Behind a high beech hedge, where southwest London meets wild common land, garden designer Lucy Willcox has created a hidden sanctuary blending mid-century structure with contemporary naturalistic plan

Within a framework of mature trees, this naturalistic Surrey garden contains a mix of informal planting and formal topiary

Nick Dakin-Elliot, who gardens in Tuscany, is still moved by the Italian hilltop gardens that command some of the most beautiful views in the world

Placed in the garden, a sculpture invites us to pause and appreciate both its beauty and that of the backdrop around it

The quiet beauty of winter sets the stage in this garden, where topiary shapes and the borrowed landscape are the main performers

A good time to visit The Old Rectory in Doynton is as dusk falls on a frosty December evening. Driving in through the gate, you’ll be cheered by the sight of two illuminated Portuguese laurel cylinder