Updated on January 6th, 2025 Posted In: Garden Trends & Design
Author: Alexandra Campbell

11 ideas from the best garden ponds I’ve seen

Here are 30+ beautiful garden ponds from gardens I’ve visited recently. They’re divided into 11 garden pond styles.

A garden pond is more than just ornamental – it’s key to sustaining wildlife. Garden birds, pollinating insects and other creatures need water to survive. And in our paved-over cities and towns, that water is often in short supply.

This pond looks natural, but the garden owner dug it herself. She then lined it with pond liner and used the stones around the edges to conceal the black plastic edges. Large rocks and stones can be expensive, but it’s worth checking out online auction and exchange sites to see if people are clearing them out of their gardens.

Garden ponds can also be a place for you to reflect and relax. There’s something very soothing about water.

Some of these ideas are for new ponds, but others can give you inspiration for your current garden pond.

Some people create ponds as ‘water gardens’.  The advice and inspiration here applies equally, whether you’re planning a ‘water garden’ or a ‘garden pond.’

Water gardens are deliberately planned as a balanced water-based ecosystem that revolves around the water plants. A pond can be any kind of water feature in a garden.

From ‘natural’ to ‘formal’ – this pond built into a pergola at West Dean Gardens has a stunning classical feel.

If you’d rather watch a video than read a post you can find garden ponds here on YouTube.

‘Natural’ DIY garden ponds

I’m starting with the easiest, low-tech garden pond. These ponds are literally just holes dug in the ground, lined with heavy-duty pond lining plastic (held in place by rocks) and filled with water.

I’ve looked up pond lining plastic. The best-reviewed and best-selling one on Amazon came from PondHero – 2mx2m for £9.99, so not expensive.

Note: links to Amazon are affiliate links, which means I may get a small fee if you buy, but it won’t affect the price you pay.

You can do the digging yourself or pay (or persuade) someone else to do it.

To stop the pond liner plastic from slipping, the Wildlife Trusts recommend digging a small trench around the edge of the pond. Drop the edges of the pond liner into it. Weight it down with stones and cut any extra away. This will also hide the edges of the pond plastic.

The advantage of this kind of pond is that you can build levels into the pond. Many small creatures can’t get out of a high-sided pond, and pond plants grow at different depths. So whether you have a big or small pond, try to create levels inside and outside.

The natural-style pond in summer. It’s approximately 6ft in diameter and is in a half acre garden.

You can also get hard pond liners, with graded levels, to create the same effect. Cover the edges of the pond liner with rocks or planting. These are called ‘pre-formed rigid pond liners’ and the most popular one I could find was the Bermuda Cover pre-formed pond liner.

The disadvantage of this kind of a pond is that you may not be able to create the pond that fits exactly in the space you have available. Its size and shape will be pre-determined.

And these rigid pre-formed liners are generally for smaller ponds. Some are not quite deep enough, so you have to be careful that a small pond doesn’t dry out in hot weather.

You can have a ‘natural’ looking pond even in a small garden as with this tiny pond in one of the show gardens at RHS Chelsea Flower Show. You would need think about this garden pond depth – although the sides should slope up, try to have at least one part that is deeper than 15″/38cm.

This natural looking pond takes up around one third of a small town garden. It is filled by the rainwater from the roof. The guttering was diverted into the pond and there is an overflow ‘bog garden’. Find out more about this small wildlife friendly garden in town here. Try to avoid filling ponds with tap water. Collect rainwater by letting the ponds fill naturally or allow the tap water to stand for 24 hours before filling the pond. It allows some chemicals to evaporate.

How deep should a garden pond be?

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) says that any garden pond depth should be at least 15″/38cm deep. It needs this much water to prevent it from over-heating or drying out in summer or freezing solid in winter.

Some of the designs here are not as deep as 15″/38cm. But they can still be a valuable source of water for wildlife. Consider them as ‘birdbaths’ rather than ponds.

Even a shallow dish with water helps birds, butterflies and bees. The rocks are particularly useful as butterflies and bees can perch on them to drink without their wings getting wet.

Stone or brick garden ponds

If you want a more designed effect, then stone or brick garden ponds will (probably) need to be professionally built.

But they look smart, and will fit into any size of garden.

Think about other landscaping materials in your garden when you’re designing it. Or use brick, stone etc that marries up with your house.

This simple rectangular pond in Robin and Margaret Marks’ garden is built of the same granite that the house is built of. The gravel chippings around it are also local granite. You can see more of their beautiful garden in 7 garden design ideas from four private gardens.

This small stone pond with a fossil sculpture is in a tiny backyard to the side of a house. There is just room for a bench, the pond and a path with some planting round the pond.

Raised garden ponds

One of the main issues you need to think about when planning a pond is whether babies or toddlers could fall in. A child can drown in a few inches of water.

