Four styles, different priorities
A swimming pond, a natural pool and a living pool offer three different ways to swim without routine chlorine dosing. A wildlife pond has a different purpose. It is a place for nature rather than bathing.
For a considered garden that wants both clean lines and the softness of planting.
From £80,000 + VAT
Explore natural poolsFor the feeling of a quiet dip in the landscape, with a garden rather than a poolside atmosphere.
From £45,000 + VAT
Explore swimming pondsFor the look of a conventional pool, with biological filtration kept out of sight.
From £80,000 + VAT
Explore living poolsFor watching the water, enjoying the planting and making more room for wildlife.
From £12,000 + VAT
Explore wildlife pondsIllustrative pool styles. Starting prices are guides, not quotations, and exclude VAT. Your site, access, size and chosen finishes shape the final price.
What goes into the costBeyond the photograph
The best fit is not always the most elaborate option. Start with the part of the experience that matters most, then check the space, budget and care behind it.
Talk through your ideasA morning length, a relaxed dip and a place for the family to spend time are different briefs. Think about useful swimming length, depth, entry steps and the route from the house, not just the overall area of water.
Swimming is the priority? Start with one of the three swimming options, not a wildlife pond.
A swimming pond has the lowest starting price of our swimming options. But the final scheme also needs to account for access, excavation, filtration, edges and surrounding finishes. Compare like for like before choosing on price alone.
Explore the cost guidePlanted pools and ponds bring seasonal plant care as well as surface cleaning and equipment attention. A living pool shifts the emphasis towards its filtration system and pool surfaces. None should be chosen on the promise of no maintenance.
Understand maintenance and aftercareDesigned around your setting
A style that looks right in a photograph still needs to work on your site. We consider the space around the water, the outlook from the house, construction access and the practical needs of the chosen system together.
SpaceAllow for planting or concealed filtration, not only the swim zone.
SettingBalance the pool edge, materials and planting with the house and garden.
AccessThink about getting the build in, and reaching the equipment afterwards.
Illustrative design. Your proposal is developed around your own site.
Bring the options you are drawn to and tell us why. The design consultation is the place to compare them against the same garden, rather than committing to a pool type before the practical details are understood.
Book a free design consultationA little more clarity
From the space you need to the care involved, these are the useful differences to understand before settling on a style.
Explore all pool FAQsAlready have a shortlist? You can bring more than one idea to your consultation.
Discuss your garden with usIn our range, a swimming pond has the most naturalistic appearance, with softer edges and planted margins. A natural pool combines a more defined swimming area with a visible planted regeneration zone. A living pool has a conventional pool appearance, with biological filtration concealed rather than expressed through a planted zone. The distinction is about the layout and system as well as the look.
No. Our swimming ponds, natural pools and living pools are designed for swimming. Our wildlife ponds are designed for habitat and the enjoyment of the garden, and are not commissioned for bathing. Even occasional swimming needs to be part of the brief from the beginning, rather than added as an assumption afterwards.
About wildlife ponds ↗A living pool can be worth exploring because it does not rely on a visible planted regeneration zone beside the swimming area. It still needs space for filtration, maintenance access and the surrounding pool edge. There is no single minimum garden size that suits every system. Useful swimming dimensions, site access and the complete layout need to be considered together.
No. In a swimming pond or planted natural pool, the layout distinguishes the swimming area from the planted regeneration area. You can enjoy the planting without making it part of your swimming route. A living pool is the option to explore when you prefer a pool without a visible planted regeneration zone.
Explore living pools ↗Our swimming ponds start from £45,000 excluding VAT. Natural pools and living pools start from £80,000 excluding VAT. Wildlife ponds have a lower starting price but are not a swimming alternative. These are guide starting prices, not fixed quotations; access, ground conditions, scale and the surrounding finishes all need to be considered.
Read the full cost guide ↗There is not one answer for every garden or owner. Planted designs involve seasonal plant management alongside surface cleaning and equipment care. Living pools place more emphasis on the filtration system and pool surfaces. All swimming options need an appropriate care and checking routine, so the useful question is which tasks suit you and what support you would like.
Maintenance and aftercare ↗It may be. The existing structure, pipework, available space and proposed filtration system need to be assessed before deciding what can be retained. A conversion is not simply a matter of stopping chlorine treatment. We can discuss the condition of the pool and the appearance you would like before recommending a direction.
Explore pool conversions ↗No. Start with the garden, how you imagine using the water and a comfortable budget. Bring pictures or two different styles you are considering. We can help compare the options against the same brief, then develop a design that makes sense for your setting. The consultation is free and there is no obligation to proceed.
Book a design consultation ↗