Set on low lying land at the foot of the Cotswolds this barn conversion had few far-reaching views, so the challenge was to create a beautiful courtyard accessed from three sides with year-round structure, colour and space to entertain. The courtyard has an informal feel, with multi-stemmed trees underplanted with Stipa tenuissima, Rosemary and Pinus mugo ‘Mops’. A fire-pit is surrounded by boulders from the Forest of Dean which give structural year-round beauty and provide a relaxed spot to ‘perch’.  A chunky oak pergola designed with clean simple lines is covered in Wisteria and provides a more formal dining spot for a table for ten.