The Magic Garden at Hampton Court

Davies White Landscape Architects was selected by Historic Royal Palaces in 2011 from over 100 teams to co-design a £1.5 million children’s garden within the former tiltyard of Hampton Court Palace. Working alongside creative partners; including The House of Fairy Tales, Room60, Dan Lobb, and Josh Knowles we developed a rich narrative experience inspired by the Palace’s heraldic King’s Beasts. We collaboratively created this animated backstory film.

The Magic Garden opened in May 2016 and welcomed over 250,000 visitors in its first year, significantly boosting Hampton Court’s family appeal. Inspired by the palace’s heraldic beasts, the final garden was developed from a concept by Robert Myers Associates (RMA) and built by Frost Landscapes. HRH The Duchess of Cambridge officially opened the garden (credit to RMA and HRP for the final photos included below)

The Davies White proposals won a Landscape Institute Design Communication Award in 2016. 

Completed:  2015 Client: Historic Royal Palaces   Budget:  £1.5m

Working with The House of Fairy Tales we crafted the story to inform the design through Bess; a young character whose adventure guides visitors via mythical beasts that guard the palace. The concept featured immersive zones such as a beast’s lair, topiary garden, winding towers, spiral mount with moat, and grotto. Play elements include a giant steam-breathing dragon, woodland nook, water play, an amphitheater, performance stage and creative illusions reflecting Tudor history and courtly grandeur.