We love compliments like these!

We received an email on the 11th February from our clients whose landscaping project in Old Wives Lees we are currently working on. We thought we would share it:

Dear Ross,

We just had to email you to say how delighted and impressed we are with your crew.

We drew the curtains this morning, saw plenty of snow, and thought "oh well, no works today" at which point Mark drew up in his van!

The conditions under foot were really horrible, deep wet clay and freezing cold, and yet such progress in spite of it all.

Please pass on our admiration and thanks. What a great team!

We very much appreciate receiving comments such as this. We take great pride in the work that we carry out and the service we provide to our clients so it is always nice to hear that we are performing in line with the values we believe in.

Ross would like to pass on his own thanks and appreciation to the team on site for all of their hard work and commitment.

Old Wives Lees - Tiling the Roof

As we enter the final day of February, our team are to be found at the project in Old Wives Lees putting the tile roof onto the new 2-Bay Oak Car Barn. This particular job, whilst time consuming, will set the look and feel of the Car Barn.

We are installing reclaimed Kentish Nib Tiles for an authentic and traditional appearance.

Old Wives Lees - Creating an Amphitheatre

Work continues on the side garden area of the Old Wives Lees project. This was not a part of the original booked works but is now going to become an integral feature of this garden with the creation of a tiered amphitheatre garden. 

The amphitheatre formed a part of our original design and we are delighted that we now have the chance to implement this feature.

Old Wives Lees - Side Garden Steps

The Old Wives Lees project has seen a number of additional items and area's added to the specification. The side garden was a part of the original Orchard Priory design but was not included in the main contract.

The remit for the side garden is to create a much improved vista from the east side of the house while including steps to provide access to the top level of the side garden (where currently there is none).

The grounds in this area of the garden are very steep so will need to be re-graded prior to being seeded.

Old Wives Lees - Time for a Roof?

The 2-Bay Oak Car Barn is progressing steadily. The top photo above shows the roof batten installed and tiles laid out ready to be fitted. You may also notice the rather large black water tank in this photo. This tank is to be installed at the rear of the property for rain water collection.

The lower image shows the rear catslide roof which has also been felt and battened and now awaits tiling.

Old Wives Lees - The Driveway Bell-mouth

The Orchard Priory team continue to work on our project in Old Wives Lees, near Chilham. Today has seen  Site Manager, Mark Prentice, laying the bell-mouth for the new driveway.

We are installing Yorkstone setts (cobbles) to match those forming the driveway edging. Yorkstone is a traditional English stone quarried in Yorkshire which is hard wearing and durable. It has been a popular building material since medieval times and remains in demand for new builds and restoration projects today.

Old Wives Lees - The Oak Car Barn Grows!

Work on the 2-Bay Oak Car Barn continues and the roofing timbers are now in place as you can see in the photo above.

The roof includes a traditional Kent Half Hip (also known as a  Barn Hip) and has been constructed using tannelised (pressure treated) softwood.

The roof will now be felt and battened before being tiled.

Old Wives Lees - Building the perfect 2-Bay Oak Car Barn

Despite there still being snow on the ground we have now managed to install the Green Oak frame for the 2-Bay Oak Car Barn. A three course brick plinth supports the sides and rear of the structure.

Old Wives Lees - Ch, Ch, Changes

The above image shows the pre-existing garage at our Old Wives Lees project. We were charged with blocking up the existing garage door (on the left had side in the image) and creating the new access you can see above.

We have concluded this job by installing a pair of handmade, completely bespoke, kiln-dried Oak doors. The furniture for the doors is hand-forged ironmongery, primed and coated for a high quality finish.

Old Wives Lees - The Car Barn Base

We have now prepared the trenches for the Oak Car Barn footings (albeit they are somewhat flooded currently thanks to the rain). The area will be shuttered, to allow concrete to be poured to form the footings and the concrete base.

Early days at our new project

2013 has seen us start our latest project, a complete re-design of the front grounds of this premises in Old Wives Lees, Chilham, Kent.

This is a large project which we expect to take us through January and February. Included in the specification is a new driveway, a new Oak Car Barn for two cars and a complete overhaul of the garden.

We are very excited about this particular job and will keep this blog updated with our progress.

Graham Epps

On Friday 3rd August 2012, Graham Epps was killed in a traffic accident.

Graham (28) was a former employee of Orchard Priory and one of Managing Director, Ross Gandon's closest and most trusted friends.

Ross paid tribute to his friend saying "Graham was an integral part of the set up of Orchard Priory and a great person to have along side me in the early days of the business. His personality, particularly his sense of humour, and his diligence in his work were of enormous value to Orchard Priory and to me personally".

"That Graham should be taken from us while still so young is tragic, I know that I am not the only one who will share this sentiment. While words are simply not enough to express the loss we feel, it is the simple truth when I say; Graham, you will be sorely missed".

The Headcorn Project Stable Block

One of the elements of our Headcorn project is the renovation of the stable block.

As you can see from the pictures above a new roof is required along with a definite improvement in general appearance.

We will be re-pitching the roof to an 'up and over style' with two Kent hips. This has required us to add two additional block levels to the height of the building.

The roof structure will be made from a tannelised softwood while the roof itself will be given an authentic appearance with the use of cedar shingles.

We plan to address the 'look' of the building by re-cladding it in a softwood weatherboard and will be installing new Iroco hardwood doors and frames. A bespoke cedar greenhouse will also be built and attached to one side of the stables.

