Natural swimming ponds, designed for effortless enjoyment and total peace of mind
Crystal-clear, safe water engineered for long-term performance
Ponds by Michael Wheat
Immerse yourself in a bespoke natural water swimming pool, designed to sit naturally within its surroundings. Our expert team plans and delivers freshwater swimming ponds using a considered, design-led approach, balancing aesthetics, water quality, and long-term performance.
“Every project follows a structured planning and design process before construction begins”.
Swimming Ponds
Discover how a natural swimming pond can be designed to sit harmoniously within your landscape and lifestyle.
The Ponds by Michael Wheat – Design-Led Approach
From initial enquiry to installation
1.Start your Journey
Enquiry & Initial Planning Conversation
Every project begins with an enquiry.
Once your enquiry is received, we arrange an initial conversation to understand your project, discuss your site, and confirm whether it is a suitable fit.
Suitable projects then progress to a Pond Project Planning Video Call, where we explore the brief in more detail, review similar projects, discuss indicative costs, and walk through how the Design Plan service works.
If we are aligned, the next step is to proceed into the Design Plan.
2. Designing Plan Service
Professional design and cost planning
The Design Plan is a paid, professional service that establishes the technical, spatial, and financial clarity required before any construction decisions are made.
Phase 1: Design Site Survey
Your consultant completes the Design Site Survey, gathering accurate measurements, levels, access information, and the technical data required for detailed design and costing.
Phase 2 : Design Development & Cost Planning
Our team develops the design, prepares the project cost, produces a 2D model visual, and holds a progress meeting to review design development, scope, and investment
Phase 3: Design Reveal Meeting
The completed design, 3D rendered visuals, material selections, and confirmed project cost are presented during the Design Reveal Meeting.
3. Installation
Following the Design Reveal, installation may proceed under a separate agreement.
Upon receipt of a project deposit, technical construction drawings are released to the client for the purpose of external contractors, where required.
Installation is then delivered under the guidance of a dedicated project manager and according to the detailed design plan, in line with the approved design and agreed scope.
See a time-lapse of a project installation >
Your own natural paradise, designed to be lived in
Created for real life, shared moments, and long-term enjoyment
Every pond we create is designed to fit seamlessly into your life. A place to relax, swim, and gather with family and friends, without constant attention or upkeep.
From the outset, our focus is long-term performance. Thoughtfully designed filtration keeps the water crystal clear and safe to swim in, while considered design ensures your pond remains easy to live with year after year.
For those who value complete peace of mind, we offer ongoing care and maintenance options, allowing you to enjoy your pond without concern. And with our long-standing commitment to aftercare, you can be confident your investment is supported well beyond installation.
Verified Google Review
We are so pleased we chose Michael Wheat Swim ponds. The service from first site visit to installation has been exceptional. When we received the concept video we were blown away and I never expected the final product to live up to the video. Installation has taken just 4 weeks, the team, led by Gavin, were so professional and involved us in the process all the time. Our dogs absolutely loved them especially Joel!!!
The service doesn’t stop here, with several site visits planned to make sure everything is up and running as it should be.
If you are looking for a swimpond look no further, you won’t regret it.
Happy swimming 🏊🏊
– Karen
Client Testimonials
Swimming ponds, wildlife ponds, and lakes, as experienced by the people who live with them.
Natural swimming ponds
A swimming pond is more than a place to swim. For our clients, it becomes part of daily life, a place to unwind, to connect with family, and to enjoy the simple pleasure of being in natural water at home.
Each project begins with listening. We take the time to understand how you want to use your pond, how it should feel within your garden, and how it needs to perform long term. The result is a swimming pond designed around real life, not a one size fits all solution.
Why discerning homeowners choose Ponds by Michael Wheat
A calm, considered approach to natural swimming ponds, designed to be enjoyed for decades.
Built on experience. Refined for long-term enjoyment.
Our approach did not begin with swimming ponds.
It began with water quality.
Since 2010, we have designed and built ponds where water clarity, biological balance, and long-term stability were not optional; they were essential.
Working extensively with koi ponds taught us a critical lesson.
Fish are uncompromising. If water quality is even slightly poor, problems appear quickly.
That same discipline now underpins every natural swimming pond we design.
By focusing on clean, stable water through chemical-free filtration, biological systems, and carefully considered circulation, we created ponds that are not only beautiful to look at, but reliable to live with.
The result is a natural swimming pond that feels effortless. Clear water. Minimal intervention.
And confidence that it will continue to perform season after season.
What began as a commitment to creating the perfect environment for the most sensitive living systems has become the foundation of the safest natural swimming ponds we build today.
Designed with safety at the core…
Because clear, healthy water should never be a compromise.
Safety is not an add-on.
It is designed in from the very beginning.
Our approach combines multiple filtration and biological elements, each addressing a specific aspect of water quality. Individually, they have value. Together, they create stable, reliable, swim-safe water.
This integrated system has been independently recognised and discussed by experts in biochemistry and microbiology, who understand that natural water safety is not achieved through a single solution, but through balance and completeness.
For our clients, this means confidence. Confidence that the water is clean. Confidence that it is safe to swim in.
And confidence that it will remain that way without constant intervention.
“Natural swimming ponds only work when every element plays its part. Remove one, and the system becomes unstable.” — Biochemist & Microbiologist, speaking on the Michael Wheat podcast
Where experience meets recognition.
A design-led approach trusted by homeowners and recognised by industry leaders.
Today, our work reflects over a decade of refinement, learning, and real-world experience.
We design and build natural swimming ponds that are made to be lived with, not managed. Each project is carefully considered, technically sound, and shaped around how our clients want to enjoy their space, now and for years to come.
Our approach has been recognised nationally, including being awarded Best Construction Landscaper at BBC Gardeners’ World Live. Not as a one-off show piece, but as a reflection of how we work every day.
From initial design through to installation, our focus remains the same.
Create natural water environments that feel effortless, dependable, and quietly exceptional.
When the time feels right, we’re ready to talk.
Why invest in the best natural pond or best natural pool?
“Make the right decision once, and enjoy it for decades”
Why invest in a professionally designed natural swimming pond?
Because the difference is felt for years, not just on installation day
It’s natural to explore different ways of creating a pond or pool, whether that’s managing a project yourself or involving general contractors.
However, a natural swimming pond is not a conventional build. It’s a finely balanced ecosystem, where design, filtration, water movement, and long-term performance must work together seamlessly.
This is where specialist expertise makes all the difference.
By partnering with an experienced natural swimming pond designer and installer, you gain clarity, confidence, and a result that performs as beautifully as it looks.
Blogs
More expert guidance on swimming ponds, natural pools and ponds
Creating Your Oasis: How to Make a Natural Swimming Pond
Planning Your Natural Swimming Pond
Creating a natural swimming pond can be a refreshing and eco-friendly addition to your garden. Unlike traditional swimming pools, these ponds merge seamlessly with the natural landscape, providing a serene and rejuvenating swimming experience. To ensure your swimming pond is not only beautiful but also functional, it’s essential to plan carefully.
In this section, we’ll walk you through the initial steps of designing and constructing your own natural swimming pond.
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Can You Swim in a Pond: Our Definitive Guide
Dive into nature with a swim pond. It’s a garden gem where wild meets the styled. Swap chlorine for crystal-clear, natural waters.
It’s more than a swim; it’s an adventure in your backyard. Curious?
Let’s dive into the wonders and workings of swim ponds in the sections below. Your natural escape awaits.
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