Eternal Garden

The Eternal Garden at St Peter's Hospital by Rae Wilkinson Design


Rae has designed a new, award-winning courtyard garden for palliative care patients at Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals in Chertsey.

The Eternal Garden designed by Rae Wilkinson for St Peter's Hospital, Chertsey
The Eternal Garden for palliative care patients to spend time with family and friends was opened on Thursday 28th April 2022 at St Peter's Hospital in Chertsey.

Rae has transformed the existing courtyard at the hospital into a calming and private garden which provides a dedicated space for loved ones to spend precious moments with their family or friends whilst receiving end-of-life care at St Peter's Hospital.

The garden comprises a patioed area surrounded by pleached trees, an oak pergola, planted beds, wooden benches and three water bowls to fill the garden with the calming sound of trickling water. Also located in the courtyard is a garden room with bi-folding glass doors to allow the healing power of nature to flow throughout. To enable Eternal Garden to be used both day and night, all year round, the room has heating installed and lights around the garden's patio area.

Visualisation of The Eternal Garden for palliative care patients at St Peter's Hospital, Chertsey. Rae Wilkinson Design The Eternal Garden for palliative care patients at St Peter's Hospital, Chertsey. Rae Wilkinson Design
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The benefits of being in the sanctuary of nature within this garden will bring some much-needed space and peace during difficult times for patients, their carers and their loved ones.
Visualisation of The Eternal Garden for palliative care patients at St Peter's Hospital, Chertsey. Rae Wilkinson Design

The courtyard has been named Eternal Garden, as the name signifies time without end and how things endure beyond life, including memories and the impact others have on our lives.

Garden designer and TV presenter Arit Anderson, who officially opened Eternal Garden, said, "We come into the world in a whirl of energy and what happens after that is up to fate, but what we do need is to be nurtured in our most difficult of times. The Eternal Garden will be a wonderful place of sanctuary and healing to patients, family, and staff at St Peter's. Bravo to the team, Rae Wilkinson and The Outdoor Room for creating this special and necessary space."

Eternal Garden received the award for Best Planting Design under £25,000 in Pro Landscape Magazine's small project BIG IMPACT awards 2022.

The Eternal Garden for palliative care patients at St Peter's Hospital, Chertsey. Rae Wilkinson Design The Eternal Garden for palliative care patients at St Peter's Hospital, Chertsey. Rae Wilkinson Design The Eternal Garden for palliative care patients at St Peter's Hospital, Chertsey. Rae Wilkinson Design
The Eternal Garden for palliative care patients at St Peter's Hospital, Chertsey. Rae Wilkinson Design The Eternal Garden for palliative care patients at St Peter's Hospital, Chertsey. Rae Wilkinson Design
The Eternal Garden for palliative care patients at St Peter's Hospital, Chertsey. Rae Wilkinson Design The Eternal Garden for palliative care patients at St Peter's Hospital, Chertsey. Rae Wilkinson Design
The Eternal Garden for palliative care patients at St Peter's Hospital, Chertsey. Rae Wilkinson Design
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