Affordable water features under £150 to bring tranquility

The sound of a babbling brook or a cascade of water is soothing for the mind. The feeling of being close to nature is very grounding, and affordable water features are an excellent way of replicating that feeling of taking refuge in the countryside. If we were to close our eyes, we could envision being in a natural paradise with a tranquil waterfall or stream.

Water features and water bowls also add a beautiful eye-catching focal point to your garden and come in a variety of styles, sizes and prices. Making your outdoor space beautiful does not need to be overly expensive, so we have rounded up the best affordable water features ranging from the £20 marker through to £150.

Why invest in a water feature, you may ask? Well, Vincent Mouilinier from Primrose, the UK's leading online garden centre, tells us, "The sound of gently trickling water should keep you relaxed on a hot summer’s day and in winter it will add some life to an otherwise dead feeling garden."

He adds, "If you choose the right type of feature for your garden, they can easily enhance its value. Not all water features need a water supply. If it’s a self-contained unit, then you’ll just need to top it up occasionally. However, if it has moving water, you’ll need a water supply and electricity." From gorgeous basins to tall water features, we have rounded up our favourite water features for under £150, so you can add a touch of tranquillity to your outdoor sanctuary.

Best affordable water features under £100

Where should I put my outdoor water feature?

This is entirely up to you, but one thing we would say is to place your water feature where it can be appreciated the most and don’t be afraid to move it depending on the season or how you wish to use your garden.

Vincent suggests placing it away from overhanging branches if it’s an open pond and away from other decorative items if it’s going to be a statement piece, "If it’s a flat water wall, then consider what planting to put around it. Most water features work in the same way, with a reservoir of water and a pump that moves water up a pipe. Gravity then brings the water back down to fall into the reservoir."

A water feature is a great way to introduce light and movement to an otherwise undecorated area to create a focal point. When deciding on its position, consider how you could enhance the surrounding areas to bring attention to it. Water features come in many different shapes and sizes: from back-to-wall features to tall and stately spirals or curvy bowl and sphere pairings that go centre-stage on the patio.

You could paint the wall behind a tall and airy cascade to showcase the water flow and make it stand out, or you could place a bubbling stone basin into a dry river of pebbles - and use grass to decorate. Use your imagination and creativity to make it your own.

What is the flow rate of water features?

It is good to know what a flow rate is before you buy. Ask yourself if you would prefer a gushing sound or a quiet, gentle trickle. Most taller features with multiple levels will always be louder than a low bubbling pool, so it's worth investing in a taller feature if you want to detract from noisy surroundings.

By looking at the water flow rate of a garden water feature, you will find out just how much water is pushed through it. Plus, you'll know how much noise it will make.

Water features typically come with a pump that is appropriate for the size and volume of their design. Usually measured in gallons per minute (GPM), this measurement defines the rate at which the pump can push water through the system; the higher the rate, the noisier it will be.

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