Tommy Walsh has long been synonymous with British garden makeovers, but his own property in Cambridgeshire is where he really puts his skills to work.
Best known from the BBC hit Ground Force, which ran through the late 1990s and early 2000s, Walsh helped make outdoor makeovers must-see TV alongside presenters such as Charlie Dimmock, Alan Titchmarsh, Will Shanahan and Kirsty King.
The show's influence was so strong it even helped spark a boom in decking sales — retailer B&Q reported sales jumping from £5,000 in 1997 to £16 million by 2001.
Walsh describes his back garden as his pride and joy and it became the setting for a memorable family moment during the pandemic.
When his daughter's bigger plans had to be shelved, they rearranged the garden for the wedding and he gave the space a thoughtful refresh to make the day special.
The plot is split-level, which they used to their advantage: a marquee sat on the raised area while the lower terrace hosted the bar and seating, creating a natural flow between spaces.
Walsh says watching his daughter walk down the stairs in her wedding dress is a moment he’ll never forget.
Inside the house, Walsh balances antiques with contemporary pieces.
He bought an imposing marble fireplace with a cast-iron insert for the main reception room and commissioned a matching surround for a second sitting area known as the piano room, where his wife plays.
A practical craftsman, Walsh also built several pieces himself.
He fashioned a coffee table, side table and dining table from granite and polished stainless steel, work he says cost roughly 30–40% less than having them made by others.
The result is modern, durable furniture that suits a home built for entertaining.
Beyond Ground Force, Walsh has continued to appear on property and DIY programmes, including Homes Under the Hammer, Flip That House with Tommy Walsh, and he currently presents the BBC show Clean It, Fix It.
His hands-on approach at home mirrors the practical, can-do style viewers have admired for decades.
