The water reads black and still, holding the sky and the planting around it. Clear to swim in, but nothing like the blue of a tiled pool.
Reeds, rushes and water lilies run the edges. The pond has a shoreline rather than a rim, so it settles into the garden around it.
A single oak beam sits just below the surface, dividing the swim zone from the planted regeneration zone. You swim over it without seeing it. It holds the planting back and keeps the open water open, doing the job a hard edge does in a conventional pool without ever showing itself.
Somewhere to walk out to and slip in from. Oak, left to weather grey, wide enough to sit on with your feet in the water.
Dragonflies, newts and nesting birds arrive on their own once the planting establishes. The pond works as part of the garden, not only as somewhere to swim.
Water moves slowly between the swim zone and the planted regeneration zone. Plant roots and gravel beds host the bacteria that take up the nutrients algae would otherwise feed on. No chlorine, no salt system and no daily testing.
A swimming pond wants room. The planted zone is roughly as large again as the water you swim in.
The water warms naturally and is at its best from late spring through to early autumn.
Upkeep is seasonal. Cut the planting back in autumn, clear leaves, check the pump.
Four stages, from the first walk round the garden to the seasons after the pond fills.
Design consultation: we walk the site and talk through levels, light, planting and where the jetty should sit.
Visualisation: drawings and a visual of the finished pond in your garden, with the costs set out in full.
Build and aftercare: excavation, lining, the oak beam and jetty, planting, then support while it establishes.
Guide price from £65,000 ex VAT. The first step is a design consultation at your garden, free and with no obligation.
