Health and Wellbeing

Health & Wellbeing are two important factors that have a major influence on our landscape design work.

We are passionate about promoting the psychological and physical benefits that quality landscape design can bring to people’s everyday lives. 

So, we thought it would be fun to share with you some of the fun things our team love doing to relax away from the office.

Kayaking in ancient Welsh landscape

In my spare time I love to spend time with my family. Undertaking activities outside and away from computer screens is really important for our mental wellbeing and our relationships with each other.

I enjoy spending time in my garden or attending to my vegetable patch which I started during lockdown. Most weekends we love to go on family bike rides or days out to learn about ourselves and our surroundings.

Some fun recent activities have included a visit to Quarry Bank Mill, run by the National Trust in Styal, Cheshire, kayaking at the 35-acre lake in Park in the Past near Wrexham, set in 120 acres of an ancient Welsh landscape, and bike riding parts of the River Dee Round which is a safe, completely traffic-free 15-mile loop close to Chester.

Lisa Sawyer, Director & Civil Engineer

Wild swimming with friends

It’s easy to forget to take time out for yourself and to spend time doing the simple things you enjoy.

I’ve found that throughout the year I enjoy different things. During the summer months I really enjoy getting out and doing a bit of wild swimming in my local area.

Last year I completed my first Dee Mile swim in Chester with my colleague Kate and since then I’ve looked forward to getting out into the open water more often. Being in the cold, fresh water helps me to reset my mind and enjoy some quiet time.

This year a friend is competing in her first Triathlon in Bala in the Snowdonia National Park and I’m helping her with her training which is a great source of motivation.

Rachael Fenton, Associate Landscape Architect

Exploring with my greyhound

I recently adopted a retired greyhound, called Suzi, to improve my mental wellbeing! I’ve had her for six months now and we went on our first little holiday together to the Lake District recently.

Being out in nature with Suzi always lifts my spirits and makes me feel great.

We have just visited Fell Foot Park, a country park beside Lake Windermere and run by the National Trust. I’m part of the Land Studio team who are currently working on an exciting project for Fell Foot so it was great to visit it. Suzi and I loved it as we got to paddle in the lake and have a nice long walk around the beautiful meadows.

We also popped into Holker Hall and Gardens near Grange-over-Sands. Whenever I go away I try and fit in a visit to a designed landscape to get inspiration and remind myself of the possibilities available to us as landscape architects.

This particular garden was a fantastic mix of meandering mown paths through meadows and ancient woodland including the famous ‘Holker Great Lime’ with its wonderfully wide fluted 25ft trunk. Planted early in the 17th century, the tree has been carefully tended by generations of gardeners and is one of The Tree Council’s 50 Great British Trees.

We finished the holiday with a trip on a Steam Yacht Gondola on Coniston Water. I doubt Suzi has ever been on a boat before, never mind a restored Victorian steam-powered yacht, but she took to it like a pro.

Sian Rossiter, Assistant Landscape Architect

Stopping to listen to nature

When it comes to focusing on my mental wellbeing, Erddig, a National Trust Landscape, is where you will find me.

With 1,200 acres of parkland spanning two miles, the grounds of Grade-I listed 17th century Erddig Hall near Wrexham have an array of native trees, flora and fauna and I never tire of exploring them.

I love the vastness of the space and the way it provides a continuous peaceful habitat for its wildlife. Take a moment to stand still, stop and relax and you can listen to the birds and watch little animals busying about. I love it there.

Elishia Squire, Digital Marketing Assistant

Walking in inspiring landscapes

I don’t have a standard routine as I always try and mix things up and visit somewhere new each weekend.

Last weekend I walked up Moel Famau, the highest hill in the Clwydian Range and the highest point of the county of Flintshire in Wales. It’s also in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

I seem to use it a reference point in the surrounding areas but I’d never been up before so it was nice to see it from the other perspective, and to get a rewarding view from the ruins at the top.

Matthew Reece, Landscape Architect Assistant

Using pedal power

I love cycling because you see life at a different pace on a bike and really appreciate your surroundings. I try and get out as much as I can, no matter what the weather is like. It’s great exercise, boosts your endorphins and is good for the environment.

I once cycled the epic 735km Raid Pyreneen route across the Pyrenees from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea in under 100 hours.

A number of the Land Studio team will be taking part in this year’s Cycle to Work Day taking place on August 4th. Now in its 10th year, it’s the UK’s biggest cycling commuting event.

Simon Richards, Founder & Director

Making jewellery and weight training like an Olympian

I lift weights four times a week which involves Olympic style training. Recently I lifted three times my bodyweight which was a huge achievement. Exercise keeps my mind and body feeling rejuvenated. 

Having lived in Bournemouth for a few years I found a love for the Great British coasts, from the Jurassic Coast to the cliffs of Anglesey. I usually take my paddleboard when I can to truly experience the calming seas and to get a bit of exercise in too.

I also enjoy silversmithing and have made a number of rings set with precious stones. Silversmithing requires some focus and a lot of problem solving as I am self-learning different techniques, which keeps the cogs in my mind turning and helps me to relax. 

Hamzah Akhoon, Assistant Landscape Architect

Long-distance swimming

For me, wild swimming is an escape, where I can just focus on the water and enjoy the scenic surroundings, as well as the sense of achievement when I complete a long-distance challenge. I’ve swum in a variety of locations over the years, including the River Dee, several Liverpool docks, the River Thames and Lake Windermere.

I prefer to be warm and tend to swim in a wetsuit, but I have braved the cold waters of lochs and seas in Scotland and Wales, including a very bracing 7 degrees in Llyn Tegid in Bala! I hope to continue swimming, and maybe even look to take on another long-distance event next year.

Kate Richards, Associate Landscape Architect