Landscaping and Water Features

Stream with small cascades and a hidden reservoir, using premium large rocks
Pondless stream at night
Clients photo as his self-made garden begins to mature around the pond.
Damsel fly taken by one of our clients at the pond we built them.
Taken by our client, a toad eyeing-up a tasty morsel, an ecosystem pond we built in 2023. Gin clear water.
This is a stream with 2 pooling areas, a self cleaning ecosystem which needs way less maintainence than any other type of pond or water feature.
Nightime shot of a new fishpond / November 2023
Pond building is hungry work, the chickens agree
Inside a Wetland filter - there are no moving parts, nothing can fail, no spare parts ever needed - it just filters like nothing else. These can be added to old Koi ponds etc with amazing results.
Underwater shot using our GoPro
Construction of a Wetland filter, the best possible filter type which has no moving parts and is super simple. Unlike a factory built filter it just works and doesn't need constant maintenance or any new parts. The surface area for beneficial cleaning microbes is around 10 x that of a large factory made filter.
Close-up stream. This is a premium rock iption which costs 3 x more than standard rocks but looks spectacular. A stream makes an excellent interactive feature for toe dangling whilst enjoying your favourite tipple. This design was also pondless for absolute minimal maintenance.
12 x 7 ft pond in premium rocks, crystal clear ecosystem filtration is all contained inside the pond.
Tadpoles thrive in our clear water ecosystem ponds, taken with a Go Pro 12 Creators edition. Unlike most ponds, there is very little sludge build-up in our ecosystem ponds.
Clear healthy self-cleaning ponds are our passion, this one we built years ago
Underwater in one of our ponds, hasn't been cleaned in 18 months, still gin clear and no sludge
Close up of a running stream
Ben cooling off after a hot days pond building in summer 2019. Note the fish cave underneath Ben - herons cannot get into these.
Bespoke trough reflection pool. Beneath the false bottom is our biological filter to ensure clear water ongoing. Very easy to hose off the filter. Actual water depth is 35 cm mostly out of sunlight to reduce algae. Water moves slowly along the trough. Can also include a bubbling fountain if desired. Comes ina variety of finishes.
Bigger rocks look more natural but are more costly. 70% through an eco-system pond build with large rock waterfalls, Bishops Stortford
Small koi pond, self-cleaning pond. Why do we use rocks? Because they create healthier water than bare liner or clay lined ponds.
These stone features do not require a liner and can be done in a variety of configurations
An ecosystem pond we built in 2019, gin clear thanks to ecosystem biomimicry.and very minimal maintenance required. Self-cleaning ponds are our main specialty.
Large koi pond, naturalised over time by planting in and around the rock edge.
One we built a few yrs ago, see how the plants naturalise the rocky apperance. Rocks disguise the liner which would otherwise be bordered by grass and soil and lead to murky water and also grass cuttings getting into water with each mow.
Richard looking over a pond build. Our clear water ecosystems can be scaled to any size.
We can construct contemporary ripple pools in various materials such as black natural stone. Our internal filtration does away with the need for external filters.
Close-up of yorkstone cascades, the trick is to avoid a waterfall 'staircase', by splitting the watercourse and adding multiple cascades pointing in different directions. This takes many years of practice.
Quite a large pond that used premium large rocks, now settling-in as plants soften the rocky appearance.
Our swim ponds are simply scaled-up versions of our normal garden ponds. A constructed wetland and good circulation are far superior to more standard British style swim ponds that use massive gravel beds that are far harder to maintain than a small constructed wetland
A slate pond we built for wildlife. Over time the plants will soften the appearance. Using a rock structure gives superior water quality, liner protection and largely impedes muddy run-off getting into our ponds. You can have a grass edge if you prefer, but maintenance is more tricky.
Pondless waterfall with well behaved planting
Cascades and stream built in Clapgate, Herts. The brief here was 'build whatever you want'! Mr and Mrs Blakeman wanted a low maintenance pondless water feature. A below ground reservoir holds 200 gallons of water & can be built to harvest roof rainwater.
A new wetland filter with young plants. Wetland filters offer superb filtration by deploying a vast number of beneficial microorganisms far larger than found in any factory made filter. These can often be retro-fitted to existing ponds and lakes for unrivaled filtration. The sedimentation chamber is flushed through during an annual clean.
Large rocks make the very best waterfalls but cost more than standard rocks per ton. Taken on mobile phone, this pond is 5 years old, crystal clear water.
