This small garden in Pontypool was designed for spending time outside. The finished layout brought together raised beds for planting, a slate dining area, a built-in fire pit, a BBQ area, solar lighting and slate fencing to give the space some privacy.

We have no photos of this particular garden to show. The gallery on this page comes from other Pontypool jobs we have landscaped, which show some of the same kinds of work: new paving, brick walls, fencing and low-maintenance lawns. Each caption says what that photo shows.

How the features fit a small plot

In a compact garden, the trick is to give each zone one clear job and keep the walkways between them simple.

  • Raised beds bring the planting up to a comfortable height, give crisp edges and stop soil spilling onto paving.
  • A slate dining area gives a firm, level surface for a table and chairs, and slate's dark tone suits a modern scheme.
  • A built-in fire pit turns the seating area into somewhere to sit on cooler evenings, not just in high summer.
  • A BBQ area keeps cooking in one spot, away from the planting and close to the table.
  • Solar lighting needs no cabling, so it suits a small garden where digging in cables would disturb finished surfaces.
  • Slate fencing screens the garden from neighbours and ties in with the dining area.

What the photos in this gallery show

One set appears to follow a sloping Pontypool garden from start to finish. It began with a lawn behind a low buff brick wall, with gravel and pots on a lower level. We brought in a mini digger and a tracked dumper to strip it out, and the finished garden has a grey sandstone patio, new buff brick walls and a raised brick step up to an artificial lawn edged in gravel, with new timber fencing round it.

Two more photos show a fence beside a flight of concrete steps, first the old stained close-board fence and then a new one of fresh timber boards. The first photo in the gallery is a small walled courtyard with multi-coloured block paving laid in herringbone around an artificial lawn with timber edging.

For more about planning a garden like this, see our landscaping and garden design page, low-maintenance garden ideas for Pontypool homes and our local page on landscaping in Pontypool. The fencing and patio paving pages cover those parts in more detail.

Questions About This Job

Can a small garden have a fire pit?

Often, yes, as long as it is sited well away from fences, sheds and overhanging plants, and on a solid, non-flammable base. We can suggest a sensible spot for one in your space.

Is solar lighting bright enough for a garden?

Solar lights give a soft glow rather than floodlighting, which suits seating and paths. They work best where the panels get plenty of daylight.

How do you fit so much into a small garden?

We plan the zones first, then choose surfaces and walls that do more than one job: a raised bed wall can double as seating, for example.

How do I get a design for my garden?

Get in touch and Tony and the team will come out, talk through your ideas and give you a free quote.