About the Project

This large pond creation in Hill brow began with a wonderfully simple brief: “just add water”.

Set within a well-planted estate garden near Liss and Petersfield, the client wanted a new body of water that would sit naturally within the landscape. The only fixed requirements were a jetty or pontoon, plenty of water lilies and a pond that would make a real visual impact.

The site itself added to the character of the project. Highfield Hollies was once home to the National Holly Collection and includes a distinctive monkey puzzle tree and gravel garden, known locally as a visible marker from the air. The new pond needed to feel worthy of such a distinctive setting.

What We Did

MNB Designs created a circular pond measuring approximately 10 metres across and almost 6 feet deep. The position was carefully chosen to suit the slope of the garden and to provide the stability needed for a large body of water.

The pond was edged in York stone, with a strong concrete ring and reinforced footing designed to cope with the sandy ground conditions. Below three feet, the site was almost entirely green sand, so the engineering of the pond was just as important as the final appearance.

Material from the dig was reused to help level the far edge, creating a more balanced finish within the sloped site. A small selection of stones found on site were also worked into the approach to the jetty.

The pond was planted with a wide range of water lilies, with more than 20 varieties added so far. The foot-dipping pontoon was finished with a handrail made from bamboo cut from the client’s own garden, giving the project a personal detail that belongs completely to the site.

Creating A Large Pond On Sandy Ground

This project required careful preparation because the pond was built on highly sandy soil. With very little stone found during the excavation, the ground needed a properly engineered solution to support the pond structure long term.

The concrete ring and footing were designed to give the pond a strong, stable edge, while the York stone helped create a refined finish that suited the wider garden.

Despite the technical challenge, the project came together smoothly. The result is a generous, natural-looking pond that brings water, reflection, wildlife interest and seasonal colour into an already beautiful garden.

Challenges & Solutions

Challenges

Building a large pond on a sloped estate garden with sandy ground required careful positioning and structural planning.

Creating a large circular pond on a sloped estate garden

Building on highly sandy ground with very little natural stone

Making the pond visible and impressive within a distinctive landscape

Adding a foot-dipping jetty without making it feel out of place

Incorporating a wide range of water lilies into the design

Solutions

We created a stable circular pond with reinforced edging, York stone detailing, lilies and a bamboo handrail.

Chose the most suitable position to support a 10 metre pond

Built a strong concrete ring and footing for long-term stability

Reused excavated material to help level the far edge

Finished the pond with York stone for a natural, refined edge

Created a bamboo handrail from material cut on site

Added more than 20 lily varieties for colour, texture and seasonal interest

Challenges & Solutions

A well-planted estate garden now has the one thing the client felt it was missing: water.

The finished pond brings scale, reflection and calm into the landscape, while the foot-dipping jetty creates a simple place to pause and enjoy the view. With York stone edging, carefully chosen lilies and personal details from the garden itself, the pond feels settled into its setting rather than added as an afterthought.