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Your garden should be a harmonious place that can be enjoyed all year round. It gives you limitless opportunities to build your very own ecosystem and watch nature take its course. Adding a cascading water feature can help enable this ecosystem. It gives you an excuse to build out a flower bed with the feature at the centrepiece. Combine the soothing sound of running water surrounding a blossoming garden. Small garden birds may find homage there, escaping from a nearby bird table to enjoy the water. By adding a cascading water feature with lights you can spotlight sections of your garden so they can be admired day and night. The lights on these water fountains are typically not harsh spotlights but LED lights that give the greatest amount of brightness possible without creating a harsh glare.

There’s also something therapeutic about stepping out into your garden and having water peacefully trickle over the rocks, basking in the sun that beams upon it. The features can make exceptional homes for the pond life, keeping any fish you may have happy and healthy. Why not consider building out your water feature, adding plants, trees and shrubs? Create an ecosystem that is rich with nutrients, bird seeds and flowers that bees can pollinate. You could go one further an add in a hammock stand to relax in whilst you watch the world go by. A study in 2013 showed that water features were found to improve mental wellbeing. The evidence showed that people responded better when being exposed to water features, even without any fish in them. The soothing sound of a water feature can truly become the focal point in your garden. Some of these amazing water features are completely solar-powered offering more flexibility in where they can be set-up. None of us ever like to feel as though we’re restricted. Your garden can be the showcase piece of your home that you’ve always dreamt of having. A water feature creates the aura of an, often-needed, relaxing and tranquil environment, that breaks up a flower garden and creates a point of interest that lasts all year-round. Below we review 7 of the best cascading water features below, taking into account style, design, price and much more.

1

GardenKraft 12260 1 Tier Cascading Barrel Fountain

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This GardenKraft 12260 1 Tier Cascading Barrel Fountain is a barrel-shaped feature built around an upstanding light post in the centre of the centrepiece. Curving upwards out of the barrel are four lotus leaves for the water to gently flow over. The top leaf has a whimsical coy fish in the centre and a beautifully perched butterfly on the edge of the lotus leaf.

This wood effect barrel part of the water fountain is built from ultra-durable plastic and the standing lamp post in the centre is made from iron. This ensures it is weatherproof against even the harshest of seasons meaning that you can enjoy the soothing sounds of flowing water in all its beauty all year round. 

The LED lights are solar powered so they will not add to the burden of your energy bill. The lights absorb the sun during the day and then flicks on automatically in the evening when it sets. The fountain does require being plugged in to work the pump, so the feature comes with a 2.5 metre cable, offering some flexibility on where it can be set up. 

Key Features:

Solar powered LED lights

High-pressure water pump

Weatherproof ultra-durable plastic and iron

Specification:

Brand

GardenKraft

Dimensions

H: 90 cm x W: 41 cm

Weight

3.5 kg

Material

Plastic & Iron

Pros

Simple to set-up

Solar powered LED lights means the structure can be enjoyed at night

Self-contained water pump

Cons

The pump cord is quite short

2

Geezy 5 Tier Cascading Water Feature with LED Lights

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This Geezy 5 Tier Cascading Water Feature with LED Lights water feature is small in stature so it can be used in large gardens, small gardens, or even in little flower beds. At first glance the trunk appears to be made of wood, but it is actually made of a lightweight polyresin material. It’s lightweight, portable and self-contained meaning you can easily pick this up and move it anywhere you want.

The water cascades down from the smallest opening on the top of the feature down to the open space at the foot of the trunk. The 5 tiered trunk fountain is a sleek and subtle design that would compliment any garden with a residing pond nearby. The addition of LED lights nestled within the structure also means that the water feature can be enjoyed after the sun sets.

The polyresin that makes up the structure of the fountain is weather-resistant against all the elements. You won’t expect to see any signs of the material fading when faced with direct exposure to the sun and it will not endure damage in the colder temperatures during the winter months.

Key Features:

Led Lights that illuminate the water

Self-contained

Frost resistant and UV light resistant

Specification:

Brand

Geezy

Dimensions

H: 41 cm x L: 27 cm x W: 20 cm

Output

220 - 240 v

Material

Polyresin

Pros

Has a realistic stone appearance

The LED lights allow you to enjoy the waterfall at night

No reservoir is required it is completely self-contained

Cons

Needs to be plugged in to be operated

3

Five Fall Boulder Water Feature With Lights

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You may wish to consider installing bird netting over your plants after you build Five Fall Boulder Water Feature. Birds, butterflies and other creatures will be attracted to the cool running water that flows from it, providing an .

The large, natural-looking, four tiered rock structure creates an eye-catching focal point for your garden. It is made of tough polyresin meaning it is fully weatherproof, withstanding the gruelling exposure to the sun in the summer and the bitter cold frost in the winter, without it being compromised or incurring any damage.

Despite its large stature, at 10.4 kg the self-contained water feature is light enough that one person can easily carry it from one place to another. The 10 metre cable also gives more freedom in where the fountain can be set up. The built in LED’s light up the structure when night falls allowing the water feature to blossom as the true centrepiece of any garden.

