The design of Wraxall's children's hospice has won a top national landscaping award.

The hospice, run by charity Children's Hospice South West, was commended in the Design 1-5 Hectare category at the Landscape Institute Awards in London.

Geographer and BBC journalist Nicolas Crane hosted the ceremony, which showcased the most innovative and successful schemes.

The Countess of Wessex officially opened the hospice, which was built on the disused Charlton Farm, originally part of the Tyntesfield Estate, in June 2007.

The charity, which also runs Little Bridge House children's hospice, near Barnstaple, provides respite care to terminally-ill children and their families.

Indigo Landscape Architects, of Salisbury, won its award for its design of a sympathetic and holistic setting for the hospice, within an historically important landscape.

The creation of the hospice offered the opportunity to restore significant late 18th century landscape features, including parkland, orchard and farm courtyards.

Indigo was employed to design an inspiring and welcoming setting for the hospice and an uplifting and challenging play garden for children of all ages and abilities.

There were a number of special requirements including the use of environmentally sustainable design principles and the provision of wheelchair access throughout the steeply sloping countryside.

The diverse range of children's abilities inspired a garden with imaginative, physical and sensory features.

Landscape Institute president Neil Williamson said: "We are delighted to recognise this scheme as one of the industry's most outstanding projects. The landscape architects involved have produced an uplifting landscape truly worthy of its setting."

Chris Bottle, of Indigo, said: "This complex scheme has been a huge success and is the result of a superb team effort, which included the architects, LHC, the main contractor, Cowlin Construction, and the landscape contractor, Chew Valley Landscapes.

"Everyone involved in the project has been touched by it and it has been truly special, deeply rewarding and we have been genuinely privileged to be part of its success."

Natalina Mansfield, a member of the care team at Charlton Farm, said: "It is such a beautiful garden, full of wonderful sensory experiences.

"Between smelling all the different scents that the garden has to offer and listening to the sound of the bamboo moving in the wind, the children and families are able to escape the business of the world and let their mind wander."