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8th April 2024Water is an elemental life force that brings animation and interest to a garden. It can be lively or tranquil; inspiring or calming. It appeals to our senses in so many ways, from the ever-changing colours as the light plays over the surface, to the gentle ripple of flowing water and the blooming of water lilies in the summer.
Garden ponds are not just an ornamental feature though: they can be an invaluable resource for wildlife. A body of still water, however small, will attract wildlife such as amphibians, insects, and birds, particularly if it is well-stocked with a good mixture of pond plants.
Unfortunately, the number of ponds in the UK has been in steady decline for over a century due to changing land use and development. This is having an adverse effect on the biodiversity of the UK, with declining numbers of essential pollinators such as bees and butterflies, and loss of habitat for plants and animals.
The good news is that there are many conservation projects underway, and here in the UK we are blessed with many examples of fine water gardens, both large and small. If you are looking for a day out to enjoy nature this spring, or even seeking some inspiration for your own garden, here are some suggestions.
Bodnant Garden, North Wales
The historic Grade I listed Bodnant Gardens near Conwy in North Wales are set over 80 acres amidst the stunning mountain landscapes. The gardens feature lily ponds, pools, and a riverside setting. There are also meadows, woods, dells, and the famous Laburnum Arch.
The word ‘bodnant’ translates from the Welsh as ‘dwelling by a stream’. There was initially a water mill at the site, and later the house was redeveloped on a grander scale as an Arts and Crafts inspired mansion. The central feature of the garden today are five Italianate terraces that were built between 1904 and 1914.
Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens, Sussex
This is a richly stocked valley garden where you will find expertly restored lakes and woodlands. The Grade I listed garden reopened in 2019 after being closed for nine years, and almost lost forever as they were completely untended during this period.
It has been the largest garden restoration project in England, and you can now enjoy walking through the fine 240 acre gardens. The grounds are also home to rare wild animals, including beavers, wallabies, and an unusual species of deer.
Alnwick, Northumberland
Alnwick Garden in Northumberland is perhaps most famous for being the setting of many scenes in the Harry Potter film franchise. Despite this, it’s a major tourist attraction independently of this claim to fame, with the child-friendly Poison Garden and the walled Ornamental Garden.
However, it’s the Grand Cascade that captures the attention of visitors. This is the stunning centrepiece of the garden, featuring over 120 water jets to put on an enchanting display for visitors. Elsewhere, the Serpent Garden is laid out in a loose spiral to form a series of tree-lined chambers.
Inside each chamber is a fountain, each one individually designed to produce a special effect with different angles, water pressures, heights, depths, and so on. Beside each fountain is a plaque explaining in clear child-friendly language how they have been created. A fascinating day out for garden enthusiasts of all ages!
Chatsworth, Derbyshire
The grand Chatsworth House near Bakewell in the heart of the Peak District is the perfect place to see the harmonious integration of water features into a landscaped garden. The foundations of the modern gardens were largely designed by Joseph Paxton in the early 19th century, although the history of the gardens stretches back over 500 years.
Among the abundance of aquatic features are an ornamental Trout Steam, a Jack Pond, a Canal Pond, and the 300-year old Cascade. The show stopping centrepiece of the garden is the 90-metre high Emperor Fountain, which was once the tallest gravity-fed fountain in the world.
RHS Garden Wisley, Surrey
Wisley is the flagship garden of the Royal Horticultural Society. It features the innovative Clear Lake, also known as the ‘giant water butt.’ It is designed to collect rainwater runoff from buildings, which is then used to irrigate the woodland gardens during dry spells of weather.
The lake can hold the equivalent of 42,000 domestic water butts and has a total capacity of approximately three million litres of water. The aeration of the water is assisted by a giant central fountain, which also provides some sound insulation from the nearby road.
The lake has been constructed with gently sloping sides, which provide a habitat for a range of aquatic plants and also make it wildlife- friendly for amphibians and other aquatic creatures. It is always best to top up ponds and irrigate plants with rainwater whenever possible, because tap water contains chemicals that upset the nutrient balance of ponds.
Cotehele, near Saltash, Cornwall
Cotehele is a characterful Tudor house on the border of Cornwall and Devon. It features 14 acres of gardens and 12 acres of orchard to explore, and is situated near to Cotehele Quay with recently restored aquatic habitats. The house itself is situated above the banks of the River Tamar, and the garden features a splendid water lily pond.
The informal gardens are well-stocked with magnolias, rhododendrons, and other spring-flowering plants, so it’s well worth a visit at this time of year if you are lucky enough to be in Devon or Cornwall. In the Valley Garden is a medieval stewpond, which was once used to stock live fish to supply fresh fish to the kitchens.
The river was once used to be used by paddle steamers carrying tourists and local produce, and the quay was once busy with commercial vessels delivering and loading up cargo.
Buscot Park, Oxfordshire
The Peto Water Garden at Buscot Park was designed by Harold Peto, who was a preeminent Italianate garden designer. He designed a bespoke Water Garden for the first Lord Faringdon, which was first laid out in 1904 and extended between 1911 and 1913.
The result is considered to be one of finest examples of a water garden in the UK, and it has been beautifully preserved and maintained over the years. It creates a connection between the house and the Big Lake with a series of canals, pools, and basins.
The water takes an enchanting course over rills, miniature cascades, and underneath a decorative arched bridge. One water-lily pool is adorned by the Dolphin and Putti bronze fountain.