About me

I am Rachael Austin, my approach to garden design is site sensitive, ecologically conscious and relevant to my clients, telling a story that relates to them, creating beautiful spaces that lift the spirits, are practical and stylish. I am have experience designing private gardens in every style, outdoor kitchens and garden rooms, swimming pools, roof terraces, as well as natural play and community spaces. garden designer, landscape architect and arborist. I run Austin Design Works with my brother Matthew Austin and architect, based in the heart of the Cotswolds. I am a horticulturalist trained with John Hill at Sherborne gardens and I specialize in planting design and plant sourcing through the wholesale nursery trade and I have a background in historic garden restoration working on large country estates whilst at Colvin & Moggride.

Gardening expertise

Professional

Gardening interests

Biggest gardening accomplishments

I feel very proud to have designed a public walled garden attached to Stroud Museum in the Park, which makes people happy. It has also been a privilage to have designed a community play space and garden in the heart of my village of Horsley, Gloucestershire which has brought the heart back in to the community and is enjoyed by young and old alike.

Biggest gardening frustrations

Poor maintenance.

The gardening project I am currently working on

I am currently working on the garden of a grade 2 listed rectory in Wiltshire, creating a contemporary terrace with cast concrete water troughs, limestone paths and slate paving, surrounded by lush planting and specimen trees. Away from the house in the sunniest part of the garden is a new garden room with outdoor kitchen, clad in cedar shingle. A red brick limestone edged terrace and corten water trough, a petanque pitch and Mediterranean style planting beds, the ultimate entertaining area.