Completing the Ecological Jigsaw in Panborough

Integrating a bespoke wildlife pond into an established Somerset orchard

Location: Panborough, North Somerset

Project Scale: Private Orchard & Traditional Garden

Core Expertise: Habitat Connectivity, Native Stone Construction, Aquatic Colonisation

A small orange and black Doosan excavator digging in a grassy yard, surrounded by trees and bushes, with a blue shovel in the foreground and construction equipment nearby.

Our Approach: Materiality and Biodiversity

A successful wildlife pond must do more than just hold water; it must provide safe entry and exit points for a variety of species.

1. Locally Sourced Artistry

To ensure the pond felt like a natural extension of the Somerset landscape, we utilised locally sourced sandstone rocks. These were paired with sand and subsoil to create varying depths and beached entry points, allowing mammals and reptiles easy access to the water's edge.

2. Native Aquatic Planting

We curated a planting scheme consisting predominantly of native species. This was designed to provide:

  • Submerged Cover: For dragonfly larvae and newts.

  • Emergent Perches: For adult dragonflies and damselflies.

  • Oxygenation: Ensuring a healthy, self-sustaining system without the need for mechanical pumps or filters.

A small pond surrounded by tall green grass, lily pads, and various plants, with sunlight reflecting off the water surface.
Small pond with lily pads and aquatic plants, surrounded by green grass and bushes, with trees and a wooden deck in the background.
A small pond or marsh with green aquatic plants, lily pads, and tall grass and reeds along the water's edge, reflecting in the water.

The Challenge: Connecting Existing Habitats

The clients possessed a beautifully managed garden, rich with mature Willow, Ash, and Hawthorn, alongside a traditional small orchard. While the grounds were already a haven for pollinators and birds, the landscape lacked a permanent water source, the vital missing piece required to support a full cycle of local biodiversity.

The Goal: To design and install a wildlife pond that felt integrated into the historic orchard setting while using sustainable, locally sourced materials.

A small garden pond with rocks lining the edges, surrounded by soil and grass in a backyard.
A large hole in the ground surrounded by a white geotextile fabric, with rocks on the edge, set in a grassy outdoor area with green bushes and trees in the background, and a green wheelbarrow nearby.
A pond with large rocks lining the edge, surrounded by green grass and plants, with murky water reflecting the sky and nearby trees.

The Results: A Completed Ecosystem

Two years post-completion, the pond has become the focal point of the garden’s wildlife activity. The transformation from a dry orchard floor to a thriving aquatic hub was rapid and profound.

A garden without water is a garden at half-capacity. By adding a pond to this Panborough site, we didn't just add a feature; we unlocked the potential of the surrounding orchard and hedging. It’s the single most effective way to invite the wild back into a managed space.

Feature Observations & Species Recorded
Amphibians Established populations of Newts now use the pond for breeding.
Apex Invertebrates Sightings of the impressive Great Diving Beetle and various Dragonfly larvae.
Habitat Mosaic The pond has bridged the gap between the orchard and the mature hedging, creating a seamless wildlife corridor.
Pollinators Increased activity from bees and hoverflies attracted to native aquatic marginals.

Are you looking to restore the wild potential of your land?

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