This leafy tunnel funnels you towards the hidden bench that’s calling you to sit a while to think, chat, take in the sounds, smells, atmosphere. Green is known to be a calming colour and dominates the subtle colour palette of this design – if you look closely you’ll see there is a huge range of greens here, some soft, pale yellow; some bluey-grey; off-ivory; beige; an almost-black browns; greys. Making a relaxing and gentle view to contemplate for a while. 

The tunnel structure is a sturdy galvanised steel structure overplanted with grapevine and underplanted with thyme. It’s only about 2m tall, a convenient height to pick the grapes and prune the vine. Plenty of head space for 5’2″ me, so I experienced this as just the right height to feel enclosed and protected. My 6’3″ husband would rather walk round the outside than duck through the leaves! Different people will experience a place differently – but we can both sit on the bench a appreciate the view and the scent from the thymes…his feet firmly on the ground, mine swinging like a childs!  

This wouldn’t work so well if there was a seat where I’m standing taking the photo – no one is comfortable sitting directly opposite strangers, not at this distance. It’s not very restful when you can make out the faces of the other people and the mood of their conversation. If you want to include lots of seating places in your design, think very carefully about how you orientate them as well as where you situate them and how closely you arrange them. There are clever ways to help with this, using planting, angles of sight, eyecatchers, views, nooks, crannies. I find it quite frustrating when I see seats arranged too closely or directly opposite each other or without a view – there’s thought for the aching legs, but no thought for the person they carry.  

Another National Trust venue – Powis Castle, Welshpool. Lovely place.