The Art of the Garden: Where Bespoke Egyptian Limestone Steals the Show
Some gardens are simply beautiful. Others are works of art that tell a story of collaboration, vision, and impeccable craftsmanship. The project we’re exploring today falls firmly into the latter category—a serene, water-side haven that proves even a narrow side passage can be transformed into a breathtaking centrepiece with the right design and materials.
In a recent site visit, Forest Stone’s Craig sat down with Paul Dobson of PD Groundscapes to revisit a project that has matured into something truly spectacular. The star of the show from our point of view? The warm, fossil-rich tones of Lymington Dune Egyptian limestone paving and bespoke copings, which form the very bones of this elegant outdoor living space.
A Symphony in Stone: Curves, Light, and Water
Designed by the talented Tom Hill, this garden is a masterclass in flow and texture. The journey begins with a sweeping limestone patio, its graceful curves guiding you towards a stunning water feature. This is where the versatility of Egyptian limestone paving truly shines.
When referring to the curved S shaped wall copings Craig exclaimed “We supplied just 900x600mm x 40mm slabs,”. But in the hands of a skilled craftsman like Paul and his team, those slabs were transformed into something extraordinary. The same stone used for the paving was meticulously crafted into curved limestone copings for a feature wall that echoes the patio’s elegant arc. And stands before a wonderful looking and unique Water Feature, designed by Tom Hill for this space.
The complexity of this garden design required ingenious on-site problem-solving—at one point, even a toilet plunger was used as a makeshift compass point to mark the curve. The result is a seamless, flowing layout that looks impeccable from every angle, especially when viewed from above.
The Devil in the Detail: Bespoke Craftsmanship
What elevates this project is not just the choice of material but the attention to detail. The 40mm thick Egyptian limestone coping wasn’t just cut to shape; each piece was carefully routed on the underside to conceal a continuous LED strip, casting a soft glow along the wall at night.
The edge finish—a gentle bevel with polished faces—highlights the natural fossil details and tonal variation that make this limestone paving so unique. As Paul notes, the painstaking installation process took nearly two weeks for two people, but the results speak for themselves: timeless, elegant, and flawlessly executed.
Why Choose Egyptian Limestone Paving?
This garden serves as a perfect case study in why Egyptian limestone is such a sought-after material for patios, terraces, and garden features across the UK:
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Natural Beauty – Fossil-rich textures and warm tones give Egyptian limestone its distinctive character. No two slabs are ever the same, creating a surface that feels alive and unique.
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Durability – Limestone is a hard-wearing material that stands up well to British weather, offering decades of service with minimal maintenance.
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Versatility – Equally at home in contemporary gardens and traditional settings, limestone can be used for patios, pool surrounds, steps, copings, and even driveways.
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Slip Resistance – With its naturally textured surface, this finish of Egyptian limestone paving offers excellent grip underfoot, even in damp conditions.
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Aging Gracefully – Unlike manufactured concrete paving, limestone develops a soft patina over time, enhancing its charm rather than detracting from it.
A Lasting Legacy of Quality
A year on, the garden remains immaculate. “The workmanship is spot on,” Craig observes, while Paul modestly credits his entire team. “We strive to just do the best we can and, you know, better every time.”
For Paul, this project remains one of his favourites: “This is one of the best designs I’ve seen Tom get executed… It’s going to be one of my proudest ones, probably ever.”
Is Limestone a Good Material for Patio Terraces?
This project serves as a perfect case study. The enduring appeal of limestone for patios and terraces lies in its natural beauty, durability, and timeless colour palette. Paul and Craig discuss how designer Tom Hill expertly used a warm colour scheme that complements the property’s brickwork and render.
“People come to us really with… really weird ideas about how to match paving to their house,” says Craig. “They would have a house like this which is full of warm colours and start looking at like really cold grays… A good designer can look at a property like this and say, ‘Okay, it’s warm coloured.’… and follow that through.”
The Lymington Dune limestone provides a perfect, neutral warmth that ties the entire garden together, proving that Egyptian limestone paving is not only a durable choice for a British garden but an aesthetically versatile one that ages gracefully.
Bringing Egyptian Limestone Into Your Garden
This project is a powerful example of what can be achieved when high-quality limestone paving meets exceptional design and craftsmanship. Whether you’re planning a new patio, a terrace, or a complete garden transformation, Egyptian limestone offers:
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Elegance that elevates everyday spaces.
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Durability that ensures long-term value.
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Versatility to suit both modern and traditional homes.
At Forest Stone, we supply premium Egyptian limestone paving and bespoke stonework to help homeowners, landscapers, and designers create beautiful, lasting outdoor spaces.
If you’d like to explore our full limestone range—or to discuss how Lymington Dune could work in your project—visit Forest Stone’s limestone paving collection.