Key Features:

White LED lights illuminate the fountain at night

Self-contained

Produces a quiet sound of water flowing over a rock

Specification:

Brand

Aqua Creations

Dimensions

H: 100 cm x W: 59 cm x Depth: 47 cm

Weight

10.4 kg

Material

Polyresin

Pros

A real showstopper centrepiece that looks brilliantly when lit up at night

Natural-looking and realistic feature

Self-contained means that all water is contained within the structure. Suitable for indoor use.

Cons

Pump isn't strong enough to work with a pond

4

Kyoto Three Bowl Cascade Garden Patio Water Feature

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The beautifully rustic-looking Kyoto Three Bowl Cascade Garden Patio Water Feature is one of our favourite self-contained pieces that wouldn’t look out of place at a temple. The three bowl structure is made from durable resin-stone and lights up with the subtle addition of white LED lights that are built into the bowls themselves.

The feature is both child and pet safe, running on a low voltage system that has far lower running costs than some of the similarly-styled models that are available. Everything you need comes within the pack, both the pump and the connecting cable. The cable itself is a generous 10 metres, giving you a little more flexibility in where you choose to set it up.

The structure itself would look best nestled in a flowerbed of devils ivy near a pond, due to the darker shade of resin-stone that the structure is built with.

Key Features:

Built in LED lights

Self-contained

Low voltage pump

Specification:

Brand

Kyoto

Dimensions

H: 49 cm x W: 31 cm

Weight

13 kg

Material

Resin-stone

Pros

Resin-stone presents a rustic style water feature that will light up your garden at night

Self-contained means that you don't need a pump or constant running of water to enjoy

Safer structure due to low voltage pump

Cons

10 metre cable may be limiting

5

Outsunny Cascading Wooden Water Feature

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The unique Outsunny Cascading Wooden Water Feature is a two barrel system, pumping water from the bottom barrel up through the structure and out through the spout to create a waterfall effect. It repeats the process, filling up the top barrel and overflowing into the bottom whilst emitting a soothing, tranquil sound. The pump works at a rate of 3600 a minute and a clever switch helps regulate the volume of water.

The two tiered wooden barrels are built out of durable fir wood and steel, ensuring that they are both weatherproof and season-proof. It is designed to be used outdoors and would look best on a patio, surrounded by plants.

The water pump can also be switched out for a solar water pump alternative, should you wish to negate the need for a mains connection.

Key Features:

Made from weatherproof fir wood and steel

Switch regulates volume of water

Self-contained

Specification:

Brand

Outsunny

Dimensions

46 x 46 x 26 cm

Weight

6 kg

Material

Fir wood & Steel

Pros

Easy to assemble

Has CE certification

Unique barrel-style looks great in most gardens

Cons

No LED lights

6

Aphrodite Ceramic Solar Cascade Patio Garden Water Feature

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The handmade Aphrodite Ceramic Solar Cascade Patio Garden Water Feature is one of our favourite solar powered models. The moss-green aphrodite hibernates the feature in amongst a busy a flowerbed, leaving just the soothing sound of water trickling down. The feature has a series of 4 glazed, ceramic bowls that are filled by the ceramic pitcher of water that sits on top of them.

The solar powered feature comes complete with a set of white LED lights that can be placed at the foot of the fountain and bring the feature to life at night. The solar panels charge the battery during the day, though it does also come with a 5m cable should you wish to enjoy it outside of sunnier seasons. The ceramic pieces are built to withstand all seasons, both extreme sun and extreme winter. As the fountain is solar powered, the sun won’t bleach the ceramic glaze and the frost of the coldest winter won’t crack the tiles, giving you more freedom to leave it out in the elements.

Take a seat on your garden storage bench and bask in the tranquil sound of soothing water cascading down the handcrafted ceramic jugs that make up this beautiful water feature. You may even need a bird net to stop the wildlife congregating at the base.

Key Features:

Solar powered with battery back-up

Handcrafted ceramic pieces

White LED Lights

Specification:

Brand

Direct Global Trading

Dimensions

H: 53 cm x W: 32 cm

Pros

High quality LED illuminates the feature at night

Self-contained unit that requires little maintenance

Cons

5m cable may be limiting

7

Kendal Three Tier Cascade Water Feature

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The Kendal Three Tier Cascade Water Feature is a classic, three tiered bowl feature that cascades from top to bottom. The natural stone-look feature is actually made up of the robust polyresin which is weatherproof, ensuring protection against the UV rays of the sun and the coldest frost of winter. At 16 kg and 85 cm tall, the feature guarantees sturdiness and stability – even in the windiest of conditions.

The subtle integration of the LED lights illuminate the water as it flows across the four tiers of the Kendal cascade, allowing you to enjoy the feature on a warm summers night if you wish.

