Our BBC Radio Moment: Talking Natural Pools with Caroline Martin

Earlier this week, we had the absolute pleasure of joining BBC Radio on Caroline Martin’s show to talk about natural swimming pools. What started as a simple idea in our own garden has grown into something far bigger, and it was a joy to share that journey on air.

From “a bit of a pond” to something extraordinary

The conversation began with a relatable idea—wanting a peaceful pond in the garden. But as we shared on the show, things didn’t exactly stay small:

“It started quite small, but it escalated quite quickly… every day I came home, it was just getting bigger and bigger.”

What began as a modest pond project soon transformed into a full natural swimming pool, sparked by a simple suggestion from our daughter:

“Wouldn’t it be great if we could swim in it?”

That one question changed everything.

Building something that gives back to nature

Coming from a construction background, this project marked a refreshing shift in what we create:

“It’s been quite a nice change for us to be constructing something that encouraged nature as opposed to building houses.”

And the impact? Immediate and remarkable. Even before the pool was finished, wildlife had already moved in:

“We had newts in the pond before it was finished… we get dragonflies, swallows, goldfinches—and even a bird of prey landed in it once for a bath.”

Watching the ecosystem establish itself so quickly has been one of the most rewarding aspects of the journey.

A pool that’s alive

One of the biggest questions Caroline asked was how a natural pool stays clean without chemicals. The answer lies in balance:

“You need about 50% of the surface area planted… the water is naturally filtrated biologically through the plants.”

Instead of chlorine, the pool relies on gravel beds, aquatic plants, and gentle oxygenation. The result is clear: living water that feels completely different to swim in:

“It’s just so much nicer to swim in living water… it’s a completely different experience.”

Changing how families connect

Perhaps the most meaningful impact has been on family life. In a world dominated by screens, the pool has become a magnet for real-world exploration:

“If my son’s friends come over… they’re in the pool looking for newts and wildlife rather than playing on an Xbox.”

Even in winter, the space remains part of daily life.

Busting the myths

Naturally, people wonder about bugs, murky water, or unwanted surprises. But the reality has been reassuring:

“We’ve never had mosquitos… it kind of looks after itself.”

And swimming alongside wildlife?

“You just become part of the system… it’s wonderful.”

From home project to growing business

What began in our garden has now grown into a business helping others create their own natural pools. As we shared on air:

“Some people want something they can swim in and then learn they can have all these other benefits as well—it’s just a no-brainer.”

Natural pools have been popular in Europe since the 1980s, and we’re now seeing growing interest here in the UK as more people look for ways to combine wellbeing, sustainability, and outdoor living.

“I’ve got natural pool envy”

One of our favourite moments from the interview came from Caroline herself:

“I’ve had chicken envy… walking stick envy… and now I’ve got natural pool envy talking to you.”

We’ll take that as a compliment!

Listen to the full interview

We’ve only been able to share a snapshot of the conversation here, and there’s so much more in the full chat—from the early challenges to the little moments that made it all worthwhile.

If you’re curious about natural pools, love the idea of bringing more wildlife into your garden, or just want to hear the story in our own words, we’d really encourage you to tune in to the full interview on BBC Radio on the link below.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002v24m

Our interview is at 3 hours 26 minutes.