A sand pit rather than a paddling pool will get more use and be simpler to install. (Still needs a cover so it doesn't get used as a cat toilet). Our boys spent hours playing out in the sand regardless of weather and paddling pools tend to get used only when it's warm. Plus they can be relatively unsupervised in sand whereas they need to be watched over constantly with water.
I personally wouldn't have water anywhere near decking. It's hard enough to look after long term, at the best of times. I think a sand pit is a good idea. I'm curious as to what lies to the south of the garden: is it clear view or buildings or trees? Is anything blocking full sun that way?
Are you planning any planting at any point - containers, planters, more trees, trellis climbers, borders? (Just wondering) If so, good to factor that in now rather than as an after thought.
Well true I was thinking of composite or aluminum decking as in my previous house had timber decking and had to reoil it every year. The house is a 60s building in London, so there are about 10 houses around the sides and back, with a complex mix of deciduous and evergreen trees, some pruned and kept to about 6m, others unkept, a TPOd oak tree to the west beyond the houses (20m away) Our garden has a 40-50 year old Japanese acer to the west (right viewed from house back) and a row of 8 full standard photonia red robins I planted (3 to 5m high)
The plan is to have various fruit trees espaliered / fan trained / columnar in between the clear trunk of these photonias - thinking apple, pear, cherry. The last two of the 8 photonias have a trained thornfree blackberry that grows as a cordon.
To the south side opposite the house - north facing fence, where the neighbours fence is shaded, so will have espaliered red currants and probably goose berry on an independent support.
To the east side which is also our fence might have an outdoor kitchen (gas bbq and sink) on the decking. The neighbour has a massive ivy, so nothing really grows there - so maybe a childs slide tower
On the decking balustrades, the plan is to have vertical garden with most common herbs and perhaps a trained blueberry bushes. The plan being to pluck them to use in the outside and inside kitchen.
Hope this gives you an idea
So in summary Fruit trees Thornfree blackberry (existing) Apple Pear Cherry redcurrants gooseberries blueberries
Herbs Anything that grows on the southfacing side in vertical garden
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what software did you use for the design pics? I've been looking for something like that
https://www.gardena.com/uk/garden-life/garden-planner/
Hope it helps
The house is a 60s building in London, so there are about 10 houses around the sides and back, with a complex mix of deciduous and evergreen trees, some pruned and kept to about 6m, others unkept, a TPOd oak tree to the west beyond the houses (20m away)
Our garden has a 40-50 year old Japanese acer to the west (right viewed from house back) and a row of 8 full standard photonia red robins I planted (3 to 5m high)
The plan is to have various fruit trees espaliered / fan trained / columnar in between the clear trunk of these photonias - thinking apple, pear, cherry. The last two of the 8 photonias have a trained thornfree blackberry that grows as a cordon.
To the south side opposite the house - north facing fence, where the neighbours fence is shaded, so will have espaliered red currants and probably goose berry on an independent support.
To the east side which is also our fence might have an outdoor kitchen (gas bbq and sink) on the decking. The neighbour has a massive ivy, so nothing really grows there - so maybe a childs slide tower
On the decking balustrades, the plan is to have vertical garden with most common herbs and perhaps a trained blueberry bushes. The plan being to pluck them to use in the outside and inside kitchen.
Hope this gives you an idea
So in summary
Fruit trees
Thornfree blackberry (existing)
Apple
Pear
Cherry
redcurrants
gooseberries
blueberries
Herbs
Anything that grows on the southfacing side in vertical garden