How We Build Natural Swimming Pools for Small Gardens

People are often surprised when we tell them that small gardens are some of the best candidates for natural pools. The secret lies in smart design, advanced technology and flexible construction techniques.

Here’s how we do it.

1. Biotop Filtration: More Swim Zone, Less Space Required

Traditional natural pools rely on a 50/50 ratio:
half swimming zone, half planted regeneration zone.

But our Biotop filtration technology changes everything.

Instead of large visible plant areas doing the filtration, the main filtration happens inside compact bio-units discreetly hidden under decking.

This means:

• A larger swim zone even in a small garden
• A smaller planted zone for a streamlined, modern look
• No above-ground plant rooms taking up precious space
• Whisper-quiet operation
• Extremely low energy usage (around the cost of one light bulb per day)

For small gardens, this is revolutionary.

2. Reinforced Concrete Construction Allows Any Shape or Size

We build all our natural pools in reinforced concrete, which means:

• Any shape
• Any size
• Any depth
• Any style

This flexibility is what makes a natural swimming pool for small gardens truly possible. We tailor the design precisely to the space instead of squeezing a standard shape into a tight footprint.

The Thirsk Natural Pool — compact, elegant and beautifully proportioned — is a perfect example.

3. Easy Maintenance With a Pool Robot

Contrary to what many people imagine, natural pools don’t require endless manual cleaning. In fact, maintenance is simple.

A pool robot keeps the swimming zone clean with minimal effort. There’s no chemical balancing, no chlorine handling, and no complicated plant-care routines. Just natural, clear water maintained by intelligent filtration.

Award-Winning Craftsmanship: BALI National Landscape Awards 2025

We are proud that the Thirsk Natural Pool & Garden has been recognised at the BALI National Landscape Awards 2025 — the largest landscaping awards event in Europe.

The project won in the category:
Domestic Garden Construction – £250k to £750k

For our small, hardworking team at Ellicar, it was a moment of real celebration. We enjoyed a rare day away from our tools and screens to gather together and appreciate the achievement. Being recognised for both craftsmanship and design was a wonderful reward for the dedication, care and passion that went into this garden.

This award win also highlights something important:
Small gardens can create big impact — and small pools can be truly exceptional.

Before: A Long, Narrow Garden With No Identity

Before we began, the Thirsk garden was essentially a blank rectangle:
a long, narrow lawn that looked green enough from a distance, but offered very little else.

• No spaces for lounging or socialising
• No planting for pollinators
• No focal points or seasonal interest
• No outdoor-living areas
• No sense of journey or structure
• Nowhere to relax, dine, cook, or enjoy the space
• No biodiversity to bring the garden to life

It was a typical problem: a large lawn looks “easy,” but in reality, it can be the most limiting type of garden. Everything felt the same flat, static, and underused.

The brief was clear:
Create a beautiful, welcoming garden retreat with a small natural pool at its heart.
A space for wellness, outdoor living, and year-round enjoyment.

After: A Natural Plunge Pool at the Heart of a Garden Sanctuary

The transformation couldn’t be more dramatic.

By reimagining how the space flowed, combining expert planting with practical outdoor-living zones, and designing a compact natural swimming pool that fitted the proportions of the garden, we created a holistic sanctuary full of life, beauty and function.

Here’s what the garden now includes:

A Natural Plunge Pool Designed for Small Gardens

The star of the redesign is a natural plunge pool, perfectly proportioned for the narrow space. With crystal-clear, chemical-free water and crisp lines of reinforced concrete construction, it delivers the aesthetic of a modern pool with the ecology of a living water garden.

The pool’s size — just 5m x 2.5m — proves that you don’t need a sprawling estate to enjoy the pleasures of outdoor swimming. In fact, when proportioned well, a small natural pool brings a sense of intimacy and calm that large pools often lack.

A Biodiverse, Perennial-Rich Planting Scheme

What was once a single monotone lawn is now a garden brimming with perennial flowers, grasses and aquatic species chosen specifically to attract pollinators and wildlife.

Bees, butterflies, hoverflies and dragonflies now thrive where there was once nothing, turning the garden into a living ecosystem rather than a static space.

A Health & Wellness Area With Sauna

Next to the pool sits a dedicated wellness zone — complete with sauna for contrast therapy. This creates a private spa-like retreat right in the clients’ back garden, offering year-round wellbeing and cold-water benefits.

Outdoor Living: Dining, Lounging, Cooking

Purpose-designed zones now give the family ways to enjoy the garden every day:

• A sheltered dining area
• Relaxed poolside seating
• Lounging decks
• An outdoor kitchen for summer cooking
• Adjacent vegetable beds for home-grown produce

An Oval Lawn With Fruit Trees and Meadow Edges

To soften the rectilinear layout, we designed an elegant oval lawn, fringed with fruit trees and wildflower meadows. This breaks up the narrow feel, adds beauty and movement, and gives the garden a sense of natural rhythm.

The result is a space that finally feels alive, inviting, and full of personality.

Why a Natural Swimming Pool Is Perfect for a Small Garden

A natural plunge pool or compact swimming pond brings atmosphere, beauty and function in ways that a lawn simply never can.

Here’s why small gardens and natural pools are a perfect match:

✓ They create a dramatic focal point

Even a small pool transforms the entire atmosphere.

✓ They make outdoor living more meaningful

Swimming, lounging, dining, cooking — all become part of daily life.

✓ They boost biodiversity

Water brings wildlife. Planting supports ecosystems. The whole garden comes alive.

✓ They offer year-round beauty

Even in winter, the reflective water adds calm and structure.

✓ They’re designed to fit the space — not the other way around

With flexible construction and compact filtration, there is no “minimum garden size.”

FAQ: Natural Swimming Pools for Small Gardens

How big can a natural swimming pool be?

Natural pools can be any size, from compact plunge pools to large swimming ponds. With Biotop filtration, even very small gardens can accommodate a chemical-free pool with a generous swim area.

Do natural pools need a huge planted regeneration zone?

Not with modern filtration. Our hidden bio-filtration units reduce the need for large visible planted areas, allowing more space for swimming and outdoor living.

Are natural plunge pools suitable for year-round use?

Absolutely. Many clients combine them with saunas or hot tubs for cold-water therapy in winter.

Does a natural pool require a lot of maintenance?

No — a pool robot takes care of most routine cleaning. The filtration system is automatic, silent and extremely energy-efficient.

Will a natural pool attract wildlife?

Yes, small natural pools are brilliant for biodiversity. Expect dragonflies, birds and pollinators to enjoy the space safely.

How much space do I need?

Much less than you think. We’ve designed natural pools for gardens many people would consider “too small” — often with better results than in large spaces.

Ready to Transform Your Garden?

Whether you’re dreaming of a natural plunge pool, a compact swimming pond, or a full redesign like our award-winning Thirsk project, we’d love to help you explore what’s possible.

→ Book a consultation to begin your own garden transformation
Let’s turn your space into a garden you’ll love living in.

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