Tucked into the historic setting of Ely Cathedral, A Woven River is a garden that celebrates nature at its most generous.
Designed by Tim Jennings for the Ely Cathedral Home & Garden Show, it’s a small but inspiring space where soft planting, wildlife-friendly habitats, and sustainable materials come together in harmony.
Proof that even a compact plot can brim with life, colour, and seasonal interest.
Created especially for the Ely Cathedral Home & Garden Show, this design found its home within the Bishop’s Garden, a part of the cathedral grounds rarely open to visitors.
Among a collection of small show gardens, A Woven River offered fresh ideas on how to work with nature, rather than against it, when shaping a beautiful outdoor space.
A Garden Inspired by Nature
The name comes from the sculptural willow and hazel form that winds its way through the garden like a meandering river. This woven feature doesn’t just catch the eye, it helps guide the flow of planting, gently dividing drifts of flowers and grasses into layers that feel effortless and natural.
Around it, drought-tolerant perennials and ornamental grasses mingle freely. Plants are left to self-seed and settle, echoing the resilience and spontaneity of nature itself.
The effect is soft, relaxed, and full of movemen, a space that feels alive.
Designed for Wildlife
At its heart, this garden is a haven for pollinators. Butterflies, bees, and hoverflies are drawn to blooms such as Verbena bonariensis, Echinops, Knautia, and Achillea, chosen for their long seasons of colour and nectar.
Wildlife has been thought of at every level. Insect hotels built from stacked logs and drilled timber offer a safe home for solitary bees and beetles.
A shallow water bowl, edged with smooth pebbles, provides a gentle landing spot for birds, insects, and even the occasional frog. It’s a reminder that when gardens make space for wildlife, they hum with energy.
Sustainable Materials, Strong Structure
Every element of A Woven River has been shaped with sustainability in mind. The woven form itself is made from coppiced hazel and willow, while reclaimed steel edges and a simple water bowl bring a contemporary contrast to the planting.
This balance between natural softness and quiet structure is a hallmark of Tim Jennings’ design approach. Beneath the beauty, there is a strong backbone, a garden that will last, evolve, and continue to provide both pleasure and habitat over time
Thinking about transforming your garden space?
If you’re in or nearby Hertfordshire and would like a garden with strong architecture and naturalistic planting, I’d be glad to help.
Whether you’re working with a paved courtyard, a city balcony, or a modest back garden, there’s always potential to create a space that supports wildlife and brings daily joy.
Calm spaces with strong structure and naturalistic planting.
For more information please contact Tim on 07843 487 394
or email: tim@everchangingdesign.co.uk
