A very steep bank in close proximity to the house made it necessary to create an area on two different levels; these were decked to give a dining terrace and sunbathing area. A pergola with retractable blinds gives control over the amount of sunlight; a raised pond with water chutes was integrated into the design to be viewed from inside the garden room. A wide gravel pathway then leads through to the sunken garden with a collection of the owner's pots and some new cottage planting.