The five-acre burial ground is owned by the Barnston Estate, an historic family-owned Cheshire estate.
Estate owner and manager Ed Barnston came to Land Studio for advice on how to transform a field into a beautiful natural burial ground to replace the full burial ground at St Chad’s Church in the village.
We designed layouts to support a detailed planning application for the site.
The Land Studio design ethos is to connect people with nature, and natural burial enables people to choose a funeral in tune with nature and gentle on the environment.
At a glance
- Client
- Barnston Estate
- Location
- Cheshire
The site has views across rolling countryside and across to the majestic Clywdian Range. It was important to sensitively integrate the burial site into the landscape, to enhance the views and to create a space that will mature with time.
A meadow setting for natural burial grounds makes them intrinsically peaceful and beautiful places to visit. They change with the seasons and over time and support a variety of flora.
We specified formal and ornamental native trees, native hedging (such as hawthorn, blackthorn and dog rose) and a wildflower meadow with flowers including red poppies, marigolds, cornflowers and camomile.
The hedging also serves to screen the parking area and vehicular route, the main road and the neighbouring properties to provide seclusion and privacy.
The use of native species across all of the planting types will increase biodiversity by providing habitats for a wide range of wildlife.
A timber framed pavilion provides a focal point and shelter for burial ceremonies to take place under, while allowing views out across the site and beyond.
The four majestic sleeping stone lions and Grade II* listed monument at the entrance to the burial ground further enhance the site.
The Timber frame pavillion along with the Barnston monument
We were really impressed with Land Studio. They are creative, a delight to work with and captured our vision and their own vision perfectly.
Shahina Ahmad, Principal of Eden Girls’ School, Waltham Forest.