From Waterlogged to Wonderful - A Sloped Garden Transformation in East Sussex

By Jamie Dobinson, Crafted Landscapes

Behind a modest 1960s bungalow in East Sussex lies a garden that tells a story of smart design, hands-on craftsmanship, and working with nature, not against it.

Once an awkward, sloping, and waterlogged plot riddled with clay soil, tree stumps, and natural springs, the 500m² site offered more headaches than most. But today, it’s a calm, functional, and beautiful outdoor retreat, proof that even the trickiest landscapes can become something special with the right approach.

Project Snapshot

• Size: 500m²

• Challenges: Clay soil, natural springs, slope, buried stumps

• Key Features: Spiral fire pit, terraced layout, paddlestone hardscaping, all-season planting

• Location: East Sussex

• Style: Naturalistic with structural bones and artisan detail

Lessons From the Site - Let the Land Lead

If you’re tackling a garden with poor drainage or uneven ground, this project offers a powerful lesson: don’t fight the land, design with it.

The natural springs and heavy clay made the site prone to soggy patches. Traditional approaches wouldn’t work. Instead, we embraced the site's quirks. The slope? Turned into terraced levels. Water issues? Solved with underground drainage woven into the hard landscaping design.

In difficult sites, your first move shouldn’t be levelling or draining everything, it should be observing. Let the conditions shape the concept.

Designing With Levels - Terracing for Function and Flow

Rather than flattening the slope, we used it. Subtle retaining structures created level platforms for different zones—seating, dining, planting, and paths. These platforms provide both usability and natural flow.

This kind of layout not only adds structure, but makes the garden feel larger by leading the eye up and across, rather than just side to side.

Even in small or sloped gardens, subtle level changes can help break up space without adding bulk or clutter.

The Spiral Fire Pit - Centre piece With a Purpose

The garden’s showstopper is a hand-built, sunken spiral fire pit—part sculpture, part social space. Clad entirely in quartz paddlestones (inside, outside, and top), the spiral draws people in and anchors the garden with a bold but organic presence.

Custom timber seating is integrated into the walls, creating a wind-sheltered zone perfect for evening gatherings.

If you want a wow-factor without over-designing the whole garden, go big on one feature, then let the rest of the space support it.

Paddlestones Done Differently - A Textural Touch

Throughout the garden, paddlestones are used in unusual ways: as patio surfacing, wall cladding, and path detailing. Unlike standard paving, they offer warmth and tactility, making the space feel grounded and handmade.

Carefully selected and laid by hand, they bring a natural variation that machines can’t replicate.

Look for locally available, natural materials that feel good underfoot and age beautifully, especially for gardens meant to evolve over time.

Planting That’s Calm, Cohesive, and Year-Round

The planting scheme was chosen to perform in all seasons and suit the site's conditions. Evergreen shrubs and structural grasses anchor the design, while layered perennials and seasonal highlights bring movement and softness.

It’s low-maintenance but not dull—designed to shift subtly across the year without dramatic overhauls.

Think in layers, ground cover, mid-height, and tall accents, and repeat key species across zones to keep things calm and connected.

Details That Make the Difference

From hidden drainage channels to precisely chiselled stone edges and integrated lighting, every element was custom-designed and built with longevity in mind.

In smaller or more detailed gardens, the craft matters more than the scale. What elevates a garden from good to great is precision and intention.

A Garden That Works With Its Owners’ Lives

Today, this garden is more than a beautiful space—it’s an outdoor extension of the home. The fire pit gets regular use, the planting evolves season by season, and the materials grow richer with age.

It’s a space designed not just to be admired—but to be lived in.

Great gardens don’t have to be show gardens. The real measure is how often you use and enjoy them.

Inspired to Transform Your Garden?

Whether you’re dealing with a sloped plot, soggy soil, or just want a space that feels more you, thoughtful garden design can unlock the potential of any site.

At Crafted Landscapes, we specialise in turning complexity into clarity, creating outdoor spaces that are beautiful, practical, and built to last.

See more projects at craftedlandscapes.co.uk

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