Garden Pond Design: Planning Your Perfect Water Feature

Imagine stepping into your garden and hearing the gentle sound of water, sunlight dancing across the surface of a perfectly still pond, and dragonflies skimming above the lilies. A place that feels peaceful, restorative, and entirely your own.

At Gardens by Keltie & Clark, we believe a water feature can transform not only the look of a garden but the way you use it. We work with you to create a space you’ve always imagined – one that draws you outside more often, encourages you to pause and unwind, and enhances the beauty and value of your home. 

From the first sketches to the final plant in the water, we design, build, and plant every pond ourselves, ensuring a seamless process and a flawless finish. Here’s how…

How to design and build a pond for your garden in the Cotswolds

Step One: Designing Your Garden Pond

A successful pond design starts with listening – we get to know how you want the space to feel, how you’ll interact with it, and how it will sit within the rest of the garden. We then consider the technical details, site conditions, and visual impact before moving into construction.

Choosing the perfect location

The right location makes all the difference in how a pond looks and performs. Many clients choose to position their pond close to a seating terrace so they can enjoy the reflections and movement from the comfort of a favourite chair. Others prefer a pond in a more secluded area – a destination within the garden where the walk there becomes part of the experience. We will help you to understand where to locate your pond for maximum enjoyment.

Sunlight is essential for most pond plants to thrive. It keeps the ecosystem in balance, encourages aquatic plants to flourish, and helps maintain stable water temperatures. Shade from overhanging trees not only limits sunlight but can create maintenance issues from falling leaves and, potentially, root damage to liners. Too much sunlight can also cause unwanted algae blooms so methods of controlling this such as surface pond plants or chemicals to keep the pond clear can be discussed depending on the type of pond and its ecosystem.

Practicalities matter too. Access to electricity for pumps, lighting, or filtration should be factored in from the start, along with the surrounding ground levels. We avoid areas with a high water table or spots where rainwater collects naturally, as these can cause structural problems or introduce unwanted run-off into the pond.

Determining the pond size, shape & style

Your pond should look like it belongs – enhancing the lines of the garden and harmonising with the style of your home.

• Natural Wildlife Pond: Designed with a rich mix of planting to invite frogs, newts, dragonflies, and birds. This is a great pond design for Cotswold country gardens where the water feature can blend seamlessly into the landscape.
  
• Formal Reflecting Pool: Sleek edges, symmetrical planting, and still water that mirrors the sky. Perfect for creating a sense of calm order and drawing the eye towards key architectural features – an ideal pond design for Cheltenham Regency townhouses.
• Koi or Ornamental Pond: Built with filtration and aeration systems to keep the water pristine and the fish healthy, with planting carefully chosen to provide both beauty and shade. A good choice to build into a hidden outdoor sanctuary garden – take a look at our blog for more inspiration.
• Natural Swimming Pond: An increasingly popular choice for Cotswolds estate gardens, combining the wild beauty of a natural pond with the joy of open water swimming. Designed for year-round visual interest and seasonal use.

Step Two: Expert Pond Construction

If design is where your ideas take shape, construction is where they come to life. Because our landscaping and construction team work entirely in-house, we control every stage of the build, from groundworks to finishing touches.

Constructing your pond: our process

We start with precision excavation, shaping the pond to the agreed design and ensuring the ground is stable. The base is prepared to protect the liner and prevent punctures. We then install the chosen liner, fit any pumps or filtration systems, and build in hard landscaping elements such as stone edging, decking, or stepping stones. Finally, we prepare planting shelves and zones before filling the pond with water and beginning the planting phase.

Choosing the right pond liner

The liner is one of the most important choices for ensuring durability and performance. We will guide you through the options, which might include:

• Flexible Rubber Liners (EPDM or Butyl): Ideal for bespoke shapes, allowing for flowing curves and naturalistic edges while offering excellent longevity.
• Pre-formed Rigid Liners: Perfect for smaller, more geometric designs where shape precision is essential.
• Concrete & Render: A highly robust, permanent choice often used in formal designs and koi ponds, allowing for architectural features such as infinity edges.
• Fibreglass: We can create a pond of any size and shape as we have the in-house skill to create a fibreglass pond using the material and resin. This means, like a liner, we can create any shape or size that we want, unlike buying a preformed product. Fibreglass is a much more durable and stronger alternative to a liner pond. 

Each option has its own strengths, and we’ll help select the one that matches your pond’s purpose, style, and setting.

Step Three: Planting for Beauty & Balance

Planting is where the magic happens – transforming a structural pond into a living, breathing part of the garden. Our pond planting designs look beautiful year-round, are ecologically beneficial, and low-maintenance where possible.

It is important to consider every layer of planting, including:

Oxygenators such as Ceratophyllum demersum and Elodea canadensis work beneath the surface, keeping the water clear and balanced. These form the invisible backbone of the pond’s health.

Marginal plants like Iris pseudacorus, Pontederia cordata, and Carex elata frame the water’s edge, soften hard landscaping, and provide shelter for wildlife. Their vertical accents and seasonal flowers add interest and structure.

Floating plants such as Nymphaea water lilies create a serene surface display, while shading the water to reduce algae. The choice of lily variety allows us to coordinate colours and flowering times with the rest of the garden.

Bog and moisture-loving plants extend the planting scheme beyond the pond, blending it into the surrounding landscape. Plants such as Astilbe and Ligularia thrive here, providing lush foliage and long-lasting blooms.

Every scheme is bespoke – we select plants that suit your pond’s depth, light levels, and style, ensuring they look as though they have always belonged there.

Taking your Pond from Vision to Reality

A pond designed and built with skill becomes a living part of the garden – one that matures gracefully, attracts wildlife, and provides endless enjoyment. At Gardens by Keltie & Clark, we combine design flair, construction expertise, and horticultural knowledge to create ponds that are as enduring as they are beautiful.

Ready to create your perfect garden pond?
Contact Gardens by Keltie & Clark to discuss your ideas – we’ll help to shape the ideal pond design for your garden.

Garden Pond Design & Construction – Frequently Asked Questions

1. 1. How deep should a garden pond be?
      This depends on its purpose. A wildlife pond may be as shallow as 30–60cm to encourage a variety of species, while koi ponds or swimming ponds require deeper water for fish health or safe bathing. We’ll design the depth to suit your specific needs.
   2. How do you keep pond water clean and healthy?
      We combine a layered planting scheme with the right filtration system. Oxygenating plants work below the surface to keep water clear, while marginal and floating plants provide shade and shelter. Pumps and filters are discreetly integrated into the design where required.
   3. Which type of pond liner lasts the longest?
      High-quality EPDM or butyl rubber liners offer excellent flexibility and durability for most designs. For formal ponds or koi ponds, a concrete and render finish provides a robust, permanent solution. We’ll recommend the best option for your style and site conditions.
   4. Can you design, build and plant the pond from start to finish?
      Yes – we offer a complete in-house service, from concept design and groundworks to lining, planting, and finishing details. This ensures every stage is carried out to our exacting standards, with no need for multiple contractors.
   5. Which plants are best for a wildlife pond?
      Native plants such as Iris pseudacorus (yellow flag iris), Mentha aquatica (water mint), and Nymphaea (water lilies) create a balanced habitat. We select species that provide food, shelter, and breeding spaces for a range of birds, insects, and amphibians.
   6. How long does it take to build a garden pond?
      Smaller ponds may be completed within a few weeks, while larger or more complex projects, such as swimming ponds, can take longer. We’ll give you a clear timescale during the planning stage.