Forum home› Garden design

Disused swimming pool

ndohertyndoherty Posts: 4
in Garden design
We are due to move into our new house soon. The property has a very old concrete swimming pool in the garden. The current owners have been using it as a pond which they are currently in the process of draining. We were thinking of turning this into a sunken garden with seating
area. Does anyone have anytips or ideas for drainage? We have  visions of it filling in when it rains if not done correctly. The deep end is 6ft deep. 
Any info would be amazing, even planting or seating advice! 


«1

Posts

  • FireFire Posts: 17,116
    Your Garden Made Perfect has an episode on coverting a swimming pool.
  • ndohertyndoherty Posts: 4
    Great thanks will check it out 
  • FireFire Posts: 17,116
    It's not your shape at all, but it might give you an idea of some approaches to the challenges involved.
  • valerierobertsvalerieroberts Posts: 726
    @ndoherty what a wonderful plot. I can see fantastic  climbing plants all over and a sitting area surrounded by tree ferns and greenery with secluded lighting. Enjoy, Valerie 
  • JoeXJoeX Posts: 1,783
    I’d recover it as a swimming pool. That would be amazing.
  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 21,881
    A nuclear bunker could come in handy.
    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,221
    ndoherty said:
    The current owners have been using it as a pond which they are currently in the process of draining.
    Does anyone have anytips or ideas for drainage?
    How are the current owners draining it?
  • FireFire Posts: 17,116
    edited March 2022
    I'd personally go for wild natural swimming pond, softening the edges and planting it up. But that's because I love swimming.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,025
    If you want it as a sunken seating/dining area, you'll have to break up the bottom or you'll just have wet areas every time it rains for any length of time. If you want plants as well, that's vital because you need drainage for them. You'd probably need to build in some raised beds for planting, so that you could get a good medium. The ground below will be hideous in terms of health and compaction. It would also allow instant height, and varying heights, which would enhance the feeling of seclusion and enclosure.

    There's no other option. How you would go about breaking it up would depend on what the base is, and what depth, but you'd need machinery    :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 2,248
    It might be best to check whether there's a swimming pool specialist in your area and ask them to complete a structural survey of the pool.  This is often requested by a lender when approving a mortgage.  That way you'll know the potential for reuse or repurpose and get an idea of costs.  
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.
Sign In or Register to comment.