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5 Benefits of Having a Water Feature in Your Garden

  • Writer: David Keegan
    David Keegan
  • May 20
  • 4 min read

Updated: May 25

A wooden fountain with three cascading streams over bamboo pillars, surrounded by lush greenery and a deck, created by David Keegan Garden Design for a Chorlton home in Manchester.

One of the most transformative additions to your garden—regardless of its size or style—is a water feature.


It could be a simple birdbath, a stream or a wildlife-friendly pond, water brings a dimension to the garden that no other element can. It’s more than a decorative accessory. It’s a literal source of life, motion, sound and reflection. It can turn a landscape into a living ecosystem.


If you're lucky enough to have the space and means, a water feature is one of the most rewarding investments you can make—and here are five great things a water feature can do for your garden.


1. It Creates a Haven for Wildlife


As natural habitats in homes are increasingly lost to paved driveways, gardens are becoming vital lifelines for biodiversity. A pond, especially, can be a sanctuary for all kinds of animals—frogs, toads, newts, dragonflies, birds and pollinators.


When you create a wildlife pond, you’re creating a mini-ecosystem. Marginal plants provide cover, floating plants help oxygenate the water and a sloped edge give easy access and exit to friendly creatures. Even a shallow, still pool can become a hub of life in just weeks of installation.


Speaking of which, amphibians that thrive in garden ponds—like frogs and toads—are natural predators of pests such as slugs and snails. As we help our clients phase out the use of traditional chemical control in gardens for environmental reasons, these little friends offer a sustainable, organic solution.


A garden with a stone pathway leads to a fountain, with water jets flowing. Designed by David Keegan Garden Design for a residential garden in Worsley, Greater Manchester.

2. It’s Resilient During Drought


It’s no secret that the weather patterns are becoming increasingly unpredictable, which means water conservation and thoughtful design are more important than ever. Whilst it may seem counterintuitive, a water feature like a pond can be a source of resilience during periods of drought—which we’re seeing more and more of in the UK.


Circling back to the wildlife we share our homes with, a water feature provides a safe zone for amphibians and insects when natural sources dry up. Birds can drink and bathe. Even hedgehogs and bees benefit from a safe, shallow water source.


When positioned wisely, a pond can also collect and store rainwater during wetter months, helping to balance moisture levels in the garden microclimate. Using plants that are suited to wet margins—such as irises and sedges—can create a lush, naturalistic edge whilst supporting biodiversity. It’s a win-win.


Stone waterfall with water cascading down dark steps, surrounded by purple flowers and a stone wall. Created by David Keegan Garden Design for an Alderley Edge home in Cheshire.

Have you ever noticed? The air feels just a little bit cooler near a lake or river on a sweltering day? It’s no illusion. As water evaporates, it helps cool the immediate surroundings by absorbing heat, thus reducing the temperature of the air nearby. A water feature may be much smaller in scale, it can still make the immediate area more comfortable on a hot day.


3. Its Soothing Sound


Beyond its ecological value, a water feature also enhances the sensory experience of a garden.


The babble of a stream, the splash of a fountain… Not many sounds are as calming and restorative as flowing water—take it from the Kennedys, who have enjoyed great comfort in the rhythm of the bespoke bamboo water feature in their tropical-inspired garden in Chorlton.


Oriental-inspired bamboo fountain with multiple water streams cascading from a wooden wall. Created by David Keegan Garden Design for a Chorlton home in Manchester.

Especially in urban gardens, a small recirculating water feature can help mask background noise and soothe the mind.


From a garden designer’s standpoint, water sounds can be tailored to mood and purpose. A formal fountain offers crisp, refined splashes, whilst a background cascade flowing over natural stone can evoke tranquility. That’s why when we design gardens for clients struggling with stress, sleeplessness or overstimulation, water is often one of the first prescriptions.


4. It Reflects Light and Brightens Up Your Outdoor Space


Water is a master manipulator of light. A still pond can reflect the sky and surrounding foliage, creating the illusion of space and depth, especially in smaller gardens.


Early in the morning or late in the day, the low sun striking the water can produce breathtaking effects… glinting, sparkling, shimmering. Even in winter, a frozen pond catches wintery light in a way that catches any eye. In minimalist gardens, the reflective quality of water can soften hard architectural lines.


The interplay of light and shadow on water can really bring a garden to life.


Koi swim in a pond with a glass window display, set in a residential garden in Sandbach, designed by David Keegan Garden Design.
Koi fish of various colours swim in a clear tank, set in a Sandbach residential garden, designed by David Keegan Garden Design.

5. It Provides a Natural Learning Area


Any parent knows, children are naturally curious. They love watching frogs hop, spotting pond skaters and dipping nets in to see what they can find—and a water feature can fuel and fulfil this curiosity.


More than just fun, these moments can be educational. A well-designed water feature can be an engaging, hands-on discovery for children. It turns a garden into a classroom, teaching them about ecosystems, lifecycles and the importance of coexisting with nature.


Even small features, like a shallow wildlife pond with safe edges, offer sensory experiences that pixels can't replicate. They encourage children to explore and to connect with the natural world in a way that’s interactive—the best way to learn!


Lush garden with a modern water feature and pergola. Designed by David Keegan Garden Design for a residential garden in Cheadle Hulme, Greater Manchester.

Make Space for Water in Your Garden


The best thing is, you don’t need a large garden or a big budget to enjoy the benefits of a water feature. The key is to scale appropriately and integrate the feature with your planting and layout.


Whether it’s for the wildlife, the children or for you, a water feature gives back in every season. So if you’re planning your next garden project, get in touch to find out how you can incorporate a water feature in your outdoor space.


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