Dig a pond for wildlife

Even a small container pond can welcome all sorts of wild visitors  to your garden or green space.

Last edited: 19/11/2025

Before you get started

Why is this important

Providing a clean water source is one of the best things you can do for garden wildlife.  Water helps animals drink, bathe, cool down, and even find shelter. From frogs and newts to birds, bees, hedgehogs, and dragonflies - all sorts of species benefit.

And it doesn’t have to be a full-sized pond. A shallow dish can make a great bird bath, especially with a few pebbles for insects to safely land on.

Supporting documents
Duke of Edinburgh Worksheet [4 hours]

Newt sitting on top of some pebbles found next to a pond.

Instructions

Making a pond

Finding a good spot

Choose a space that gets some light, but not full sun all day.

A shady corner or near the edge of the garden is ideal.

Make sure the pond is safe for children - even small containers can pose a risk.

Dig or place your container

Sink your container into the ground, or place it on a flat surface.

Add a layer of gravel at the bottom (not soil).

Pop in a few pebbles and one or two larger rocks that will break the water surface

Placing gravel at the bottom of a tray for a wildlife pond.

Build an exit ramp

Inside the container, build a gentle slope using bricks or rocks.

This gives small animals, like hedgehogs or frogs, a safe way to climb out if they fall in.

Placing rocks to act as a exit ramp from the wildlife pond.

Fill with water

Use rainwater from a water butt, or simply leave the container out in the rain.

If you use tap water, let it sit outside for a few days first so any chemicals can break down.