is the finished Quadruple Light Gothic Window complete with Roof Tile/String Course detail and with Celebaration Friezes below

Roofing

Stoneworks Show Garden Roofing

Finished roof complete with reclaimed gutter and down pipe.

Flooring & Paving

Last Paver

Causeway

Plinth & Walling

Plinth

Our stone plinth sections laid all round and the start of the brickwork

Lower Walling Features

Parapet and Celebration Frieze details liven up the lower walling

Roof Tile String

A lovely String detail using our Stone Roof tiles runs through the brickwork

Lower Walling 2

In position to make a start on the Windows now

Plinth & Brickwork

Preparing to fit the Balustrade Crosses

Fitting the Balustrade Crosses

Plinth & Walling to Windows

Prep

Stoneworks Show Garden Preparation 1

The base of our recently dismantled Garden Room is the starting point

Stoneworks Show Garden Preparation 2

The first job was to empty the middle of the raised plinth

… where the Fireplace once stood

Extending the foundation where the Fireplace once stood

Stoneworks Show Garden Preparation 4

Extending the blockwork

Digger

Removing Hearth

Cleaning off the last remnants of brickwork

Finished Groundwork

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Hot Tub through the keyhole