A garden inspired by Branscombe Forge near Axminster, has won two awards at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

This year was the first time they have exhibited at the show. And the Blue Diamond Forge Garden wins Best Artisan Garden and also a Silver Award.

Midweek Herald: Best Artisan Garden award at the Chelsea Flower ShowBest Artisan Garden award at the Chelsea Flower Show (Image: National Trust)

The garden features a thatched roof forge and bespoke, handcrafted pieces of metal work created by the resident blacksmith at Branscombe Forge, Simon Hall, a third generation blacksmith who first took up the craft at the age of nine – learning the trade from his grandad, uncle and father.

In the garden, the colours in the leaves of the trees and flowers mirrored that of a forge, the flames, embers and soot. As well as a stream running through it, another key component of blacksmithing.

Midweek Herald: Simon Hall hard at workSimon Hall hard at work (Image: National Trust)

Simon Hall, blacksmith at Branscombe Forge, said: “It’s been great to be involved in the project at Chelsea Flower Show and blend the craft of blacksmithing with nature to create pieces that are part of the Blue Diamond Artisan Garden. Not only was it a good opportunity to showcase the 50 years of family skills which have been handed down to me, but it was also a great way to show that traditional blacksmithing is still going strong.

"RHS Chelsea has provided us with a fantastic opportunity to showcase the talents within the Blue Diamond Group. Our garden was originally thought up and designed by employees within the group who have then worked closely and had excellent support from Conquest Creative Spaces and Project Consultant, Cherry Carmen, to bring the Blue Diamond Forge Garden to life. I am delighted with how the garden looks and we’ve had many complimentary comments from visitors to the show about the garden with many saying that they cannot believe that forge was built in only two weeks, its authenticity making it appear to have always been in the grounds of Chelsea.”

The Blue Diamond Forge Garden wont be returning to Devon after the show though. The display will be built in its entirety at Bridgemere Gardens Cheshire.