Fish pond with small waterfall, Halsted, surrounding planting and paving by client. The pond uses the ecosystem method to keep water healthy. An intake skimmer bay draws leaves and other matter to one convenient location, without which detritus would gradually collect on the pond bottom. A pond like this should require an annual clean-out which is a simple procedure done by us or the client.
BUILD IN PROGRESS; building a formal shallow pool with false bottom, fully internal self-cleaning filtration, about 70% completed so far.
New cascades build in late 2023, under water lighting makes for an enchanting atmoshpere
Ecosystem pond, this one in aged slate, planting beginning to soften things
Plants beginning to soften a rocky water feature. We did everything you see here. We used white rocks as client specifically wanted this aesthetic.
Multi level Waterfall part way into construction. For stability we like to have gentle rises. We can build high sheer drops but they don't look natural unless the sides gradually build up to the final height.
Tearing out a failed fibre glass pond and replacing with a rubber liner
Small / medium sized water feature in slate.
Ecosystem pond, working with mother nature for naturally healthy water, no chemicals, no costly or hard-to-maintain filter units
Our Client's Grandson is obsessed with their new feature!
Our ponds mimic clear water systems found in nature, no matter how large or small.
Water feature featuring our premium rocks option - these are 4 x more expensive than standard rocks due to rarity and costs associated with weight.
Waterfall after a rebuild using the clients existing rocks. When a waterfall is relatively high it looks best if there are gradually sloping sides out into the rest of the space, otherwise you can edn up with an ant hill aesthetic which looks un-natural. Always carefuly image how the waterfall will look behind and from the sides.
Building a water feature in December, brrr. This is a pondless waterfall. If we went too hiogh next to the fence, it would look artificial and contrived. Going this high right adjacent to a fence is tricky and requires a lot of additional construction work.
A medium sized ecosystem pond in yorkstone, which clients are busily planting now it's spring.
Small waterfall entering fishpond. A fish cave offers protection from predators and winter weather. The pond has good circulation and well oxygenated water.
Unlike traditional ponds with ugly box filters, ours self-clean and require much lower maintenance.
Close-up of stream made using large premium rocks, larger rocks for a very natural aesthetic. These rocks cost more to source and transport but the results are stunning. On a medium sized feature like this the premium rocks will set you back around £3500, large rocks can take hours to set each one.
The Team.
Some early planting by clients to a new water garden. Plants soften the rocky aesthetic, but without rocks an installation will not function properly nor enable wonderful ecosystem natural water cleansing.
Low rise waterfall, stream and landscaping created in Berden, Herts. The clients wanted nature bought right to their patio where they enjoy a morning cuppa with the soothing sound of water.
Summer 2023, here we used a premium rock from Wales, large rocks look more natural than lots of small rocks. And yes lilies will grow happily in moving water as long as they aren't in a splash zone. Note the low heigh looks natural and easy, whereas high waterfalls can sometimes look out of place.
A year-on when planting is softening the rocky aesthetic..
Traditional fully planted pond, this style of planting is more for the keen gardener. For a lower maintenance pond, we would suggest very different planting schemes.
Hard at work in December
Blue slate used in this wildlife pond, plants beginning to soften the rocky appearance. You may prefer smaller rocks and more soil, the choices are infinite.
Green rocks were used in this magical waterfall. An expensive rock option but very effective.
Small pond built 2021, now in spring bloom
Established falls that were built into an existing garden slope in 2018
Wildlife, eco-system pond with small stream, Bishops Stortford, Herts. Plants will quickly establish and soften the 'rocky' appearance.
Another stream and waterfalls completed!
Large pond with a wetland filter using a premium rock option, large rocks are great for a natural aged feel
Medium / large pond with skimming zone in foreground which acts as a mechanical filter using natural principles.
Ferns and other shady plants begin colonising the slate rocks
Medium / large pond by us in Autumn 2023, the large shallow zone makes a great area for plants and wildlife and acts as a skimming zone to help leaves move into the intake bay for easy removal from one area.
Constructing a plunge pool which will have terrific water quality
New pond ready for planting. Small-medium ecosystem pond by Creative Cascades UK
Building a large eco-system pond in Suffolk. These rocks are the most expensive of all types of rock available as at Autumn 2022.
A stream, waterfall and landscaping to include aquatic & terrestrial planting, Berden village, Hertfordshire, planting by us
Very shallow ecosystem pond, with wildlife friendly nooks n crannies, mostly native aquatic plants. Water will remain crystal clear.
