Celebrating Sarah Murch: One of the UK's Top 100 Garden Designers

A Journey of Passion and Transformation

We are thrilled to announce that Sarah Murch, the visionary director of Ellicar Pools & Gardens, has been named one of the UK's top 100 garden designers by HortWeek - the UK‘s oldest, most respected and leading horticulture publication.

Gardening has always been more than just a hobby for Sarah; it's been her sanctuary. In 2001, Sarah took her passion to the next level by retraining as a garden designer, channelling her creativity and love for gardens into a career that has since blossomed into a remarkable journey. Her early work, which focused on transforming small domestic gardens, laid the foundation for her future successes working on large-scale residential and commercial landscapes.

Sarah's expertise in biological water filtration, honed through her training with global Natural Pool experts Biotop, has been a cornerstone of her design philosophy. Her first natural pool, created in her family's garden at Ellicar House, marked the beginning of her journey in integrating water features and biodiversity into her landscape projects. Today, Sarah is renowned for her ability to create sustainable, ecological landscapes that are not only visually stunning but also environmentally friendly.

Award-Winning Projects

One of Sarah's most notable achievements is the Supreme Winner award at the 2024 APL Awards for the Southwell project. This project featured a breath-taking natural swimming pool surrounded by naturalistic gardens, embodying Sarah's commitment to sustainability and ecological balance. The brief was to create a bright, colourful, naturalistic garden, reminiscent of the client’s Kenyan childhood, so they could step outside into nature, and support wildlife whilst enjoy wild swimming. Sarah also incorporated areas for relaxation and dining outdoors with family and friends.

Designing with Nature

Sarah's design philosophy centres on creating biodynamic landscapes that work harmoniously with the site's natural elements such as water, wind, sun, and topography. Her gardens thrive year-round, offering a sanctuary for both people and wildlife. Specializing in biodynamic landscapes, Sarah's work is characterized by wild, naturalistic spaces and tapestry gardens that blend seamlessly into the surrounding countryside. These designs not only enhance the beauty of the area but also promote biodiversity and create habitats for wildlife.

Impact and Recognition

Being named one of the UK's top 100 garden designers is a significant milestone for Sarah. It reflects her dedication to enriching people's lives through nature, her innovative approach to garden design, and her unwavering commitment to sustainability. Sarah feels privileged to be able to offer people spaces where they can relax and reconnect with nature, and this recognition further motivates her to continue her inspiring work.

Looking Ahead

Under Sarah's leadership, Ellicar Pools & Gardens has grown into a beacon of sustainable garden design. Her team's enthusiasm for bringing landscapes to life, building ecosystems, and creating habitats for wildlife is evident in every project they undertake. Looking ahead, Sarah and her team are excited about several upcoming projects that will continue to push the boundaries of ecological and sustainable garden design.