A LANDSCAPE company from Nailsworth has won a national award for their ‘outstanding work’ creating the walled garden at Stroud’s Museum in the Park. 

Austin Design Works, a family-run landscape and architecture business led by siblings Rachael and Matthew Austin, received the impressive accolade during the Landscape Institute Awards ceremony held in London on November 23.

The Landscape Institute Awards celebrate the most creative and innovative landscape professionals in the industry with a focus on projects which have many public benefits.

Rachael and Matthew’s project was singled out for the engagement of the community volunteers during the design and build process, and its sensitive, yet contemporary design in the setting of a listed building. 

“Significantly, the volunteers worked alongside the main contractor to create the community space and orchard area,” said Rachael Emous-Austin.

“The Museum now has a living experience for their visitors and a space in which to educate and entertain throughout the seasons.

“Stroud has its very own secret garden, crammed full of beautiful, colourful plants, fully accessible and free to visit throughout the year; something quite unique to the area.”

For decades the Walled Garden behind the Museum at the heart of Stratford Park, Stroud, had been an abandoned and overgrown, a lost and forgotten space.

"The Walled Garden project was a result of great teamwork and Stroud can rightly be proud of those involved - the professionals, volunteers and supporters - who made it happen," said

Fred Ward, Chair of The Friends of the Museum.

"The Garden, with its excellent new learning pavilion, enhances all aspects of the Museum which already plays a vital part in the life of the local community and wider district,” he explained.

Readers can learn more about the walled garden project on the Austin Design Works website austindw.co.uk/our-projects/museum-park/

Or by visiting the Museum in the Park website http://www.museuminthepark.org.uk/walled-garden-project/