The Garden Design Collective Mission

Embrace nature, Enhance well-being & Elevate your surroundings

The Garden Design Collective is a premier garden design studio and curated store dedicated to connecting people with nature through expertly crafted gardens, handpicked products, and inspiring community activities. Guided by the ethos of landscape architect Thomas Church that "Gardens are for people," our philosophy is rooted in the belief that outdoor spaces should enhance well-being, foster human connection, and promote sustainability. Each of our designs is tailored to reflect the unique needs and aspirations of the people who use them, creating beautiful, functional landscapes and a deep bond between individuals and their environment.

Through immersive workshops, guided nature walks, and engaging community events, we encourage people to rediscover their connection to nature. Our projects incorporate design theory focusing on ecological balance, ensuring that every garden not only nurtures mental and physical health but also enhances biodiversity and creates habitats for wildlife. By fostering a deeper appreciation for nature, we inspire a collective responsibility to protect and preserve it for future generations.

At the core of our mission is the belief that when people are connected to nature, they care for it, resulting in thriving gardens that are as beneficial to the planet as they are to the people who enjoy them.

  • A study by Public Health England (PHE) highlighted that outdoor exercise can result in **20% higher energy expenditure

  • Research shows that people who are more connected with nature are usually happier in life and more likely to report feeling their lives are worthwhile. Nature can generate many positive emotions, such as calmness, joy, and creativity and can facilitate concentration.

  • According to studies nature connectedness is also associated with lower levels of poor mental health, particularly lower depression and anxiety. 

  • It's been proved that you burn more calories because you have more energy and you tend to exercise for longer and harder outside as you are not 'clock watching'.
    You are not breathing in recycled air as you would in a gym but fresh air thanks to the trees.

  • Natural England found that 1 in 5 adults (20%) spent little to no time in nature 

  • The same survey found that 16% of children spent no leisure time outdoors during a typical month.

  • Research by Mind (2020) revealed that one in four UK adults felt their mental health worsened because they were spending too much time indoors and isolated from nature.

  • A 2021 survey by the Mental Health Foundation showed that 62% of adults felt time outdoors improved their mental health, yet many struggled to make time for it.