About the Project

This project began as a straightforward pond restoration. The existing pond had failed and become more of a muddy pit than a usable garden feature, so the original brief was to rebuild it properly and bring it back to life.

During the build, the client asked whether the pond could also be used for a swim or dip during the warmer months. That changed the direction of the project.

While this was not designed as a true swimming pond from the outset, MNB Designs adapted the build to make seasonal recreational use more practical. The result was a large garden pond with stronger filtration, safer access and enough depth and circulation to support occasional use in warmer weather.

What We Did

MNB Designs rebuilt the failed pond and adapted the design before the liner was installed, allowing several important changes to be made at the right stage of the project.

The pond was created at around 4 feet deep, with plants kept in side bays to leave the main body of water clearer and easier to use. A large filtration system was added to cope with the extra demands placed on the water, including salts, natural oils and other additions that come with human use.

Because the pond had not originally been designed as a swimming pond, there was no bottom drain. To work around this, the base was sloped and a powerful pump system was installed to create strong water movement and improve circulation.

Access was also considered. Non-slip matting was added at one end of the pond, along with a floating rope to help with entry and exit.

Adapting A Pond For Seasonal Use

Any large enough pond can look tempting on a warm day, but using one recreationally requires more thought than simply making it deep enough.

Filtration, plant placement, water movement and access all matter. In this case, MNB Designs used experience from natural swimming pond principles to improve the pond’s suitability for seasonal dipping, while keeping the project honest as a garden pond rather than a purpose-built swimming pond.

The black liner also helped the water warm naturally, with temperatures reaching around 18 to 20 degrees in early spring during favourable conditions. This extended the period in which the pond could be enjoyed.

MNB Designs has continued to return annually to maintain the pond and check water quality. Almost ten years later, the client has continued to use and enjoy the pond each year.

Challenges

A failed pond needed rebuilding, then the brief changed to include seasonal dipping part-way through the project.

Existing pond had failed and needed a full rebuild

Recreational use was requested after work had started

No bottom drain could be added at that stage

Water quality needed stronger filtration and circulation

Plants had to be kept clear of the main dipping area

Solutions

The design was adapted before lining, with stronger filtration, clearer access and improved water movement built in.

Rebuilt the pond with around 4ft of depth

Kept aquatic planting within side bays

Installed a large filtration and pump system

Sloped the pond base to improve circulation

Added non-slip matting and a floating access rope

The Results

What started as a pond restoration became a more versatile garden feature, adapted for seasonal use while still functioning as a natural pond.

The client has used the pond every year since the project was completed, with MNB Designs continuing to support the space through annual maintenance and water quality checks. The pond is now being returned more fully to a traditional garden pond, with fish being introduced again.