How to recreate the beach in your backyard

As winter continues to chug along, we understand you're probably getting itchy feet as you wait to get back into your garden. For those living inland, a great way to create an escape is by transforming your garden into a tropical oasis that makes you feel like you've gone away on a wonderful beach holiday - when really, you're in the comfort of your own home!

According to a survey in Gardeners' World magazine, 90% of gardeners believe getting out in their garden improves their mood - so what are you waiting for? Get involved with the outdoors and transform your backyard into a beach paradise, ready for the warmer months.

1. Sand

The first thing you're going to want to truly make your garden feel like the beach is with, you guessed it, sand! By digging out a certain area of your garden and sectioning it off, you'll have the perfect foundation for a backyard sand pit. The bigger, the better for transforming this area but work with what you've got.

2. Sea

The next thing we recommend is a water feature. Again, use a digger to create the space you need and use either blue tarpaulin to line it or, if you choose to line with concrete or a different material, paint this a blue colour to give the illusion of the clear, turquoise waters of the ocean. You can even stagger the sand down into the water to recreate a real beachy feel.

3. Setting the scene

Once you've completed these two key aspects you can move onto the decoration - think deck chairs, beach balls, rope, lifesavers and sea life ornaments. Get as creative as you want with this, and fill your garden with as many nautical and beach-themed items as you can find.