Blakedown Landscapes to deliver Canterbury public realm enhancements
Blakedown Landscapes has been named as the principal contractor for phase one of Canterbury’s story gardens project, as part of the city’s public realm enhancement plans.
Funded by the UK government’s Levelling Up Fund (LUF), the scheme will transform three key sites in Canterbury; Dane John Gardens, the historic City Wall and Castle Row car park.
Commissioned by Canterbury City Council, HTA Design LLP have designed a series of ‘story gardens’ to be landscaped spaces that combine physical improvements, wayfinding and Canterbury’s history.
There will be path widening, resurfacing paths and reinstating historical planting at Dane John Gardens, with wildflower meadows and new trees.
Blakedown has appointed HMS Decorative Surfacing to resurface 10,000m2 of paving for paths and walkways around the gardens.
Improvements to the City Wall will also include new planting and wildflower meadows, as well as new seating and signage.
Castle Row car park will feature new hedge planting and sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS); with a shared-use path and tree-lined views will lead to Castle Keep and Dane John Gardens.
Chris Wellbelove, managing director of Blakedown Landscapes comments:
“Blakedown’s expertise in heritage-led sensitive landscaping and complex public realm delivery makes us well placed to deliver this ambitious and meaningful project.”
The public realm project is part of a bigger investment to reimagine Canterbury’s heritage in an effort to reconnect communities with the city’s history.
Work has already started and is forecast to be completed by June 2026.
