As seen on BBC Gardeners World

Pool Construction

Award-Winning Natural Pool Builders

About

Natural Swimming Pool

Engineering your Perfect Pool

At Ellicar, we specialise in the design and construction of beautiful, chemical-free swimming ponds and natural pools that blend seamlessly into their surroundings. Led by one of the UK’s Top 100 Garden Designers, Sarah  Murch, our team includes specialists in excavation, TPO lining, bespoke decking, stonework, filtration and planting, ensuring every element of your pool is built to the highest standard.

With over two decades of hands-on experience and a reputation built on trust, craftsmanship and ecological sensitivity, Ellicar pools are enjoyed by families nationwide, from country estates to rural paddocks, heritage gardens to new builds. We’re based in the Midlands and work across the UK.

Approach

Swimmer

Expertly Crafted Natural Pools, Built Around You

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A Seamless, In-House Construction Experience

Our pool construction process is seamless and personal. From the first dig to the final plant, our team handles every detail in-house. No outsourcing, no compromise.

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Built to Last with Precision Engineering

We build pools to last. Every component, from our bespoke steel edging to our Biotop filtration systems, is engineered for long-term performance. Every Ellicar pool is designed with care, built with precision, and tailored entirely to your landscape and lifestyle.

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Tailored Designs for the Way You Live Outdoors

No two pools are the same. We shape each project around your garden, your lifestyle, and your vision. Whether you want a natural pool to relax beside, swim laps in, or host garden parties around - we'll create a space that transforms how you live outdoors.

Expertise

Expert, award-winning craftsmanship

Your idyllic natural swimming pool is brought to life with our innate knowledge of design, build, materials, plants and landscapes, biological water filtration and Biotop’s world-renowned water balancing technology. Every member of our established team is handpicked for;

Engineering expertise
Technical knowledge & skills
Experienced craftsmanship
Specialist knowledge of plants and water

Accreditation

Accreditation by the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI), Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) and Horticultural Trade Association (HTA) means your pool will be created by a team recognised for meeting the highest landscape industry standards.

British Association Landscaping Industries AccreditedAPL – association of professional landscapers LogoHTA horticultural trade association Logo
Natural Swimming Pool construction team

Process

3

Soft Landscaping

Our soft landscaping team have years of experience between them and an eye for detail. They plant up and finish off your outside space perfectly, leaving you to enjoy your new pool and garden for years to come.

Soft landscaping team

Process

1. Pool Construction

First is the excavation, construction of the reinforced concrete swim zone and subterranean drainage and profiling of the regeneration zones.

Natural pool construction
Natural pool construction - digger
Natural pool construction
Natural pool construction

2. Pool Installation

Next is the specialist installation of the pool lining, pipework, flanges, installation of biological filters and pumps, aggregates, in-pool features, planting, connecting to services and filling of the pool.

Natural Swimming Pool construction team
Natural pool lining
Natural pool piping
Pool planting

3. Soft Landscaping

Our soft landscaping team have years of experience between them and an eye for detail. They plant up and finish off your outside space perfectly, leaving you to enjoy your new pool and garden for years to come.

Sarah Murch - Soft Landscaping
Planting garden
Plants on racks

Timeline

Garden before

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Before

Click through the slides to see how Ellicar transform this open space into an award winning Natural Swimming Pool and Gardens.

Excavator

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Week 1: Excavation

We begin by marking out the pool, setting a datum for water level, and then start excavating the swim zone and installing a subterranean drainage system.

Pool Concrete Construction

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Week 3: Wall Construction

We construct the swim zone with engineered, reinforced concrete walls and a reinforced concrete raft. A smooth finish on the blockwork and raft is important for our lining finish.

Regeneration zone

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Week 5: Regeneration Zone

After backfilling around the swim zone wall, we excavate and profile the regeneration zone and beach and construct the pool edge. We screed the regeneration zone to a smooth finish which allows us to access it for lining.

Pool lining

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Week 6: Pool Lining

We install a thick pond fleece to the swim zone and regeneration zone. Then we water proof the pool with a thick flexible liner which is heat welded together to a tailored finish which allows us to use a pool robot for cleaning when the pool is filled.

Deck construction

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Week 7: Deck Construction

We construct the deck frame over the filter chamber as we are lining the pool, framing around the pool’s biological filters to allow access hatches to be constructed within the deck.

ground works

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Week 8: Ground Preparation

After completion of the pool and construction of the decks and walkways, our landscaping team begins work on the wider garden installing steel edges for borders, constructing paths, installing the retaining sleeper walls and paving the wider garden.

Pool Planting

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Week 11: Garden Planting

Finally our specialist soft landscaping team moves in to prepare the ground and plant up the garden, lay turf, seeding meadows and plant trees.

Pool Soft Landscaping

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Week 12: Pool Planting

After filling the pool we let the clay settle in and absorb water for a couple of weeks then plant up the pool edges with beautiful marginal plants, encapsulating each plant into the softened clay.

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Week 14: Wider Garden

Here you can see the landscaping of the wider garden, our soft landscaping team is laying turf and planting up the top garden.

Wider garden landscaping
Natural Pool and Garden

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Completion

A year on and our clients are enjoying swimming every day, and spending time around the water with their friends and family and marvelling at the incredible wildlife that has come to the garden.

Guarantee

Natural Swimming Pool

Our Quality & Service Guarantee

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Unwavering high standards

We're accredited by the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI), Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) and the Horticultural Trade Association (HTA) which means we're recognised for continuously meeting the highest industry standards.

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Water quality and hygiene

We set the bar high for water quality and hygiene. Utilising world-renowned BIOTOP’s water balancing technology to filter your pool biologically, expect crystal clear water and water hygiene to the German FLL international standard for commercial natural pools.

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Quality assurance and commissioning

At each stage of the construction, your pool will be inspected and signed off for quality assurance. Once completed, we commission your pool over a period of time, returning to check plant establishment and water quality. You'll receive a handover with full training in pool maintenance. Each project is completed with an Operations and Design manual and we’re a phone call away should you have any technical questions.

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Aftercare

Once we hand over your pool we continue to monitor the water, providing help and aftercare.

We record water tests, monitor plant growth, and maintain pool service data so we understand your pool and water ready to provide professional assistance should you need it.

You’ll also receive reminders for things like turning on the carbonators, starting to fertilise your pool and monitoring plant growth during the summer season.

In addition, you pool will be serviced in winter leaving you with a full service report and water analysis. Some clients enjoy a spring service too, to get their pool ready for the swimming season.

Video Series

Creating Your Dream Garden - See the Process Come to Life!

Curious about how we bring dream gardens to life? Follow our YouTube series Creating Your Dream Garden- an inspiring, behind-the-scenes look at the full journey of a garden transformation, complete with a natural swimming pond.

From the first client meeting to design sketches, excavation, construction, filtration, decking, planting and landscaping - you’ll see every stage unfold through our expert eyes.

Watch Series
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Projects

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Make Enquiry

Whether you're dreaming of a natural pool or a full garden transformation, our expert team is here to help. Get in touch today and let’s explore what’s possible for your garden.

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