Lockside

Lockside is inspired by Chester’s canal basin with its lock staircase, bridges, boatyard and moorings, and the host of wildlife that thrives there.

With an overarching planet-friendly theme, the intention is to attract birds, bees, butterflies and bugs through planting, a log pile and bug house, together with pond life via the soft-edged water feature, and small mammals with the wildlife passageways and hedgehog house.

The structures reflect features of the canal: a vertical planter of creeping thyme depicts a lock gate with its cascade of water; a deck and covered walkway represent the hull and cabin of a canal boat with its flat-roof pot plants; and a wellbeing bench made from reclaimed wood and ladders is a nod to the ducks that nested behind an old ladder in designer Chris Swift’s tiny garden during lockdown.

There’s a lock bar with a swing rope over a mud pit for children, worms and ducks, and a water butt. This tiny garden is a beautiful space where different generations can do their own thing in harmony with nature.