In the heart of Herefordshire, we transformed a charming, walled area surrounded by rustic outbuildings into a serene outdoor retreat. This new pool perfectly balances contemporary design with the traditional charm of the property’s farm buildings, creating a beautiful, private space for relaxation and recreation.
The Vision
The owners of this beautiful property sought a sleek, modern pool that would provide a striking contrast to the traditional surroundings, yet still harmonise with the history and character of the property. Their vision was clear: a space that could be used for both relaxation and recreation, offering an escape from the bustle of daily life, all while maintaining respect for the timeless elegance of the setting.
The Contemporary Pool Design
At the heart of the design is an 11.2m x 4.2m liner pool, chosen for its versatility and modern aesthetic. The pool’s dark liner provides a rich, reflective quality to the water, which contrasts beautifully with the surrounding bull-nose Raja stone coping and terrace.
The pool’s sleek design offers both a functional and visual centrepiece, providing an inviting space for swimming while enhancing the beauty of the outdoor area. The pool sits within a secluded section of the property, accessible via a charming gated entrance. This hidden retreat is further enhanced by an outdoor shower, located in a low-walled corner that uses the existing stone walls from the old farm buildings, adding to the unique rustic character of the space.
Materials & Features
Size: 11.2m x 4.2m
Construction: Liner pool with a 1.5mm PVC touch elegance on-site liner, offering a 16-year pro-rata guarantee and a 25-year life expectancy.
Coping Stones: Bull-nose Raja stone, providing a seamless, rounded edge that perfectly matches the terrace and enhances the rustic charm of the space.
Terrace: Raja stone non-slip paving, selected to contrast with the weathered, aged brick floors of the old farmyard and barn, enhancing both aesthetics and safety.
Cover: Walkable safety cover that protects children and pets while keeping the pool clean.
Lighting: Certikin PU6 LED lights, creating a tranquil atmosphere for evening swims.
Heating: Calorex variable speed heat pump, ensuring energy-efficient and reliable heating.
Filtration: Aquaspeed filtration pump, maintaining crystal-clear water quality.
Suppliers: Cranbourne Stone, Aquaflex, Certikin, Calorex, Paramount Pool Products.
Build Time: 3 months. The build faced challenges due to the hot summer weather, which delayed the installation of some cement-based products that couldn’t be applied during extreme heat.
Challenges & Solutions
One of the key challenges of this project was ensuring that the new, modern pool complemented the historic setting of the property. We carefully selected materials that blended contemporary luxury with the rustic charm of the outbuildings.
The choice of bull-nose Raja stone coping and non-slip Raja stone paving for the terrace created a beautiful contrast with the weathered brick floors of the old farmyard and barn, resulting in a harmonious balance between old and new.
The summer heat posed another challenge, as the extremely high temperatures delayed some aspects of construction, particularly the application of cement-based products. However, we managed the situation with careful timing and expertise to ensure that the final result was not compromised.
The Result
The result is a beautiful, harmonious space that feels both luxurious and in tune with its natural and historic surroundings. The dark liner, raja stone coping, and rustic stone walls create a perfect blend of old and new, giving the pool a modern edge while maintaining the character of the traditional outbuildings.
The owners couldn’t be happier with their new pool: “We couldn’t have asked for a better result. The pool is everything we hoped it would be - modern yet timeless, functional yet beautiful. The team was professional from start to finish, and we’re thrilled with how it turned out.”
This new liner pool is the perfect example of how we can bring a modern touch to a historic property, creating a space that offers both luxury and tranquillity. Whether you're looking to build a new pool or renovate an existing one, we bring expertise, craftsmanship and attention to detail to every project.
About Aquascape
For over 30 years, Aquascape Swimming Pools has been a leader in pool design, construction, renovation, and maintenance services across Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Bristol, and the South West. We specialise in bespoke pools, offering concrete, stainless steel, and liner options, tailored for both indoor and outdoor environments. Our expert craftsmanship, attention to detail, and exceptional customer service set us apart. Whether you're building a new pool or enhancing an existing one, we provide comprehensive swimming pool repairs, renovations, and regular or seasonal maintenance. Get in touch today to discuss your pool needs, and let us help you create and maintain the perfect pool for your home.
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