Private Estate Management and Garden Design
A rare combination of horticultural expertise, design sensibility, and long-term care for the land. For those who take their gardens seriously.
Begin a conversationMJWGardenDesigns offers something genuinely uncommon: a sole practitioner who combines the long-range vision of a garden designer with the hands-on expertise of a career head gardener. The result is a relationship, not a transaction.
Based in Cambridgeshire, Michael works with a carefully selected clientele on private estates and distinguished properties where the garden is considered integral to the character of the place.
Each engagement is shaped around the property and the ambitions of its owners. I work with a small number of clients at any one time to ensure the depth of attention each garden deserves.
Michael James Westmore, MJWGardenDesigns
"A garden is only as good as its understanding. I bring the perspective of someone who has planted, pruned, and planned within the same spaces, and that continuity changes everything."
Michael has spent his career at the intersection of horticultural craft and creative design. Trained to RHS Level 3, he spent formative years as Head Gardener at the University of Cambridge, a role that sharpened both his technical rigour and his ability to manage complex, high-profile grounds.
Today Michael holds a contracted position on a Grade II* listed Regency estate in Cambridgeshire, where he oversees the management and development of historically significant gardens. His private client work runs in parallel: selective, considered, and always long-term in its thinking.
Michael's approach centres on seasonal integrity and long-range vision, gardens that look exceptional in every month, and grow more distinctive with each passing year.
"The results were beyond our expectations. From the first meeting Michael came in with a fresh pair of eyes, professional ideas, and suggestions that incorporated our needs, and delivered from start to very end."
Ben Nunn, Private client
We might only be in phase 2 but the garden looks completely different and like a dream come true. Michael broke it into phases to suit our budget and I've really appreciated his eye for detail, creativity and execution.
Michael listened to our requirements carefully and put them into an extensive design plan and mood board. Throughout the process he checked in regularly and offered well thought out alternative solutions that kept in line with the project.
Highly recommend Michael for any garden maintenance and design needs. He's been very professional, friendly, responsive and well informed. Looking forward to seeing the design work come to life this year.
I work with a small number of clients and take on new work selectively. If you have a property you feel could benefit from a different level of attention, I'd welcome a conversation.