We’re a huge fan of self-contained units and the Kendal model here is no different, you won’t need to provide an additional reservoir of water. You may have to refill the unit with water from time to time if it sits outside in the sunlight for days on end. The natural look and feel of the Kendal model makes it one of our favourite choices and would be a tranquil addition to any home.

Key Features:

Solar powered feature

White LED lights

Self-contained unit

10 metre power cable

Specification:

Brand

Primrose

Dimensions

H: 85.5 cm x W: 39 cm

Weight

16 kg

Pros

Expectational attention to detail in the craftsmanship of the design

Polyresin protects against all seasons

illuminates at night

Cons

Larger unit may not suit all gardens

What to look for in a water feature

There are many different styles of cascading water features that don’t break the bank.

The best thing about them is their versatility to fit in gardens of all shapes and sizes, including those that sit on a slope, those that are uneven and even those that are cobbled and without grass.

Before you fall in love with a certain design, you always need to consider all aspects of a water feature before taking the plunge. If a wrong decision is made, your new tranquil spot for meditation can become a headache and give you the opposite of what you were looking for.

Solar Water Features

Solar cascade water features work by using the energy transmitted by the sun to work the pump of the water feature without the need for electricity. They’re great for those that have a garden, or patches of garden, that face the sun and require little maintenance. Not having to connect them to the mains also removes the limitation of only being able to set it up where access is permitted.

Water Features with Lights

Such is the evolution of water features that they can now be enjoyed when the sun sets and night time is upon us. The subtle use of LED lights throughout a cascading water feature with lights can add to the illuminating effect of the water, brightening it up as it trickles and weaves in between the structure of the feature. In most cases, the feature will need connecting to a power source which can be a downside if this is not easily accessible.

Cascading Water Wall Feature

Cascading water wall features are features that make use of a backing wall to aid the cascading of water. Popular choices are mini-waterfalls that lead into a pond full of fish and wildlife. Alternatively it could be a smaller feature that resembles more of a fountain, mounted onto a brick or stone wall. These are usually cheaper in price and are far easier to set-up.

3 Bowl Cascade Water Feature

An ever-growing popular choice is the 3 bowl water feature. Many now come with built-in LED lights which illuminates the water as it flows from one bowl to the next. These often come in stone or wood and are typically economical with space, due to being built upwards instead of outwards. Ensure that the mains wire they come with is sufficient to ensure that you’re not overly limited on where you can set it up.

Water & Power Source

Where will your water feature get power from? Most models now use solar power but will that suit your vision? Is there enough sunlight in this area to power your water feature and is there a convenient place for the solar panel that won’t look unsightly?

If your water feature is going to be a grand statement piece or placed in a corner not exposed to direct sunlight, then you may have to think about mains power. It’s worth asking an electrician to come round and give an estimate as all gardens vary and this could be relatively cheap or end up costing a fortune so it’s good to know beforehand!

There’s nothing more unsafe than an extension cable left alone in the outdoors, so you definitely need to get a professional in to do a safe job.

Now, where will the water supply come from? Most water features use a reservoir of water which pumps this around the feature and pretty much looks after itself, aside from the occasional top-ups during the warmer months. All the ones featured here are self-contained, meaning that you don’t need to burden the expensive connecting it to a mains.

Cleaning

Nature is beautiful, but it can also be unsightly. Your lovely new water feature can quickly become dirty, especially in winter, if you won’t care for it. Slime, gunge and debris can build up causing not just an eye-sore, but also cause problems in the pump.

When choosing your feature, consider the maintenance that comes with it. Are you willing to give it a good clean at least twice a year? This could also impact where you place it. You don’t want to place in it the middle of a large pond if you aren’t willing to take a sponge to it.

Safety First

As tranquil as water can be, it can also be a danger. Small children and pets can drown in even the tiniest amount of water. 

Placement of your feature should be where they can’t get to it, if this isn’t possible you should install a fence or a barrier to keep them away. Make sure this is installed before you fill up your feature with water. 

FAQ

What can I put in my water feature to stop it going green?

A solution of diluted bleach with one part bleach to nine parts water can help kill and prevent algae. But use bleach with caution because it is toxic to children and animals. Another option is to use a mix of white vinegar and water. Vinegar is safe and is effective on algae and will clean your water feature brilliantly.

What kills algae naturally?

  1. Kill algae with naturally solutions like aquatic plants which absorb nutrients. As a living organism, algae draws nutrients from the water in order to live. Add some more attractive, wanted plants (such as lily pads, cattails, or watercress) to your pond that will suck up all of those nutrients and stop algae from being able to grow.
  2. Avoid overfeeding your fish to stop leftover food from rotting. If you have fish in your pond make sure any extra food isn’t left in the pond as this will rot and cause excess algae growth.
  3. Add barley straw to the pond to slowly kill the algae. As it rots, barley straw will slowly release small amounts of hydrogen peroxide that will kill any algae growing in your pond.

Can I build my own cascading water feature?

Yes you can! We’ve linked a DIY video for you here.

Further Reading

If you would like to read more about water features, click here.

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