Sensory Garden, Pilgrims Hospices, Canterbury, Kent, UK
Sensory Garden, Pilgrims Hospices, Canterbury, Kent, UK

Sensory Garden, Pilgrims Hospices, Canterbury, Kent, UK

Sensory garden re-design of an existing garden

Sensory garden for Pilgrims Hospices existing site in Canterbury, Kent. This project is funded from Tesco Groundwork’s 5 pence per bag scheme, donations and fundraising events held by Pilgrims Hospices. The site is very large considering the hospice is in the city, and the gardens that are maintained by volunteers wrap round the buildings. There are really two main gardens, a long lawn and a rectangular lawn with a raised pond and seating. Over the years as the hospice has grown the garden has lagged behind from a design point of view. There was a narrow concrete path, right up against the walls of the building, in deep shade, and the doorways were too high for patients to get out of, especially if they are in a wheelchair or are bed-bound. The concrete ramps that do exist are also too short and too low for the doors. Working with the client the garden offers a holistic approach to the care given to the patients. Now bed-bound patients can go outside. Private seating areas allow patients, family members and staff to sit quietly, surrounded by planting, without blocking the routes around the space. Edges to pathways stop wheels from ending up in the flower beds. The planting is naturalistic, loose and colourful and excites all of the senses. Private seating areas are the prefect spot for a cuppa or to chat to a friend or family member. Phase 2 on the other side of the building will commence at a later date.

https://www.marklanedesigns.com/project/category/institutional/

http://www.marklanedesigns.com/project/category/public/