Once Upon a Time Between Two Shores - GardensDB Browse [ ![](/images/leaf_icon.svg) Gardens**DB** ](https://gardensdb.com) [ Gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) [ Shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) [ Studios ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) [ People ](https://gardensdb.com/people) [ Search gardens, designers, shows… ](https://gardensdb.com/search) [ Login ](https://gardensdb.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fgardensdb.com%2Fgardens%2Fonce-upon-a-time-between-two-shores) [ Register ](https://gardensdb.com/register) [ ](https://gardensdb.com/search) Discover - [ Home ](https://gardensdb.com) - [ Gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) - [ Shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) - [ Events ](https://gardensdb.com/events) - [ 360° tours ](https://gardensdb.com/360-tours) - [ Trails ](https://gardensdb.com/trails) People & studios - [ People ](https://gardensdb.com/people) - [ Studios ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) - [ Books ](https://gardensdb.com/books) - [ Jobs ](https://gardensdb.com/jobs) Organisations - [ Sponsors ](https://gardensdb.com/sponsors) - [ Charity & non-profits ](https://gardensdb.com/charities) - [ Collectives ](https://gardensdb.com/collectives) - [ Companies ](https://gardensdb.com/companies) - [ Education ](https://gardensdb.com/education-institutions) - [ Nurseries ](https://gardensdb.com/nurseries) Account - [ Login ](https://gardensdb.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fgardensdb.com%2Fgardens%2Fonce-upon-a-time-between-two-shores) - [ Register ](https://gardensdb.com/register) Discover - [ Home Today's highlights ](https://gardensdb.com) - [ Gardens Show gardens, catalogued ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) - [ Shows Horticultural shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) - [ Events Festivals, courses & open days ](https://gardensdb.com/events) - [ 360° tours Step inside, long after the show packs up ](https://gardensdb.com/360-tours) - [ Trails Curated routes through the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/trails) People & studios - [ People Designers, judges, growers ](https://gardensdb.com/people) - [ Studios Design practices ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) - [ Books Recommended reading ](https://gardensdb.com/books) - [ Jobs Roles in the industry ](https://gardensdb.com/jobs) Organisations - [ Sponsors Organisations that back the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/sponsors) - [ Charity & non-profits Causes behind the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/charities) - [ Collectives Groups & community projects ](https://gardensdb.com/collectives) - [ Companies Suppliers & contractors ](https://gardensdb.com/companies) - [ Education Schools, colleges & universities ](https://gardensdb.com/education-institutions) - [ Nurseries Plant suppliers & growers ](https://gardensdb.com/nurseries) [ Submit a garden ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens/submit) [ About GardensDB ](https://gardensdb.com/help) ![A rectangular border garden with tall white posts, a wooden bench, stepping stones, and informal planting of purple, blue, pink, and yellow flowers.](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/294191ba-d31c-4414-8efb-0597cbdd5313/conversions/ZoeKilbrideGWAF26gallery-gallery.webp) [Gardens](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) / [ BBC Gardeners' World Autum Fair 2026 ](https://gardensdb.com/shows/bbc-gardeners-world-autum-fair-2026) Beautiful Borders Once Upon a Time Between Two Shores ===================================== Designed by Zoe Kilbride At a glance Show BBC Gardeners' World Autum Fair Year 2026 Category Beautiful Borders Border About this garden The story ----------- Clacton or Portugal? My grandparents would ask my brother and me where we wanted to go on holiday. Although they had a lovely villa in the Algarve, we always chose Clacton, drawn to the fun of the arcades. In time, they stopped asking, turning instead towards the vibrancy and sun. This border tells a story of childhood holidays shaped by family and choice, contrasting two coastallandscapes. Clacton is expressed through staggered timber groynes, informal planting, and a rickety boardwalk, capturing a nostalgic character. In contrast, the Algarve is defined by clean lines, evenly spaced posts, and bright, sun-filled planting, reflecting a composed marina setting. A central backless bench represents my grandparents, the constant between these two worlds. Boardwalks meet before it, symbolising shared memories and connection. A unified palette of grasses and coastal planting creates cohesion across both places. The people behind it Designer ---------- - [ ZK Zoe Kilbride Designer ](https://gardensdb.com/people/zoe-kilbride) Photography Gallery --------- ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/294191ba-d31c-4414-8efb-0597cbdd5313/conversions/ZoeKilbrideGWAF26gallery-gallery.webp) ![]() / Hero image Set as hero Photo: ![](/images/leaf_icon.svg) Gardens**DB** The world's largest collection of show gardens online, kept free, kept current, and shaped by the community that uses it. 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