Meet Caroline Tatham
Founder & Principal of The Cotswold Gardening School
Royal College of Art graduate • Qualified Lecturer • Award-winning Garden Designer • Passionate Educator
Caroline Tatham founded The Cotswold Gardening School in 2010 with a simple vision: to provide aspiring garden designers with a professional education that combines creativity, practical experience and individual support.
Drawing on more than three decades of experience in design, education and professional practice, Caroline has helped students from a wide range of backgrounds develop the confidence and skills needed to pursue rewarding careers in garden design. Today, many of her graduates have gone on to establish successful design businesses, exhibit at RHS Flower Shows and receive prestigious industry awards.
At a Glance
✔ MA Fashion Textiles – Royal College of Art
✔ Qualified Lecturer – has taught at a range of institutions across the range of design disciplines to degree level
✔ Professional Garden Designer since 2005
✔ Award-winning RHS Designer
✔ Founder of The Cotswold Gardening School
✔ Mentor to RHS medal-winning designers
A Lifetime in Creative Design
Creativity has been at the heart of Caroline's career from the very beginning.
After graduating with an MA in Fashion Textiles from the Royal College of Art in London in 1991, Caroline worked as a Buyer and Brand Manager for leading organisations including Marks & Spencer and The Walt Disney Company. Her experience in commercial design, branding and creative development continues to influence her approach to garden design today.
In 2005, Caroline retrained as a professional garden and planting designer, graduating as Top Student of her year and receiving Runner-up in the Student SGLD Awards. It was the beginning of a new chapter, combining her lifelong passion for creativity with the beauty of gardens and landscapes.
Designer, Educator and Mentor
Caroline is a qualified lecturer, having achieved a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCert) with Distinction in 2002.
Throughout her teaching career she has lectured at respected institutions including Central Saint Martins (now part of the University of the Arts London) and The English Gardening School in London, developing a teaching style that balances creativity with practical professional skills.
When she founded The Cotswold Gardening School in 2010, Caroline brought together her experience as both a professional designer and educator to create a course unlike any other. She believes that successful garden design is about far more than learning technical skills - it is about developing creative thinking, confidence and the ability to solve real design challenges.
Through live client projects, individual tutorials and regular presentations, students are encouraged to discover their own design voice while building the skills needed to work professionally.
Professional Practice
Alongside teaching, Caroline continues to work as a professional garden designer.
Following her appearance in the television series A Garden for Eden, she established her own design practice in the Cotswolds and, since 2009, has been creating the nine-acre gardens surrounding the historic Gossington Hall.
Her own projects and client commissions regularly provide real-life case studies for students, helping to bridge the gap between education and professional practice.
RHS & Industry Experience
In 2014 and 2015, Caroline designed the RHS Feature Garden and Celebrity Stage at the RHS Malvern Spring Festival, receiving the Best Feature Garden Award. During the same period, she mentored designers exhibiting in the Festival Show Garden category, helping to support emerging talent within the profession.
Today, Caroline continues to share examples from her own client projects and RHS experience, giving students a genuine insight into professional practice and the standards expected within the industry.
Developing the Next Generation
One of Caroline's greatest pleasures is seeing former students flourish as professional designers.
Graduates of The Cotswold Gardening School have gone on to establish successful businesses, design award-winning show gardens and receive recognition throughout the industry.
Former student Steve Williams now returns to the school as a visiting lecturer after designing a Main Avenue garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, while Sophie Leo, once one of Caroline's students and now also a tutor at the school, was named RHS Young Designer of the Year 2026. Numerous other graduates have achieved medals at RHS Flower Shows and continue to build successful careers in garden design.
For Caroline, there is no greater measure of success than seeing students develop into confident professionals and inspiring the next generation in turn.
Visit Our Student Success PageReady to Begin Your Own Journey?
If you're looking for a professional garden design course that combines creativity, real-world experience and expert guidance, we'd love to welcome you to The Cotswold Gardening School.
