I attended my first BALI National Landscape Awards ceremony on Friday 5 December 2025 and this lavish, spectacular event did not disappoint, writes Gillian Taylor.
Landscapers, designers, contractors and suppliers came together to congratulate those who achieved recognition for the excellence of their work.
Grand Award
This year’s top prize went to The Outdoor Room for their standout Hawthorn House project.
Set on a private estate in East Sussex, the house’s surrounds have all been redeveloped. It was a complex and challenging site which required excellent collaboration between the multiple trades involved. The judges were impressed with the final elegant and expansive design which was delivered despite access restrictions, major drainage issues and regular changes to its scope.
Work included provision of rainwater harvesting and irrigation, renovation of a swimming pool, extensive and detailed hard landscaping, planting of mature trees, hedging and wildflower areas.
Judges’ comments:
“An exemplary scheme, where attention to detail, terrific craftsmanship and a can-do attitude with a desire to work collaboratively, has produced a worthy winner. “
“A landscape full of visual beauty that belies the complex nature of the work that went into it.”
Designer Butter Wakefield Garden Design Ltd
Suppliers Johnsons Wellfield Paving, Artorius Faber Paving, Truegrip Ltd
Deepdale Trees, Creepers Nursery
Domestic Garden Construction between 50k and 100k
A front garden transformation by Langlea Garden Design took the honours here.
Intersecting Welcome was applauded by the judges for the well-executed hard landscaping, complemented by attractive planting well suited to the coastal location. The previously disjointed and poorly considered layout is now a cohesive, high functioning and visually striking space.
Main features include a unified porcelain paved surface intersected with stainless steel, tiered planting for visual layering and a contemporary sliding gate. Bespoke planters and a sculptural water feature add texture and contrast. The result is an immersive garden , rich in detail and connected to the landscape.
Judges’ comments:
“This contractor is to be applauded for successfully overcoming existing design and construction challenges to create a functional and visually impressive frontage to this contemporary house.”
Designer Langlea Garden Design
Main Contractor Langlea Garden Design and Construction
Suppliers Mastertiles, Parker Building Supplies, Urbis Design
Evergreen Exterior Services, Provender Nurseries
Overall Design Excellence
Rosemary Coldstream’s London Courtyard Garden won two awards, Overall Design Excellence and the Accredited Contractor and Accredited Designer Joint Submission.
This split level garden combines a sunny Mediterranean terrace with a shady tropical courtyard – two connected spaces that flow into one another. Contemporary floating steps lead from the basement kitchen to the outside space, though exotic panting of bamboo, tree ferns and ginger lilies.
En route, a landing has an impressive light sculpture that comes into its own after dark. The terrace is a podium garden enhanced with generous pots filled with evergreen shrubs, small trees and colourful underplanting to create a lush roof garden. Attention to detail and excellent craftsmanship make this garden exceptional.
Judges’ comments:
“The beauty and success of this courtyard space is in the design and the stunning planting palette, the contractors exquisite attention to detail …and excellent communication between the two BALI members.”
“Despite complicated levels and logistical and technical challenges, they have, together, delivered a faultless scheme.”
Designer Rosemary Coldstream Garden Design
Main Contractor Landform Consultants
Suppliers London Stone, Europlanters, Capital Garden Products
Desert to Jungle, Europlants Ltd
Photo credits Richard Bloom
For further details on all the winners and their amazing projects go to www.bali.org.uk