Contemporary Surrey garden with layered planting and stone terrace

The Journal

Garden design and landscaping insight

Practical advice, design thinking and project stories from our Surrey studio — written to help you plan a garden you will genuinely use.

All articles Garden Design Landscaping Hard Landscaping Planting Outdoor Living Garden Maintenance Garden Rooms Driveways & Patios

A contemporary timber-clad garden room in a well-maintained UK residential garden, featuring a neat lawn, planted borders, and a paved pathway

Garden Rooms

Are Garden Rooms High Maintenance? What to Expect

Are garden rooms difficult to maintain? Discover what regular upkeep is required and how materials, drainage, ventilation and landscaping can affect maintenance.

Mekail25 September 20269 min read

A clean, well-maintained block-paved driveway at a UK residential home with neat hedges and a lawn.

Driveways & Patios

Block Paving Maintenance: How to Keep Your Driveway Looking New

Keep your block-paved driveway looking its best with practical maintenance advice covering cleaning, weeds, jointing, stains, drainage and repairs.

Mekail25 September 202610 min read

A well-maintained Surrey residential garden prepared for winter, featuring a lawn scattered with autumn leaves, a damp stone pathway, freshly mulched borders, and a traditional red brick house in the background

Garden Maintenance

How to Prepare Your Garden for Winter in Surrey

Prepare your Surrey garden for winter with practical advice on lawns, planting, trees, drainage, irrigation, patios, fencing and outdoor structures.

Mekail25 September 202610 min read

A partially completed warm-grey block paving driveway at a UK residential home, featuring a finished paved section alongside a prepared stone sub-base with stacked materials

Driveways & Patios

How Long Does a New Driveway Take to Install?

Planning a new driveway in Surrey? Find out how long installation can take and how groundwork, drainage, access, weather, size and your chosen surface affect the timeline.

Mekail25 September 202611 min read

Partially completed UK block paving driveway showing exposed foundation layers transitioning to a finished surface

Driveways & Patios

What Goes Under a Driveway? A Guide to Sub-Base and Foundations

What goes under a driveway? Learn how sub-bases, foundations, drainage and ground preparation work together to create a durable driveway for Surrey homes.

Mekail25 September 202611 min read

Garden Design

Garden Design Mistakes to Avoid in Surrey

Planning a new garden in Surrey? Learn the most common garden design mistakes, from poor drainage and planting choices to awkward layouts and difficult maintenance.

Mekail24 September 20266 min read

A pristine, light grey porcelain patio with a clean surface and crisp joints, surrounded by neat planting borders and a traditional residential brick home.

Hard Landscaping

Porcelain Patio Maintenance: How to Keep It Looking New

Keep your porcelain patio looking its best with practical maintenance tips for Surrey gardens, including cleaning, stain removal, joint care and seasonal upkeep.

Mekail24 September 20267 min read

A modern residential garden featuring a sleek, light-coloured patio with a contrasting dark stone border, set alongside a manicured lawn, planting beds, and a traditional brick home.

Hard Landscaping

How to Choose the Right Paving for Your Garden

Choosing the right paving can transform a garden. Compare porcelain, natural stone and concrete while considering style, maintenance, drainage and use.

Mekail24 September 20267 min read

A small, well-landscaped residential garden featuring compact ornamental trees, a neat lawn, and planted borders behind a traditional brick home.

Planting

Best Trees for Small Surrey Gardens

Choosing a tree for a small garden depends on more than appearance. Discover compact trees suited to Surrey gardens, plus tips on mature size, soil and position.

Mekail24 September 20266 min read

A stone path through layered planting leading to a brick house in a Surrey garden

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