The Plunge Pool - possibly the smallest of natural swimming pools

David Pagan Butler builds his own natural swimming pools – pools full of plants and animals that keep the water healthy without using chemicals – at a fraction of the cost of a contractor's fee. He uses recycled materials wherever possible and aerates the pool with a small photovoltaic cell and a bubbler, the kind you would find in a fish tank. The result is a stunning ecosystem that both people and nature can enjoy.

Here are David's children playing in the small plunge pool that he made for his DIY DVD. He made the film so you too can have a swimming pool, even in a fairly small garden. Bliss!

Natural Swimming Pools – a guide to designing & building your own is available from Green Shopping for just £17.90 (rrp £19.95)