Welcome to our latest newsletter!

This month we will feature a 2-tier pond, built in Hertfordshire this summer, as well as updating you with our latest news.

One pond leads to another

Wendy Bathurst already had a wildlife pond in her garden and contacted us in June this year, with the idea of either turning it into a swimming pond or somehow having a swimming pond linked to it.

"I don’t like chemicals. I have swum in rivers often enough before and never worried about the quality of the water. I first heard about swimming ponds at Hampton Court Flower Show and I started collecting bits and pieces about them.  gartenART was in one of the weekend supplements and I so loved the picture I went online to find out more."

		After our initial conversations on the phone, the first main step is always to carry out a design consultation on site. "We met Ralf and the decision went from there. We talked, looked round the garden together and we knew pretty much immediately that we were on the same wavelength – we didn’t want to look anywhere else."
On-site Design Consultation, June 2007
		Following the on-site design consultation, the second stage is to carry out the design, which consists of a 2D concept plan, a 3D model, and detailed construction documents. "I give gartenART huge credit for seeing the potential. They suggested building a new pond behind the existing one, using the natural lie of the land, and adding a rock bank so that the water cascades from one to the other."
2D concept design, July 2007
		We also produce the 3D model which gives a very good sense of what the swimming pond will look like in reality, with perspectives from different angles as if you are walking (or even flying) around. The model is also a valuable tool when discussing details of the design and the site with you, and also for the construction team during their work.
3D design, July 2007
		We started construction in August: "I can’t speak too highly of Ralf. I thought his boys did an excellent job. I felt immediately that they understood where we were coming from and saw exactly what was needed and how the site could be transformed, right down to small details. Their team was so polite and nice, so helpful, always going the extra mile."
Under construction, August 2007
		We completed the work in September: "It is my absolute pride and joy. I can see it from my bedroom window and I find I can’t stop looking at it. I have a swimming place and a garden feature without any of the drawbacks of a pool – no ugly covers or concrete. It is so much more than a pool area could be – a place for wildlife and beautiful insects, like Emperor dragonflies; a place to work and just think about things."
November 2007
		"I swam on the last day of summer – a lovely Sunday at the end of September – and it was a magical experience. The depth is just right: I can stand and there is the lovely feeling of silver sand between my toes. gartenART have worked with the contours so that the pond is cut into a hollow. There I was, not 50 yards from a busy public footpath, and I could swim in total privacy, secluded and enclosed."
November 2007
		"Everyone’s kept on at us – you know, friends and neighbours – ‘Is it finished? Is it ready? Can I come round?’ I’m so proud of it I think I will give a talk to our W.I.  I tell you I’m absolutely delighted."
November 2007

Please see our gallery for more photos of this and other swimming ponds, and you can also read more customer testimonials of other swimming ponds we have built.

Other news

As well as building build swimming ponds in the UK, we are also expanding our area of work to mainland Europe with current or imminent projects in Greece, France and Spain. 

We are currently taking bookings up to April 2008, and if you are interested in having your swimming pond ready to swim in for next summer please contact us as soon as possible.  For more information on how our design and construction process works please click here.

Whatever your timetable, if you would like us to come out for a design consultation, or if you have any questions about having a natural swimming pond in your garden, please call us on 020 7183 3333 or email tim@gartenart.co.uk.

With best wishes

Tim Evans
Ralf Schmiel