Our clients in Driffield are keen wild swimmers who wanted a Swimming Pond to weave into their wellness and exercise routines. They approached us to transform their garden into a space that they would love and use daily for rest and relaxation, that would bring wildlife in abundance to their doorstep and would not take a great deal of maintenance.

We transformed a bare paddock at the bottom of the garden into a beautiful, naturalistic retreat. The site’s steep slope posed design challenges, but careful grading of the land allowed us to create a pool that feels as though it has always belonged to the landscape. From the house, a gravel garden alive with pollinator-friendly plants leads the eye - and the visitor - down to the water’s edge, while swathes of grasses and perennials soften the approach.

The 12 x 5 metre swim zone is perfect for exercise or family fun, with space to dive from the deck, swim lengths, or gently wade in via the shallow beach. A surrounding regeneration zone, planted with waterlilies and oxygenating plants, naturally filters the water while creating a biodiverse habitat. Existing garden features, such as a circular paved patio, were retained and reimagined, framed by perennial borders that invite colour and wildlife right up to the seating areas.

The deck is the perfect sun trap and allows our clients to sit and bask in the stunning view of the beautiful countryside, bathed in all-day sunshine. Cleverly designed hatches allow access to the filtration equipment hidden underneath the deck, which is whisper quiet and entirely chemical free.

Sustainability was central to the build. We avoided concrete entirely, instead shaping the pool’s structure directly from the earth, lined with a durable EPDM membrane. In the regeneration zone, we used lab-tested clay to form a natural substrate for aquatic planting. Native and fruiting trees provide natural windbreaks, while wildflower meadows encircle the pool, with mown paths weaving through jewel-like flowers.

The result is a garden that is both low-maintenance and deeply connected to its rural setting - a tranquil place to swim, relax, and enjoy the ever-changing views of the surrounding countryside.