Our clients in North Yorkshire wanted to reimagine their long, narrow garden — turning it into a natural retreat that felt expansive, restorative, and full of life. At the heart of their vision was a chemical-free swimming pool, seamlessly integrated into a garden designed for wellness and outdoor living.

We created a natural plunge pool that fits perfectly within the footprint of the space, with a compact swim zone of 2.5m x 5m, proving that you don’t need a huge garden to enjoy the benefits of a natural pool. A curved regeneration zone leads to a gently shelving beach, which incorporates a gently bubbling water boulder with subtle lighting to enjoy both day and night. A sun-deck creates the perfect place to lounge, and a sauna has been incorporated to make the most of an otherwise awkward corner, for a full wellness experience. A patio that mirrors the pools’ curves provides the ultimate outdoor dining area.

Flowing curves in gravel pathways and planting beds soften the garden’s linear layout, creating the illusion of space and harmony. A rich planting scheme combines wildflower meadow, herbaceous borders, gravel planting and edible beds, offering colour, texture and wildlife value throughout the seasons.

An outdoor kitchen framed with reclaimed sleeper beds sits at the far end of the garden, making the most of long views back across the pool and through the planting. Natural stone paving and timber decking define spaces for relaxation and entertaining, while blending beautifully with the cottage garden style.

The project wasn’t without challenges: restricted access and persistent waterlogging during one of the wettest winters in years meant that we had to dewater the site throughout construction. Over seven months, we carefully carried out drainage, pool installation, filtration, and planting, before completing the hard and soft landscaping.

The result is a space that feels both generous and intimate — a garden retreat where our clients can swim daily, grow food, and unwind in surroundings that feel “like being on holiday all the time, or at a gorgeous spa.” Today, the garden is already alive with wildlife, proving that even in smaller plots, a natural pool can transform everyday life.