Natural Pool Accessories & Equipment: Essential UK Guide

Equipping Your Natural Pool

Once your natural swimming pool is complete, the right accessories make maintenance easier and swimming more enjoyable. Unlike chlorinated pools, natural pools need fewer gadgets—but choosing quality matters.

Essential Equipment

Surface Skimmers

The single most important maintenance tool:

Manual Skimmer Nets

• Long-handled pond net (2-4m reach)
• Fine mesh for small debris
• Daily use during leaf season
• Cost: £20-50

Floating Skimmers

• Automatic surface debris collection
• Solar or mains-powered
• Reduces manual work significantly
• Cost: £80-300

Built-in Skimmers

• Installed during construction
• Most effective solution
• Connects to filtration system
• Cost: £300-600 (including installation)

Bottom Cleaning

Pond Vacuums

• Manual siphon type (simple, reliable)
• Electric pond vacuum (easier for large pools)
• Removes settled sediment
• Essential for spring clean
• Cost: £50-400

Robotic Pool Cleaners

• Limited options for natural pools
• Must be safe for liner
• Avoid aggressive brush types
• Cost: £800-2,000

Nets and Covers

Leaf Netting

• Essential in autumn
• Stretch over pool when not in use
• Fine mesh catches everything
• Cost: £50-200

Safety Covers

• Child and pet safety
• Debris protection
• Various fixing methods
• Cost: £500-2,000

Solar Covers

• Heat retention (extend swimming season)
• Debris protection
• See our heating guide for integration
• Cost: £200-600

Automatic Covers

• Premium convenience
• Safety and debris in one
• Slatted or fabric options
• Cost: £5,000-15,000

Water Quality Tools

Regular testing keeps your pool healthy. Understanding the biological balance helps you interpret test results correctly. For day-to-day care, follow the complete maintenance guide:

Test Kits

Strip Tests

• Quick pH checks
• Less accurate
• Good for frequent monitoring
• Cost: £10-30 (50-100 strips)

Liquid Test Kits

• More accurate
• Tests multiple parameters
• Colour matching required
• Cost: £30-80

Digital Testers

• Most accurate for pH
• Instant results
• Requires calibration
• Cost: £50-200

Recommended Testing Supplies

• pH test (essential)
• Ammonia test (important)
• Nitrite/nitrate test (useful)
• Phosphate test (helpful)
• Dissolved oxygen meter (optional luxury)

Comfort & Convenience

Access Equipment

Pool Ladders

• Stainless steel for durability
• Wide treads for comfort
• Removable for winter
• Cost: £200-600

Entry Steps

• Built during construction preferred
• Retrofit options available
• Natural stone integration possible
• Cost: £500-2,000

Poolside Furniture

Choose weather-resistant materials:

• Teak or hardwood loungers
• Aluminium frames with cushions
• Rattan-effect resin
• Parasols and shade sails

Heating Accessories

If you've installed pool heating:

• Thermal blankets (essential for efficiency)
• Thermometers (monitor temperature)
• Timer controls (optimise running)

Plant Care Tools

The regeneration zone needs occasional attention:

Pruning Tools

• Long-reach pond scissors
• Aquatic plant knife
• Waders or chest waders
• Cost: £30-100

Planting Accessories

• Aquatic plant baskets
• Low-nutrient substrate
• Planting tools set
• Cost: £20-50

Safety Equipment

First Aid

• Poolside first aid kit
• Rescue throw rope
• Shepherd's crook (reaching pole)

Visibility

• Depth markers if required
• Edge lighting (see our lighting guide)
• Non-slip surfaces

Automation Options

Modern technology for convenience:

Smart Monitoring

• Water quality sensors
• Temperature monitoring
• Smartphone alerts
• Cost: £200-500

Automated Systems

• Pump scheduling
• Lighting control
• Heating timers
• Integrated app control
• Cost: £500-2,000

Seasonal Equipment Checklist

Swimming Season

• Skimmer net (daily)
• Test kit (weekly)
• Vacuum (monthly)

Autumn

• Leaf net
• Increased skimming
• Plant trimming tools

Winter

• Cover or netting
• Frost protection (if needed)
• Reduced monitoring

Spring

• Deep cleaning vacuum
• Plant dividing tools
• System check equipment

Quality vs Budget

Where to invest vs save:

Worth Investing

• Floating skimmer: Good quality saves time daily
• Test kit: Accuracy matters for water health
• Safety cover: No compromise on safety
• Quality vacuum: Lasts years, works better

Can Save Money

• Manual skimmer net: All work the same
• Basic thermometer: No need for digital
• Furniture: Personal preference, not pool function
• Decorative items: Shop around

UK Suppliers

Recommended sources for natural pool equipment:

Specialist Pond Suppliers

• Water Garden Ltd
• Bradshaws Direct
• Maidenhead Aquatics

General Pool Equipment

• Pool Store UK
• 1st Direct Pools
• All Swim

Premium Accessories

• Oase (pumps and filtration)
• Messner (German engineering)
• Blagdon (UK brand)

Starter Kit Recommendations

Essential Starter Kit (~£200)

• Quality skimmer net
• Basic test kit (pH, ammonia)
• Pond vacuum (manual)
• Thermometer

Comprehensive Kit (~£600)

• Above plus:
• Floating skimmer
• Digital pH meter
• Complete test kit
• Leaf netting
• Long-reach scissors

Premium Setup (~£1,500+)

• Above plus:
• Electric vacuum
• Smart monitoring
• Quality cover
• Automated skimmer

Maintenance Made Easy

With the right equipment, natural pool care takes just 15-30 minutes weekly. Invest in quality tools and the work feels effortless.

Ready to plan your natural pool? Start with our free AI visualisation to see what's possible in your garden.