The Asthma and Lung UK Breathing Space Garden

The garden

This tranquil woodland-edge garden reflects the voices of people living with lung conditions, offering a calm, supportive ‘breathing space’ in which to recover and reconnect with nature.

Accessible paths, graded steps, and seated rest points lead to the heart of the garden, where two structural pine trees, known for their natural antioxidant and immune-boosting qualities, anchor a ‘floating’ platform. This sheltered space is designed for breath-supporting therapies such as yoga and tai chi. Running water and a still pond introduce soothing sound and reflective calm.

A restrained planting palette of green and white is lifted by highlights of purple and orange, with pockets of low-allergen plants chosen for their gentle impact.

Key plants

A base wash of calming greens and whites provide a backdrop for pops of colour in Asthma and Lung UK colours (pink, purple and orange). 

• Scleranthus uniflorus – a low-pollen plant creating micro landscapes in pots; tactile and inviting for visitors to touch as they pause or pass by
• Iris ensata – Japanese water iris used to frame the wildlife pool, adding elegance and seasonal interest
• Boehmeria platyphylla – a rare plant known for its striking, plate-sized leaves that add dramatic foliage texture
• Spiraea betulifolia – native to Japanese hillsides, paired naturally with Hakonechloa macra for a harmonious planting scheme
• Sorbaria aitchisonii – offers valuable foliage in May and flowers later in the season, extending the garden’s visual interest

Plants supplier: Kelways Plants, Solitair Tree Nursery and Deepdale Trees

Sustainability notes

The garden incorporates innovative sustainable materials and practices, including trials of Seratech cement blended with biochar and oyster shells to lock in carbon. Biochar is also used as a planting mulch and plants are grown in biodegradable pots. FSC-certified timber is used for fencing and the cantilevered canopy roof. Recycled aluminium oxygen cylinders have been repurposed as a water spout and channel drain. A symbolic touch comes from the inclusion of coal dust sourced from the UK’s last coal-fired power station, marking the country’s historic transition as the first in Europe to fully close down coal power.

The designer – Angus Thompson

“Designing for Chelsea for Asthma and Lung UK and with the Rotherham relocation and rebuild gave us the opportunity to step outside residential design constraints. This is a hugely personal project for myself and the design team and my wife Kate works in supportive and palliative care with people with lung conditions.” Angus Thompson

Angus grew up in rural East Yorkshire and graduated from the Inchbald School of Garden Design in 2004, winning the Principle’s Award. He has designed two previous gardens at RHS Chelsea; The Children’s Society “Lust for Life” (2007; Silver), and “Nature Ascending” (2009; Gold) built by Dan Flynn. Angus’ work has featured in numerous publications including Country Life, House & Garden and Gardens Illustrated.  

Hear from the charity – Asthma and Lung UK

“We’d like visitors to be inspired to think about their own breathing, and take a moment to exhale during their busy day and experience a moment of calm. We also want to highlight the invisible impact of breathlessness for the one in five people in the UK who will develop a lung condition in their lifetime, and for people to be more aware of Asthma and Lung UK’s vision of a world where everyone has healthy lungs.”

Garden legacy

The garden will be relocated to the Breathing Space lung rehabilitation centre in Rotherham, supported by Asthma and Lung UK. There, it will become a permanent therapeutic space offering holistic support for people living with lung conditions, maintained in partnership with the local community.