Great Garden Design

SWIMMING AND BATHING facilities add shimmering features to a design, and heighten the enjoyment of a garden, providing space for exercise and relaxation.

Swimming in your own pool offers unrivalled opportunities for exercise, relaxation, therapy and, most of all, fun. But they can be expensive to install and run, so take time to plan a pool and consider the cost and time of the maintenance required before you buy.

Swimming pools in the UK are generally considered ‘permitted development’ if not positioned beyond the principle elevation fronting a highway, such as a front garden, but it’s worth checking that your proposals meet local regulations just in case. Particularly in temperate areas, pools are best sited in a sunny, sheltered spot, shielded for privacy by hedges or fences.

There are many styles on offer, ranging from formal geometric pools to free-form and naturalistic shapes. Pools can be raised from the ground or partially or completely sunken. Or you can choose an infinity pool (where the water surface seems to flow out seamlessly into the landscape, usually from a dramatic vantage point) or brimming pools. This style will require additional balancing tanks and pumps to maintain the effect.

Pools can be heated to extend usage, especially valuable in cooler areas, but will need covering when not in use and in winter. If the pool is some distance from the house, a changing room may also be needed. This could form an extension to a glazed summerhouse, ideal for relaxing in on cooler days, and for providing shade from hot sun. A garden building next to a pool also offers the perfect venue for parties and other social occasions.

Prices are influenced by the pool style and specifications, construction materials, which include concrete, fibreglass or vinyl, location, access to the site, and underlying ground conditions. Your supplier will advise you on the costs.

“Heat exchange pumps are energy- and cost-effective pool heaters, and consider an electronic dosage system, which accurately monitors and adjusts the chemicals in the water, avoiding unnecessary treatments.”

JAMES BASSON OF SCAPE DESIGN

NATURAL SWIMMING POOLS

Natural pools marry the lifestyle attractions of a traditional swimming pool with the environmental attributes of a natural pond, with aquatic plants and wildlife forming an integral part of the system. Rather than using chemical purifiers, water in natural pools is pumped through biological filters and plant roots in an area known as a ‘regeneration zone’, which keep the water clean, clear and pure enough for bathing. The plants grow in a walled bed, the top of which is 20cm (8in) below the water level. Some natural pools can be heated, depending on the size and technical design, and the surface area available for swimming can be anywhere between 20 to 75 per cent. In small gardens, you could opt for a chlorine-free, unplanted pool, sometimes referred to as a ‘living’ pool. This uses a system of biological filters, and 100 per cent of the surface area is available for swimming.

A natural pool generally costs as much as a conventional pool to build but, when properly installed in the right location, avoiding trees and shade, the maintenance and running costs are lower. You can also convert a conventional pool into a natural one; existing ponds may also be converted, but you will need to get them evaluated for suitability.

Before committing to a natural pool, investigate manufacturers and suppliers, the range of products on offer, and the various technologies available, as well as guarantees and after-sales service. Also ask to look at mature examples of suppliers’ work.

This natural pool, in a garden designed by Wilson McWilliam, provides a chlorine-free swimming experience.

•	Balance what you need the pool for with how often it will be used and by whom.
•	Shop around for solutions that best meet your needs, and which are appropriate for your site.
•	Include all the elements that will make using the pool as comfortable as possible, such as changing facilities, sun terrace and lighting for evening use.
•	Consider the additional costs of upkeep and maintaining the pool to high standards of cleanliness.
•	Ensure adequate provisions for the safe use of the facility by all age groups and users.
•	Employ contractors with expertise in pool construction to build the pool and surrounding landscaping.

•	Calculate who is to use the pool, the nature of the activities required and amount of use it will receive.
•	If the pool will be temporarily installed for summer use, ensure you have adequate facilities to store it in winter.
•	Consider whether it is best sunk into, partially raised or free standing above the ground.
•	Determine whether the pool will be on show or shrouded from view with appropriate landscaping and plants, which will need to be planned into the build.
•	Assess the maintenance and running costs of the pool.
•	Purchase products from a reputable company that offers guarantees and after-sales service.

•	Appraise the size and design of various units for one that best suits your purpose and style of garden.
•	Decide where it would be best located to work in concert with other features and your garden setting.
•	Determine whether it should be free standing or sunk into decking or a patio.
•	Evaluate the time involved and cost of running and maintaining the unit to requisite standards of health and safety – a hot tub can be a health hazard if the unit and water are not clean.
•	Consider a roofed or covered structure to extend its use.
•	Always buy from reputable companies that provide a guarantee or warranty and after-sales service.