A devoted couple who have opened their home to more than 150 foster children over four decades were left overwhelmed with emotion after a dramatic garden transformation by Alan Titchmarsh — but not everyone was impressed.
Rob and Margaret Isdale, who have spent 45 years caring for vulnerable children, were the focus of ITV1’s Love Your Garden, where Alan and his team stepped in to completely reimagine their neglected outdoor space. The makeover was designed as a heartfelt thank-you to a couple whose generosity has changed countless lives.
Explaining the vision, Alan said he wanted the garden to make them feel as cared for as the children they had welcomed into their home. Inspired by the magic of The Secret Garden, the team created a whimsical and emotional space — but one bold design choice quickly divided viewers.
The transformation included turning the couple’s shed into a mock Tudor-style building and scattering the garden with weathered brick columns, described by Alan as “ancient looking follies”. He even told the couple they had “found the ruins of an old abbey” in their garden — a theatrical touch meant to evoke history and wonder.
But while the final reveal was undeniably dramatic, some viewers were far from convinced. One critic fumed that the team had “ruined that lovely garden with bricks and concrete”, while another admitted the space felt “too crowded and busy” — though they conceded that the couple’s happiness was what truly mattered.
And happiness was undeniable.
As the couple were shown their transformed garden, they were instantly moved to tears. Margaret gasped, saying it was the best she had ever seen it look, while Rob admitted he knew it would be special — but not this special.
Margaret laughed at the abbey revelation, calling it “brilliant”, while Rob added: “I knew it would be special but that’s extra special. Thank you so much.”
In an emotional final moment, Alan and his team reunited many of the 150 children Rob and Margaret had fostered over the years, turning the garden into the setting for a powerful family reunion — a living reminder of the lives they had touched.
