Liz Lake Associates designed the ground surfaces to run level and in similar materials as the indoor floor so that when the glass doors are open, the indoor space connects to the outdoors. We added wide decorative steps out into the adjacent green space and connected the two spaces together with three tiers of planting. The lower tier within the terrace is low decorative planting, the middle tier is a wavy clipped hedge and the top (outer) tier is made up of prairie planting (soft grasses and tall herbaceous) on a scale to connect with the larger spaces outside. The central feature is a formal pond with a raised edge suitable for sitting on. We proposed porcelain pots with internal lights to create the gentle glow similar to candlelight, inspired by the individual terraces.

ITV reporter Kate Prout surprised staff, patients and volunteers to announce that the hospice had won a £50K grant from the People’s Millions after a public vote in late November 2013. The garden has now been implemented and was ‘officially’ opened by patron and TV horticulturist Christine Walkden.