Coastal
Overview
This coastal courtyard garden design in Whitstable, Kent was created as an outdoor room for a seafront property with direct access to the beach. The garden needed to balance openness with privacy, while making the most of its unique coastal setting and elevated views from the house.
The result is a calm, practical courtyard that feels sheltered, social, and closely connected to the sea.
The Brief
The clients wanted a Whitstable garden design that would function as an extension of their living space while addressing the challenges of a highly visible coastal location.
Key requirements included:
Light screening for privacy from passers-by on the coastal path
Direct steps providing access to the beach over the sea wall
Comfortable seating areas for lounging and dining
Soft, wind-tolerant planting suited to a coastal environment
A design that looks attractive from first-floor living spaces and balcony
The garden needed to feel relaxed and refined without obstructing views or light.
The Solution
Every square inch of the courtyard was carefully planned to create two distinct outdoor zones.
Closest to the house, a decked lounge area provides space to relax, read, and enjoy the coastal atmosphere. This area is lightly screened using airy, transparent perennials that move with the wind, offering privacy without enclosure. The planting is housed in galvanised planters, reinforcing a subtle seaside aesthetic.
The second zone centres around a dining table, framed by timber raised beds filled with seasonal coastal planting. This arrangement creates a sociable heart to the garden while maintaining clear circulation and views.
Features
A bespoke set of steps over the sea wall provides direct access to the beach, strengthening the connection between garden and shoreline. To reduce the sense of exposure, tensioned wire fencing was installed at eye level, helping to screen pedestrians without interrupting sightlines or light.
The combination of restrained materials, coastal planting, and thoughtful screening ensures the garden feels calm, private, and welcoming.
The Result
The completed Whitstable coastal garden design is a refined outdoor retreat that maximises a compact seafront space. Through careful zoning, light-touch privacy solutions, and wind-resilient planting, the garden supports everyday relaxation, entertaining, and a seamless connection to the Kent coastline.
