Business Details
Award-Winning Garden & Landscape Design Services in Reigate
Matthew Childs Design is a multi-award-winning garden and landscape design practice with studios in Surrey and Devon, serving clients across the UK and internationally. Our philosophy centres on creating deeply personal spaces that reflect both the individuals who use them and the unique character of their surroundings. We prioritise understanding the essence of a place and its future inhabitants, ensuring every garden is beautiful, sustainable, and a true extension of the home. Recognised as a top 50 UK garden designer by House & Garden, we bring expertise and creative vision to residential, commercial, and public projects. Our comprehensive service spans concept design, masterplanning, planting schemes, and project monitoring, delivering gardens to the highest quality standards.With multiple RHS Gold Medals and Society of Garden Designers awards, we combine technical excellence with emotional storytelling in every design. Our team includes specialists with formal training from institutions like KLC School of Design and RHS-accredited horticultural qualifications. We believe creating a garden should be an enjoyable journey, ensuring a positive experience for clients from initial consultation to final implementation. Our portfolio includes intimate city courtyards, expansive rural estates, and innovative show gardens for charities and private members' clubs. Sustainability, biodiversity, and a deep connection to local landscapes underpin all our work.
Services
Garden Design
Landscaping
Irrigation
Maintenance
Show Gardens
Concept Design
Masterplanning
Planting Design
Contract Administration
Project Monitoring
Highlights and features
- We are multi-award-winning designers with RHS Gold Medals and Society of Garden Designers recognition.
- Our designs are tailored to reflect both the client's personality and the site's unique character.
- We combine formal horticultural training with creative storytelling to create emotionally resonant gardens.
- Our comprehensive service covers every stage from concept to project completion.
- We have expertise in both residential and commercial projects, including public gardens for charities.
Services
Garden Design
We create bespoke garden designs tailored to clients' lifestyles and the natural character of their surroundings. Our approach combines creative storytelling with technical expertise to produce sustainable, functional gardens. Each project reflects the unique personality of its users and the history of the site.
Landscaping
Our landscaping service transforms designs into reality through detailed planning and expert implementation. We manage every aspect from earthworks to planting, ensuring high-quality results that align with the original vision. Sustainability and longevity guide all material and plant selections.
Show Gardens
We design award-winning show gardens for events like RHS Chelsea Flower Show, combining artistic expression with practical horticulture. These gardens often incorporate resilient planting and natural materials to convey meaningful narratives. Recent projects have supported charitable causes through public commissions.
Planting Design
Our planting schemes focus on biodiversity, seasonal interest, and ecological balance. We select plants that thrive in their environment while creating visually striking compositions. The designs evolve through seasons, offering year-round beauty and habitat value for wildlife.
Project Monitoring
We oversee garden construction to ensure adherence to design specifications and quality standards. This includes site visits, contract administration, and collaboration with specialist contractors. Our monitoring ensures the final result matches the approved plans and client expectations.
People
Matthew Childs
Founder & Lead Designer
Matthew Childs is a Member of The Society of Garden Designers with RHS-accredited horticultural qualifications. He transitioned to garden design in 2007 after a career in tailoring, bringing precision and creativity to his work. His award-winning show gardens include multiple RHS Gold Medals.
Clare Shaw
Garden Designer
Clare Shaw retrained as a garden designer after a legal career, combining attention to detail with a passion for plants. She graduated with Distinction from KLC School of Design and focuses on creating spaces that respond to site history and landscape context.
Joshua Millard
Garden Designer
Joshua Millard graduated from KLC School of Design with Distinction, bringing a background in bespoke tailoring and a farming childhood to his designs. His work combines naturalism with refined form, creating biodiverse gardens that reflect seasonal changes and local ecology.
Laura Bushnell
Garden Designer
Laura Bushnell transitioned from chartered accountancy to garden design, applying meticulous attention to detail. She graduated with Distinction from London College of Garden Design, specialising in historically informed designs that create deeply personal spaces with a strong sense of place.
Questions
What areas do you cover for garden design projects?
We work across the UK and internationally, with studios based in Surrey and Devon.
What types of garden projects do you undertake?
We handle residential projects from small courtyards to large estates, plus commercial and public commissions including charity gardens.
How does your garden design process work?
Our process includes site analysis, concept design, detailed planning, and implementation monitoring, tailored to each project's specific needs.
Do you offer maintenance services for completed gardens?
Yes, we provide maintenance plans to ensure your garden remains beautiful and sustainable long after installation.
Are your designs environmentally sustainable?
Sustainability is central to our approach, with planting schemes and materials selected for ecological benefit and longevity.
Can you help with irrigation system installation?
Yes, we design and specify irrigation systems tailored to each garden's specific water needs and plant requirements.
