We were asked to design a garden for visitors to the Prison Advice Care Trust Centre at HMP Bullingdon, Bicester. Families often arrive after long journeys to a crowded space and our garden is designed to give them respite and calm to help mitigate this stressful time. Our focus was to create a welcoming space for all visitors including the many young children for whom it can be overwhelming. The aim is to also provide an environment to keep them active. The garden is centred around the symbol of a tree to show the support that is being provided. The left hand branch of the garden has a sandpit at its centre and colourful planting wraps around it. A snaking sweet chestnut log path takes children on a journey through immersive planting to the willow dome.  A central mound with oak log steps leads up to a platform and slide. This is the heart of this family friendly garden.  A soundscape with bamboo chimes and a music garden wall are another play element. The rear branch of the garden has a seating area with benches and soft planting colours and shapes to create a more reflective space. A native meadow with three fruit trees and some fruit bushes will develop into a mini orchard.  Log walls provide additional nature habitats and zone the different areas. A mown lawn borders two vegetable growing beds where we run family workshops. Native hedging is planted on the boundaries with two dead hedges to ensure there are homes and safe places for birds and mammals.

Our next and even more challenging project is to build a garden within the prison itself.