Sensus Design Studio

Garden Walls & Masonry Details

OUR INSPIRATION:
GARDEN WALLS &
MASONRY DETAILS

Weathered brick garden walls enclosing a curved stone path
Weathered brick garden walls enclosing a curved stone path

Masonry walls, steps, and gate columns are often details Jesse romanticizes when touring the grounds of a grand estate, manor, or country home. They add charm that almost always goes unnoticed, fading into the background among the interest of sculpted hedges, wildflower gardens, water features, and what is often beautiful architecture serving as the backdrop. With that in mind, I wanted to share some of our favorite examples of masonry elements set among gardens that we have experienced through our travels.

Moss-covered brick wall beside a planted border

What I love about these details is their ability to add structure among even the most chaotically laid out landscapes. They can serve to create visual order, demark entrances, formalize walkways, draw the eye to a unique species, and demark different “garden rooms.” They also often serve as an extension of the character of the facade, drawing the architectural design intention to different corners of the grounds they sit on.

Stone steps and balustrade overlooking a winter garden
Stone garden steps between low walls and clipped hedges
Lawn with animal sculptures leading to stone gate pillars
Curved gravel path beside a tall stone wall

If I had to sum it up, these features add a feeling of structure, effort, and permanence to a landscape design plan that makes it feel like you are wandering through one big courtyard that is hugged by the home, or elements that feel like an extension of it.

Timber garden gate set into a stone wall beneath trees
Ornate arched stone gateway lit by a lantern

The collection of images I have included here features examples of masonry details positioned throughout gardens that we personally experienced the charm of in both England and France, including Hidcote Manor and Gardens, Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa, La Borde, Buckland Manor, and Cliveden House. We hope you enjoy our photography as much as we did taking these shots!

Climbing foliage on stone garden buildings beside a gate
Timber gate between stone walls beneath a dark hedge
Country manor seen beyond a walled garden entrance
Weathered stone balustrade beside a lawn and trees
Autumn garden planting above a stone retaining wall
Iron gate between stone walls framing a village house
Small arched opening in a weathered garden wall