Halfway into a new build pondless stream
Me at a freshly completed pondless waterfall
Completed eco-system pond Autumn 2022. Very large rocks used here are very expensive but make for a dramatic impact. Client gave us complete autonomy, and this shows in the finished result. Building these water gardens is all about freeing us as artists to obtain the best results.
Newly built cascades and pond, Hertford, 2021, this is quite a large project but we build features both large and small
Our client wanted a round shaped pond for her goldfish and also to attract wildlife to her Baldock garden. The pump is safely isolated so that wildlife cannot be sucked into it. Crystal clear water thanks to our ecosystem approach.
Large existing bank needed large retaining rocks. Limestone waterfall with wetland filter and intake bay retro-fitted to an existing pond suffering with algae & high maintenance issues.
Sunset over a pond we built near Bishops Stortford, in time plants will soften the rocky appearance
Freshly built waterfall close-up
Pondless stream and cascades, summer 2018, these are the most expensive rock types, but other lower cost rocks are available.
Ecosystem pond and patio by Creative Cascades, 2021
Intake bay part 1 (during construction) ! Pond was dug by a builder and not how we would have designed it, but we did our best with what was there.
Love goes into the placing of every rock
Pond using Yorkstone and Scottish pebbles. Once plant growth is in full swing, the rocky appearance will be considerably softened. Plenty of rocks required to retain the lawn and soil to the rear.
Another waterfall begins (onto an existing client dug pond and clients own gabion baskets) )
Limestone waterfalls with small fish pond & intake bay
Constructing a new waterfall and eco-pond
the same pond as in the previous photo, up and running.
Waterfall built in shaded area hence ferns and moss can thrive, all planting done by us. Taller waterfalls like this look good in plenty of space. For smaller spaces we recommend low waterfalls.
Hand feeding fish gets kids in touch with nature
Large waterfall with a smallish pond, ready for planting
1 yr on, pondless stream
Larger jobs are quicker with a digger, Jim on duty here
New 2022 pondless waterfall, due to height required 4 tons of topsoil
Shallow intake bays are great fish playgrounds
An example of our off-the-shelf water walls, these aren't real stone but are built to last
November 2019 - waterfall, stream and pond built near Bishops Stortford
New waterfall - August 2021 in limestone
Small wildlife pond ready for surrounding planting, 2021
Putting finishing touches to this organic Jacuzzi which can be fitted with a water heater or left as is for bracing dips
Building a stream before filling with water
Constructing a stream Nov' 2021
This was a jungle 2 weeks prior, we remodeled the entire space and added this stream
Construction of pond December 2020
August Great Dunmow falls
Small waterfall in limestone rocks, flowing into eco-pond, size in keeping with small garden setting. Lower cascade is only just above pond height to generate sufficient pond flow.
Large rocks make for a far more natural look than small rocks piled on-top off one another
The boss
Atmospheric waterfalls tumbling into ecosystem pond, Hertfordshire
Close up of one of our cascades
Our mid sized 'Halcyon' Pond with the added option of a spillway bowl which is being use as an additional mini 'bog' filter. Also includes rock upgrade.
Feb 2021 - pond in limestone with waterfalls to far end
Even in the depths of winter a pond is a gem among the gloom
Building a waterfall 2020
Small wildlife pond in Bishops Stortford. A still pond without waterfall.
Small pond with 'Lake District' inspired waterfalls, Brentwood, surrounding planting by client
Our custom natural reservoir being built for a new waterfall and pooling stream
Small slate pondless waterfall with lush planting. No pond means almost no maintenance. Smaller features like this offer a good value solution for clients.
Fish enjoying their new pond, the insulated fish cave beneath them offers protection from predators and cold weather
Ecosystem pond built in Hertfordshire, 2020, water will stay clear without need for UV lights
Early 2020, digging another ecosystem pond
Small stream with low waterfall seen from waterfall top, Hertfordshire
This is a wetland filter under construction, being added to a pond. Nothing comes close, this is the Rolls Royce of filters, based on natural principles.A wetland filter has far more filtering volume compared with anything factory made.
Pondless paradise, a low waterfall with stream & no pond. Purple Loostrife thrives in marginal gravel bogs.
Desert style creek by Creative Cascades, 2019
Here we've transformed a weed-strewn featureless flat garden area into a little paradise to include full planting.
Another water feature job begins
Clients wanted us to incorporate some old patio flags into this waterfall which is set-off nicely with native Hemp flowers
Planning a small courtyard water feature
Very large green slate used in this pondless waterfall. Larger rocks look impressive but more expensive to transport & install.
Bit cheesey Richard...
Small waterfall with stream