These beautiful additions to any land provide homes for some of our most important indigenous wildlife: plants, insects, fish, amphibians, birds and even mammals. A limpid pool edged with rushes, the humming of damselflies, the croaks of frogs and the swooping flight of swallows will be a microsite of the best of the countryside.

Pond expert Chris McClaren introduces the reader to the world of ponds: how to create one, how to maintain one and how to introduce wildlife to this idyllic pool and help it thrive. All your questions are answered here. What plants are indigenous and will have positive environmental impact? What cover to include around the pond so that it links to a suitable ‘wildlife corridor’? What fish are sustainable in a pond of a small size? How can I make sure the pond is safe? What will the pond be like through the seasons?

To help create and conserve our wildlife and to discover the delights of creating a micro-ecosystem – take time to create a pond.