The best water feature will add height, depth, and a relaxing ambience to any outdoor space, big or small. A garden water feature is simply an unbeatable garden addition. The sight and sound of moving water help to create a tranquil and relaxing space with tall or larger water features in particular, making for a captivating centrepiece. And, we've written a round-up, helping you to find the best for your space.
Modern water features can add a dramatic element to your garden design with the long fall of cascading water creating a zen-like atmosphere. We also think they make for quite elegant structures, which only puts emphasis on the thought and care you've put into the design of your garden. Tall water features come in loads of materials, such as metal, rock and silk slate for modern or ornate designs.
Best tall water features at a glance:
• Best overall: Dunelm Outdoor Spiral Water Feature - view at Dunelm
• Best for intricate design: Delmira Metal Tiered Fountain - view at Wayfair
• Best value: Bermuda Salvador Water Feature 34 x 22 x 98cm - view at Robert Dyas
Some incorporate lighting effects for added drama, whilst you might find some with multiple tiers - as with all, the water spouts from the top so that water can trickle or pour down. They also come in mains or solar-powered varieties so you can find the right one to suit your space and water feature needs.
Despite all being classed as 'tall', they do come in an array of different heights with some water features simply being elevated, whilst others have water that cascades down. Modern Gardens is here to help you find the most suitable tall water feature to suit your budget and your garden design. Whatever you want from a tall water feature, you'll find it here. There are some affordable water features, too.
Best overall
Striking and tranquil, this Spiral Water Feature from Dunelm will stand out in any garden space. Helping create a peaceful ambience with its warm white LED lights, and water pump flow with a wattage motor, it delivers a steady and relaxing stream of water that will soothe your senses and help you unwind. Crafted from UV-stable and frost-resistant materials it is durable and low maintenance. Not only that, but it comes in three colourways; Sandstone, by far, being our favourite of the bunch.
Pros
- Unique spiralled design
- Will stand out in any garden
- Made from sturdy materials
Cons
- Mains operated - may not suit all gardens
| Dimensions | H82cm x W35cm x D35cm |
| Material | 100% Polyresin |
| Power | Mains |
Best value tall water feature
This Bermuda Salvador Water Feature from Robert Dyas is great value for a top-quality water feature. It is made of high-quality polyresin and is both light and easy to install. The built-in LED lights in the water feature create a simply stunning effect which is great to watch during the day or night. Simply plug in and fill with water and you're ready to go. It's UV stable and frostproof, so you won't need to worry about this tall water feature come winter. It promises stunning, year-round relaxation...
Pros
- Promises easy maintenance
- Great value water feature
- Energy-saving LED lights
Cons
- May be too bulky for some gardens
| Dimensions | Height: 98cm, Width: 22cm |
| Material | Polyresin |
| Power | Mains |
Best for intricate design
www.wayfair.co.uk
Suitable for indoors and outdoors, this unusual and delicate tiered fountain is made from durable iron and has 19 tiers. As water cascades from one cup to the next, it makes soft sounds to help you relax. The Delmira Metal Tiered Fountain has the pump included and will be a statement piece no matter where you place it. We love the rustic, silver colour - whose antique look will suit cottage gardens.
From a handful of reviews at Wayfair, this tall water feature has earned a stunning 4.1/5 star rating, with customers loving how sturdy and beautiful-looking it is. One customer said it was very easy to set up. Another calls it "perfect, tall, slim, a real statement piece" and adds that it looks great even without water running. However, one customer found the pump to be a little noisy, which can ruin the delicate trickle of water as it cascades down the feature, hitting the leaves along the way.
Pros
- Stylish antique look
- Mimics the sound of a real waterfall
- Great for small spaces
Cons
- One customer says the pump is a little noisy
| Dimensions | 178cm H X 51cm W X 36cm D |
| Material | Metal |
| Power | Mains |
Best tall water feature with a bowl
go.skimresources.com
This striking Living and Home Outdoor Cylindrical Water Polo Fountain with Warm Light will bring a wonderful sound and dynamic combination to your garden. The water pours over the sphere mounted on top of a column, for a tall and grand water feature that's neatly contained. It adopts an electric five-metre-long outdoor water pump and is equipped with LED lights. Crafted from high-quality resin, this Polo Water Fountain can be moved around easily and stands the test of time. We adore the warm light built into the top of the sphere which will illuminate this feature at night.
Pros
- Attractive greystone finish
- Simply plug in and go
- Great for larger gardens
Cons
- Might be too large for smaller spaces
| Dimensions | Width: 26cm; Height: 86cm; Depth: 26cm |
| Material | Resin |
| Power | Mains |
Best modern tall water feature
www.robertdyas.co.uk
Made from UV and frost-stable fibre-clay, this Ivyline Outdoor Contemporary Water Feature is both lightweight and durable - making it a fab addition to any modern garden layout. The attractive two-tone grey trough water feature comes with inbuilt LED lighting and an elegant pouring waterfall to the centre. Fitted with everything you need to set it up, it's a great addition to your space. The warm LED lights will provide a little illumination as the night grows dark, and the waterfall-style pour will create a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere. This serene feature is UV stable and frost resistant, too.
Pros
- Features warm, in-built LEDs
- Unique, attractive design
- Lightweight - easy to move
Cons
- Need to keep on top of algae build-up
| Dimensions | W31cm x D80cm x H81cm |
| Material | Cement |
| Power | Mains |
Best traditional-style tall water feature
Primrosewww.primrose.co.uk
This traditional Solar Powered Slate Falls LED Water Feature is a sought-after design that helps create a relaxing and calming atmosphere in your garden. We love the slate design as it almost conceals itself into your garden. Primrose says it's perfect for adding a new "sensory element" to your outdoor space, which can instil a sense of calm and serenity. We love that it's solar-powered, meaning your electricity bills aren't going to be run up. You can position it anywhere in your garden - as it has a back-up battery, whether nestled by some trees or pop in a central position on your lawn or patio.
Pros
- Solar-powered - saving on your bills!
- Handmade to achieve a rustic feel
- Easy to run with a back-up battery
Cons
- Make sure to pop in a sunny spot
| Dimensions | 62 x 25 x 32 cm |
| Material | Polyresin |
| Power | Solar with a back-up battery |
Tall water feature FAQs
How do you look after a tall water feature?
Whatever the material, your chosen or DIY tall water features should be cleaned regularly to prevent a buildup of dirt, debris, and algae as this may interfere with the flow of the water.
Give it a wipe-over every couple of weeks - even if it's just with a damp cloth. If you've got a stainless steel water feature, you can buy a stainless steel cleaner that will help keep the reflections looking beautiful and will also add to the longevity of the water feature.
What is a flow rate?
Unlike small water features, taller features with multiple levels are always going to be louder than a low-bubbling pool, so it's worth investing in a taller feature if you want to detract from noisy surroundings. The shape of a water feature makes a difference and you need to decide whether you want a noise-masking gush from a towering waterfall or a quietly soothing trickle from a pond water feature.
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.
Luckily, 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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Hannah Mellin is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Modern Gardens, A Modern Kitchen, Yours and Take A Break. She has been working in the Journalism industry for over a decade and has written for an array of brands including John Lewis, Daily Mirror and Grazia. When she's not writing, researching or testing products, she's renovating her Victorian terrace and chilling in the garden with her sausage dog Waffle.