This small raised pond tucks in beside the back door. It belongs to garden designer Posy Gentles. She grows aquatic plants in it. Posy also has a grille on top to stop small creatures falling in.

A raised garden pond isn’t 100% safe, but it is probably safer.

This raised pond from the RHS Hampton Court Palace show is the central feature of a small garden. You could perch on its edge, or leave your coffee mug there. In a raised pond like this, place rocks, bricks etc under the water to create ‘levels’ so that amphibians and wildlife can get out.

This stone raised bed pond has classical symmetry and adds a design element to a garden path.

Raised garden ponds are also particularly good in smaller gardens, as they introduce different levels to the design, and can fit into small spaces.

The two corten steel raised bed garden ponds in the top photo are in a BBC Gardeners World Live show garden designed by Dan Hartley. The photo above shows raised beds used for flowers and a pond to demonstrate the skills and flexibility of the Association of Professional Landscapers.

Classical garden ponds

I love classical garden ponds, like this one below at Doddington Place Gardens.

It’s a good idea to have steps at one end. You probably won’t be able to see the steps as they will be underwater, but it’s the best way to help amphibians and other wildlife to get in and out of the pond.

The strong clean lines of a classical pond look good in winter when they reflect the yew hedging at Doddington Place Gardens

The top garden has a small square pond with a classical urn fountain the centre. It shows how well a symmetrical pond can work in a small garden (see ideas from 5 country village gardens.) The pond above is in a larger garden. It breaks up an expanse of lawn and creates a focal point. Both fountains keep the water moving, which helps oxygenate it and prevent mosquitoes breeding. You can also see a ‘beach’ on the left so that insects can drink perched on stones and wildlife can go in and out of the pond.

‘Charleston gardens’ is a US style of formal garden. These two show gardens at Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival show two different central water features in a geometric patio or paved area.

Contemporary ponds

This pond area is in a show garden designed by Chris Beardshaw for RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Chris Beardshow’s ‘Best in Show Garden’ at RHS Chelsea for M&G Investments. It’s a beautiful use of sculpture and colour, and might be worth considering for a town garden as the water goes right up to the ‘garden walls.’ Definitely not safe for children.

I am not sure how easy the pond above would be to maintain, as the pond goes right up to the garden wall, without an edge on two sides. But it’s an interesting idea and a lovely use of colour.

Contemporary garden ponds designed by Gardenclub London (top) and Sarah Eberle (above).  The Gardenclub London pond has a ‘beach’ and the Medlite sculpture in the Sarah Eberle pond would allow the larvae of dragonflies and damselflies to emerge, as well as offering a way out of the pond for other creatures.

Another contemporary pond design – this pond is in the Health & Wellbeing Garden at the RHS Hampton Court Palace show. It’s exceptionally shallow and its cobbled base reflects the path around it. Very pretty but you would need to top up the water in hot weather.

Exotic garden ponds

With today’s trend towards ‘exotic’ gardens, even in temperate climates, ponds can look jungly.

Use a mix of large-leaf foliage plants and other hardy plants, such as bamboo, to create a tropical effect. Let it get a bit overgrown for that wild, jungly look.

This jungly pond is also at Ard Rudah – it’s beautifully overgrown with ferns, tree ferns and waterlilies.

Maybe it’s cheating to show you one of the ponds at the Oxford Botanic Gardens. It’s in a glasshouse – but why not consider a small pond in your greenhouse or conservatory if you have one? Surround it with colourful plants for a tropical look.

Should I have fish in my garden pond?

As with most gardening issues, this is really a matter of personal preference.

However, if you want to maximise the wildlife value of a pond, don’t keep fish in it. They will eat the larvae of some insects and you won’t get so many frogs either, because they’ll eat the frogspawn.

On the other hand, keeping fish in a pond means that they will eat the mosquito larvae so it can be part of your defence against mosquitoes.

However, even a pond with fish in it gives wildlife water to drink. Some people have two ponds – one for wildlife and one for fish.

Mini ponds

I have a couple of mini ponds in my garden.

I made one from an oak barrel half.

Find out how to make this mini pond in an oak barrel here.

Mini ponds can fit in any garden, and are wonderful for wildlife, but you do have to consider a few factors. It’s important that wildlife can get in and out, for example, and they can also dry out in hot weather.

This mini pond was made from a feeding trough. Jane Beedle was given the feeding trough by a farming friend, but you can source them on agricultural company websites. See how to create a beautiful container pond.

Add sculpture to your garden pond

Ponds and sculpture are a magical combination.

This sculpture overlooks one of the ponds at Borde Hill Gardens in Sussex.

This sculpture fills with water, then the weight of the water tips the dish over, and the process starts again. At Borde Hill Gardens in Sussex. It’s very peaceful!

This stag sculpture sets off a pond at Ard Rudah, echoing the conifers around the pond.

Sculpture beside Diane and Robbie Perry’s pond. See how they place their other sculpture and garden ornaments here.

