Based in Camberley, Surrey, Moira Farnham is a widely respected and highly experienced garden designer. Her reputation speaks for itself: over half of the projects she undertakes stem from the ‘word of mouth’ recommendations of previous, satisfied clients. In addition to being a freelance designer for over 15 years, Moira has enjoyed a very successful teaching career, nurturing the talents of new generations of garden designers.
She is the co-founder and Principal of one of the UK’s leading private colleges, Garden Design School, where students genuinely look forward to her inspirational lectures.
Moira’s training in garden design began at the Kew School of Garden Design, where she completed a Certificate Course in 1992. She subsequently studied at the College of Garden Design, obtaining a distinction in her final assessment. In 1996 she began teaching at the Merrist Wood College in Surrey – helping to create the syllabus for the first ever National Diploma in Garden Design – and held numerous ‘Master Classes’ for the English Gardening School in London.
Moira has designed over 300 gardens for homeowners throughout the south east of England. She has tackled almost every brief imaginable: from a tiny back yard to several acres of untamed wilderness. Her approach in all cases is to look carefully at exactly what each client needs from their garden – including all of the practical elements – and then devise a beautiful, life-enhancing, sustainable solution which is in sympathy with buildings and the surrounding landscape. Some projects take just a few months (from initial meeting to completion of the built garden). Others occur in stages over several years, Moira providing ongoing professional expertise in all aspects of garden maintenance and development. Moira prides herself on being personally involved in everything: “Unlike larger design practices, I’m there for all of the meetings - with clients, contractors and suppliers – and I do all of the drawings, monitor the work and see the project through to the end.”
Moira’s training in garden design began at the Kew School of Garden Design, where she completed a Certificate Course in 1992. She subsequently studied at the College of Garden Design, obtaining a distinction in her final assessment. In 1996 she began teaching at the Merrist Wood College in Surrey – helping to create the syllabus for the first ever National Diploma in Garden Design – and held numerous ‘Master Classes’ for the English Gardening School in London.
Moira has designed over 300 gardens for homeowners throughout the south east of England. She has tackled almost every brief imaginable: from a tiny back yard to several acres of untamed wilderness. Her approach in all cases is to look carefully at exactly what each client needs from their garden – including all of the practical elements – and then devise a beautiful, life-enhancing, sustainable solution which is in sympathy with buildings and the surrounding landscape. Some projects take just a few months (from initial meeting to completion of the built garden). Others occur in stages over several years, Moira providing ongoing professional expertise in all aspects of garden maintenance and development. Moira prides herself on being personally involved in everything: “Unlike larger design practices, I’m there for all of the meetings - with clients, contractors and suppliers – and I do all of the drawings, monitor the work and see the project through to the end.”
Other interesting facts from Moira Farnham’s CV:
Moira has spent her entire working life in the design field: prior to being a garden designer
she was a senior costume designer for Thames Television and worked on several major
West End theatre productions.
She is a regular contributor to consumer gardening and lifestyle magazines, providing expert opinion on trends in garden design.
Moira was part of a design & build team for several show gardens at the RHS’s Hampton Court International Flower Show – winning Silver Gilt, Gold and Tudor Rose awards.
Moira is a Member of the UK’s Society
of Garden Designers (SGD), serving
for 3 years as a Council Member.
She is a regular contributor to consumer gardening and lifestyle magazines, providing expert opinion on trends in garden design.
Moira was part of a design & build team for several show gardens at the RHS’s Hampton Court International Flower Show – winning Silver Gilt, Gold and Tudor Rose awards.
Moira is a Member of the UK’s Society
of Garden Designers (SGD), serving
for 3 years as a Council Member.
Surrey Life Showcases Work of Garden Design School Founder
The leading UK regional magazine, Surrey Life, has just published a major feature about GDS co-founder, Moira Farnham. In addition to being one of our college’s principal lecturers, Moira has been a successful freelance garden designer for over 17 years, working extensively throughout the south east of England.
The article explains how Moira discovered her passion for garden design, explores her influences and illustrates her philosophy in relation to structure, shape and sustainability. It also shows how she creates gardens that marry excitement and intrigue with practicality; gardens that, above all, are perfectly suited to a client’s needs.
Moira also speaks of her delight at helping to nurture new generations of top designers at Garden Design School.
You can read the article by clicking here.
The article explains how Moira discovered her passion for garden design, explores her influences and illustrates her philosophy in relation to structure, shape and sustainability. It also shows how she creates gardens that marry excitement and intrigue with practicality; gardens that, above all, are perfectly suited to a client’s needs.
Moira also speaks of her delight at helping to nurture new generations of top designers at Garden Design School.
You can read the article by clicking here.
