Formal pond construction
Formal pond design

Formal ponds

Still expanses of water...
Reflecting sky and light...

The Jane Austen of ponds.

Closely related to the ornamental pond, the formal pond is a particular style of pond that takes inspiration from classical architecture, with clean, geometric lines and often symmetry being of vital importance to the design. When building a formal pond, just as in making any design that features simple lines and symmetry, craftsmanship is paramount. A single wrong note will destroy the entire effect. The same, of course goes for formal pond design - it needs to be great to start with. A key feature of the formal pond is the placing of the sky on the ground by reflection. The loose flowing informality of clouds and light make a stunning counterpoint to the formality of the structure.

In the right setting a formal pond can be grandly spectacular. Plonked in the wrong place, they can look like swimming pools - simply dull. Modern interpretations of formal pond design tend to lose the symmetry while keeping the geometric lines. The designing of a new formal pond, or the restoration of an old, neglected, or mistreated one, is always a stimulating experience.

We design, build, plant, maintain and repair formal ponds in Surrey, West Sussex and Hampshire.

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