hello@downlandsgardendesign.com
https://downlandsgardendesign.com
Downlands Garden Design
07344718880
Jen Ferns
Jen works from her Surrey-based studio on projects for her own business, Downlands Garden Design, and also as a freelance designer. She designs gardens that are beautiful for us to enjoy while encouraging wildlife into the garden. Jen creates beautifully designed gardens with a sense of place because she believes the power of an outdoor space to transform our lives is boundless. She has brought her love of solving challenging problems from her previous career into innovative solutions in her designs. By truly listening, she knows how to unpack what a client wants from their space, understanding their requirements and then delivering a bespoke solution that delights for years to come. What’s in a name? Living beneath the North Downs, their familiar slopes and quiet woods are a daily inspiration; each season brings a new light to the hills, and the landscape is constantly changing. The South Downs, just across the Weald, have a similar pull – wide views, open skies, and a sense of calm that always draws you back. These places have become so meaningful and, hence, the name was chosen as a reminder to be grounded in this place.
Biography:
After completing a PhD and working as an engineer and Project Manager, Jen decided she wanted something different; a career that would enable her to join her passion for plants and the outdoors with her creativity, and her desire to make a difference. She studied for RHS Level 2 Principles of Horticulture, before embarking on the Garden Design Diploma at LCGD where she graduated with Distinction in 2025.
Instagram: @downlands_garden_design
The garden here was a blank canvas – a hedge and some grass were all that was present. With full sun in the summer, this garden was hot and uninviting. There was no wildlife present, and no interest in the space. However, it had the benefit of beautiful views out on to the Surrey Hills. The design used a mediterranean feel to provide an escape from every-day life. A dedicated seating area under an Olive tree provided shade and views of the stunning Surrey Hills; a small stream ending in a corten-steel tank provided the relaxing sound of running water, whilst encouraging wildlife into the space. Large planted beds add shape, colour, and scent to the space. A screen of tall grasses give a second seating area a sense of privacy and seclusion.
The garden here was an unloved space, with an expanse of lawn and a border full of various plants. There was no structure or clear direction in the space. The brief stated that accessibility key, that there needed to be a large space suitable to hold weddings, but also smaller intimate retreat areas for people to enjoy. The design here used circles and arcs to create clear direction through the space; tumbling planting through large beds gave a romantic feel, whilst tree-lined avenues provided structure and majesty. Accessibility was considered throughout, ensuring paths were wide and used suitable surfacing. The design was holistic such that accessibility was a natural part of the garden, rather than a focal point.
This 5 acre+ garden connected two previously separate spaces; a field that had been left undeveloped behind the main garden, and a field previously used as part of an equine facility. They needed to be incorporated to create one whole space; a key theme was to place the garden within the landscape, but allow for dye plants, or a dye garden, to be incorporated into the design. The solution was to create strong geometry, aligning to the house design but letting the landscape be the focus. The area around the house is more detailed; as you move into the wider garden, the spaces become larger, allowing views out over the neighbouring countryside.
