Recent Projects
New Hope Natural Swimming and Storm Attenuation Pool
As part of the planning requirements for their new home the clients had to install a rainwater storage and attenuation pond to hold water before it reaches a nearby natural water course. They reached out to me and we collaborated with their engineers and architects to design a natural swimming pool that looks great and can be used for swimming all year round whilst also allowing the pool water level to fluctuate and hold over 30,000l during heavy rains before discharging at a controlled and specific rate.
The water is filtered through a wetland filter and hydrobotanical system to provide clear clean water, perfect for swimming anytime.
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The project is ongoing as the house is built and gardens landscaped, with hopeful completion in late spring 2026
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Little Walden Swim Pond
The clients did not know what to do with an old mud filled hole, one wanted to fill it in the other to relax beside the water and have a feature to draw them out into the garden. So we decided to create this really simple swimming pond, with some moving water for sound and a bridge to draw them out beside the water.
They loved it so much they then decided to hold their wedding reception beside the pool!
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Brushwood Sauna and Natural Swimming Pool
An old mosquito ridden pond in a neglected section of garden. A vision for a unique cold water swimming experience for guests as well as a stage for charity open air opera events, all came together in this project.
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​Completed summer 2025
This pool has a waterfall, UVC, Lighting, Wood Fired Sauna and is over 280m2
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It is open to the public and currently fully booked from Thursday to Monday with guests absolutely loving the pool and sauna
Wicken Swim Pond
A leaking and stagnant old pond needed revitalising, so we decided to create this lovely swimming pond with wooden walls and simple filtration.
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Testimonial
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"Neil turned our tired pond into a stunning natural pool — beautiful, wildlife-rich, and the best upgrade we’ve ever made!
We commissioned Neil to transform our pre-existing lined pond into a natural pool — and it has been, by far, the best home and garden improvement we’ve ever done.
The old pond was unattractive and, in summer, became smothered with blanket weed. Neil worked with our space and plants, completed the build in winter with no garden damage, and the result is beautiful year-round.
We now have a glorious pool for refreshing freshwater swims, surrounded by ever-changing beauty and teeming with wildlife. Neil’s knowledge and passion for both flora and fauna shine through in every detail — and he’s an absolute delight to work with.
Highly recommend! "
Swaffham Prior Pond Conversion
The customer already had a shallow wildlife pond that they inherited when they brought the house 10 years ago. They wanted a Natural Swimming Pool that was natural, low maintenance, wheelchair accessible, reminded them of their time in the Alps.
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Testimonial
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How do you take a neglected, half-empty 15’ x 5’ thrice-repaired vestige of a garden pond and create a haven for newts and frogs, dragon-flies, water-lilies and bulrushes? How to convert a stagnant, leaking puddle into a pool of clear, living water filtered by vegetation (well, partly…) good enough for swimming?
You describe your dream to Neil Ellis at Bombina, that’s how. He will make it a reality. Advice at every stage, helpful collaboration to make the most of the space and budget you have, doing as much or as little as you ask.
For us Neil was present and helpful at every stage from start to finish: design, digging, building internal walls, commissioning the membrane – right through to advising on the plants, and supplying them.
Once the pond is made Neil will support as much you want; he is encyclopaedic – a genuine enthusiast – for all things pond-related, from Great Diving Beetles and Sympetrum striolatum to phosphate filters and pond-management iPhone apps.
If you want somewhere to swim or just a place to sit and watch the sun go down reflected on the water, Neil can help you create it. "
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Radwinter New Build Pool
Built in 2023 as part of a new home and garden, these clients wanted a smart clean natural pool that reflected the straightlines of the house and flowed into the curves of the garden.
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The Pool is 220m2 with an 18m long swimming zone, 40KW Airsource heating, UVC, Low energy pumps, Stepping stones, lighting and large wetland filter zone.
Halstead
The Client had seen a 8 year old formal pool conversion I did in Oxfordshire and decided the time has come for their existing pool to be converted to a natural pool.
Stretton on Fosse
The client had tried various contractors to repair a leaking koi pond but without any luck. They contacted me and we added a wetland filter, skimmer and steps to create a stunning tiled chemical free plunge pool
