This is a great design feature that plays with the surface water drainage turning it into a feature to be enjoyed rather than hiding it away underground to qquickly secret it away out of sight.  

The open gutter is designed more as a rill. The slates on the base have been laid to overlap so that they catch the water as it runs over, creating eddies and interesting movement alongside the path. Where a footpath crosses the rill, it goes over allowing the water to continue unhindered. I can imagine kids would chase it along its journey, cheering on the leaves caught in the flow. I need to go back when it’s raining to appreciate the full effect.  

This is at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. I know that Fira Landscapes were involved in the masterplanning of the parkland here so I should think that they are the designers behind this feature.  

Well worth visiting the NMA – lots of well cared for space, many heartfelt memorials and interesting designs commemorating various groups of people who are no longer with us. The grand Armed Forces Memorial is stunning and so well thought out that every tiny detail has a story to tell.