Garden re-design in Headcorn

We have now started a new project, redeveloping a large garden in Headcorn.

The works include the laying of new pathways, creation of new vistas from the rear of the house, repair of an existing stable block including the building of a new roof, installation of fencing and lighting as well as the more soft landscaping matters such as putting in place a number of new planting beds and shrub and hedge planting.

This job will also include the creation of a new driveway access to the property to improve safety and the approach to the front of the house.
Planning permission has been saught for the new access and driveway from the local council.


The first two pictures here show some of the early works that have been carried out. The first image shows where an existing hedge has had a section removed to allow views from the house into the large garden beyond (which was previously hidden from view).

The second shows two of the Orchard priory team, Matthew Hopkins and Matthew Stevens creating a sizeable new planting bed.

The third picture shows the stable block in its current condition. Work has started on repairing this building and the new roof is due to be started tomorrow.

Check back soon for further updates on this project.

Gardens in a Box UK - Oriental Garden

The final concept design currently offered by Gardens in a Box UK is The Oriental Garden.

This garden utilises the natural forms of rock, planting and water to create a peaceful, low maintenance, atmospheric space.

The main garden is dominated by a large pond which is crossed by a stepping stone path providing a meandering route to a smaller, hidden area of the garden. This top area would be perfect for a traditional Japanese pagoda and a stone feature enclosed by rustling bamboos.

This garden is the perfect, quiet, location for contemplation.

The Oriental Garden includes natural sandstone paving, large pond with filtration system, gravel walkways, large stone feature boulders, trees and border shrubs and perennials.

For full details of this and all the other Gardens in a Box UK concept designs please visit www.gardensinaboxuk.com

Gardens in a Box UK - Terraced Garden

The Terraced Garden from Gardens in a Box UK is designed to create feature or to provide an option for gardens which are not level.

Curving brick retaining walls, steps and generous planting are combined to create an interesting, usable outdoor space.

The terracotta tiled top terrace, sweeps of lavender and hot coloured borders give this garden a mediterranean atmosphere which could be enhanced with Olive or Bay trees.

A central focal point provides interest from all areas of this garden.

The Terraced garden includes curving brick retaining walls, matching steps, sandstone paving, rope and post feature barrier, trees and border planting. For full detail of this and all the other Gardens in a Box concept designs please visit www.gardensinaboxuk.com

Gardens in a Box UK - Natural garden

The Natural Garden is the fourth of the six design concepts offered by Gardens in a Box UK.

This garden employs native planting and sweeping borders to create a wildlife friendly space with plenty of places to sit and enjoy.

The rustic gazebo and arch will be complimented by the colourful varieties of mature trees, shrubs and wildlife in the meadow areas.

Rambling roses will also wind their way through the hedgerow and over the structures.

This can all be enjoyed from the natural stone patio, positioned by the house, which blends into the adjacent lawn and borders.

The Natural Garden includes natural sandstone paving and stepping stones, hedging, trees and border planting. Further detail of this garden can be found at www.gardensinaboxuk.com

Gardens in a Box UK - Formal Garden

The third garden concept from gardens in a Box UK is The Formal Garden,

This garden uses strong symmetry and straight lines to create an ordered, beautiful space.

The evergreen hedges and the view to the arbour will visually increase the length of the garden while the formal objects such as the obelisks and knott garden will be tempered by the colourful, rambling herbaceous planting.

The pergola becomes an extension of the house itself by providing an outdoor room with dappled shade

The Formal Garden includes hedging, buxus (box planting) to the lawn edge and the knott garden, the softwood pergola and natural sandstone paving.



For full details of the Formal Garden and more about Gardens in a Box UK, why not visit www.gardensinaboxuk.com ?

Gardens in a Box UK - Modern Garden

The second of the six Gardens in a Box UK concept designs is The Modern Garden.

The Modern Garden uses crisp lines and striking features to create an area of beautiful planting an an area for entertainment.

The rendered wall with its archway and windows allows for tantalising views of the water feature from the house and provides shelter for the seating area and firepit.

Modern materials such as polished concrete along with the bold planting scheme set this garden apart from its neighbours.

As indicated, this design includes a smooth rendered, 2 metre high, wall, a stainless steel water feature, smooth rendered bench, resin bound paving to the entertaining area, natural sandstone stepping stones and a brick and sandstone firepit.

To find out more about Gardens in a Box UK and The Modern Garden, why not visit www.gardensinaboxuk.com ?

Gardens in a Box UK - Family Garden

As introduced in yesterday's blog, Gardens ina Box UK is the new subsidiary of Orchard Priory Limited which looks to provide a simplified, out of the box, landscaping product.

We are going to look at each of the six concept garden design available through Gardens in a Box UK on this blog, over the course of this week. The first is The Family Garden.

This garden utilises the space available to create a robust, useful garden which includes elements for all ages as well as outdoor storage.

The materials are cost effective but arranged in such a way as to provide an attractive space with items such as bins, shed and vegetable beds screened behind planting.



There are plenty of opportunities for play with a large lawn and seperate play equipment.

This design includes items such as a concrete base for a shed, a brick built barbeque with cooking grill and briquette tray, two raised vegetable beds and a childrens play area finished with play-safe hardwood chippings.

For more information on Gardens in a Box UK and the Family Garden, why not visit www.gardensinaboxuk.com ?