The Art of the Fire Pit: How to Add Warmth, Atmosphere & Style to Your Garden

Built to Belong, Not to Stand Out

At Tom Trouton Landscapes, we don’t drop in fire pits as afterthoughts. We design them to sit comfortably in the space, as if they were always meant to be there.

Our approach usually begins with questions like:

• What’s already happening in the garden — what’s the flow, the light, the wind?

• How can we use stone, gravel, and planting to nestle the fire pit into place?

• Should it be raised and open, or low and quietly tucked away?

Some clients want a traditional stone circle, others lean towards a more sculptural form. We’ve created fire pits with integrated seating, with hidden drainage, and with pathways that naturally lead guests towards the glow. It’s never off-the-shelf. We work with the land — not against it.

What Makes a Good Fire Pit Great

There’s no shortage of mass-produced fire pits online. But we’ve found that what people really want is something that feels personal — considered, solid, and beautiful.

A few things we always think about:

• Stone matters: Local materials have a softness that blends beautifully with Somerset gardens. We often work with reclaimed stone, or use the same palette as existing walls or terraces.

• Depth and scale: The fire pit should sit comfortably with its surroundings — not dominate them.

• Function meets feeling: Deep treads on nearby steps. Places to perch. A pathway that crunches underfoot as you approach.

The best fire pits invite people in without shouting for attention. You can see some examples of past work in our portfolio.

One Fire Pit, A Dozen Possibilities

A fire pit isn’t a standalone feature. It often unlocks the rest of the space. Suddenly, that part of the garden that was rarely used becomes a favourite spot.

Depending on the project, we might build:

• Low circular seating, with timber or stone

• Soft planting that wraps around the pit for shelter and privacy

• Pathways lit low with subtle lighting

• Overhead frames for shelter or to hang lanterns

• Cooking setups for open-fire dining
  
  

If the fire pit becomes the anchor, we help design what happens around it.

Thoughtful Details, Lasting Craft

There’s a practical side to every fire pit. And we’re always thinking about the less glamorous parts:

• Drainage to avoid water sitting in the bowl

• Safe clearances for seating, planting, and materials

• Durability — we only build using methods and materials that stand the test of time

• Access — steps with wide treads, easy flow to and from the house

That’s the kind of detail you might not notice straight away, but you feel it every time you use the space.

More Than a Flame

A fire pit is just one part of what we offer. Often, it’s part of a wider project — new terraces, pathways, water features, or planting schemes that reimagine the garden entirely.

We’re a small, experienced team based in Somerset. We’ve been doing this work for over 20 years, and we’ve built a reputation for being friendly, careful, and reliable. You can read more about how we work here.

If you’re considering a fire pit — whether it’s a bold centrepiece or a quiet retreat — we’d be happy to talk it through with you.

No hard sell, no push. Just a conversation.

Want to Explore the Possibilities?

If you’d like to chat about how a fire pit might work in your garden, you can get in touch here. We’re always happy to offer advice, even if it doesn’t lead to a project.

And if you’d like to see what our work looks like, you’ll find plenty of past projects in our portfolio.