Find inspiration for garden sculpture here.

Make sure you have somewhere to sit near your pond

This is from Viking Cruises’ Nordic Lifestyle garden at RHS Hampton Court Palace show.

A Lutyens bench beside a pretty pond in Northern France.

This stone bench is set into a wall beside the Barn Garden pond at Great Dixter. It’s a lovely place to sit and watch the wildlife using the pond.

And add pots around the edge

Pots around one of the ponds at Borde Hill Gardens in Sussex.

Can you plan in reflections?

I don’t know whether you can plan your garden pond to make sure that it has amazing reflections on a sunny day. But it’s certainly worth thinking about!

A private garden in Kent – it was once a barn and this was the farm pond. It’s stunningly beautiful on a sunny day.

Trees reflecting into a pond in a private garden in Kent.

The Marks’ garden pond reflecting the sky and clouds above.

This contemporary statue is reflected in the water of a small pond at RHS Wisley.

Does your pond need a pump?

You don’t necessarily need a pump for your pond, but you do need to keep it well oxygenated. Buy oxygenating pond plants from Amazon or local garden centres.  I also have aquatic snails, which a friend gave me, which help keep my mini pond clean.

Some gardeners say that aquatic snails munch water plants as well as decaying vegetation. I have a water iris and some equisetum, which have not been nibbled by the snails.

If you’re trying to reduce the chance of mosquitoes, then a pump will help. It keeps the water circulating and mosquitoes breed in still water.

But pumps can and do go wrong, so be prepared for a certain amount of maintenance.

What plants should I add to my pond?

Most garden centres have an aquatic plants area. You can often buy starter packs of plants in baskets, such as these packs from Lincolnshire Pond Plants. This company also does specialist packs of plants to attract specific wildlife, such as their Frog pack.

You just drop or place the plants, still in their baskets, into the pond.

The most important plants are the oxygenating plants. These are almost like freshwater seaweed. You buy a pack of oxygenating plants, usually tied together with a small weight. Once again, you just drop them in. They help keep the water oxygenated and healthy, which helps prevent algae.

You also need plants that stick up out of the water for emerging larvae, floating plants that bees and butterflies can use as ‘drinking platforms’ and flowering plants. Aquatic centres will often sell a trio with one of each.

A perfect balance of pond plants from Lincolnshire Pond Plants: flowering plants on the ‘margins’, straight stems sticking out of the water and water lily leaves as ‘landing pads.’

You should be able to calculate how many plants you need by asking for advice at the aquatic centre. There will also be advice from companies selling pond plants online. Note that you need to use aquatic compost and not ordinary soil or compost in ponds.

Check how big the plants will grow before buying them. I once bought a water lily for a friend’s mini pond. When she looked at the label, it said ‘grows to a span of 40ft wide!’

It’s also important not to buy any invasive water plants. These will be different in each country, so once again ask for advice, then check the advice!

What wildlife can I attract to my pond?

Many people ask what wildlife they can put in their pond.

But most experts say ‘build it and they will come.’ It is amazing to see how wildlife finds water when it is made available.

You shouldn’t transfer frogspawn or other wildlife from one pond to another because you could be transferring diseases.

However, some people do re-home water snails and frogspawn if they feel confident that their pond is free from problems.

The best way to ensure a wide range of wildlife is to make sure that you have a ‘beach’ or different levels, so that it’s easy to get in and out, however tiny the creature. A good range of appropriate aquatic plants will also help.

Consult local wildlife trusts when making your pond. There are usually national umbrella organisations such as The Wildlife Trusts in the UK, The National Wildlife Federation in the USA, Wildlife Preservation in Canada, the Australian Wildlife Conservancy and others.

The national organisations often have local wildlife trusts or programmes – and when it comes to wildlife, the more local you can go, the better!

Other design aspects of your garden

Other important design elements in your garden include your garden steps, paths and seating areas.

For example, your garden steps need to have different proportions from the stairs in a house. Find out why along with other things you need to know about garden steps here.

Paths are not just practical. They also shape the design of a garden. Find out which path or paver material would be right for you in Garden paths – the good, the bad and the beautiful.

And seating areas are where you will enjoy your garden. See 10 practical and beautiful outdoor seating ideas here. Or choose from 30 inspiring examples of garden seating here.

Shop my favourite garden tools, books and products

I’m often asked for recommendations, so I’ve put together convenient lists of garden tools, books and products on The Middlesized Garden Amazon store. They’re all products I either use myself or which come highly recommended by others.

For example, one list is the Wildlife Friendly list, with bird feeders, bat boxes, hedgehog homes and more.

Pin to remember garden pond ideas

I hope you’ve enjoyed these garden ponds, and do join us. See here for a free weekly email with tips, ideas and inspiration for your garden from the Middlesized Garden. And the Middlesized Garden YouTube channel also uploads weekly.