Where There's Water, There's Life by Rachel Bailey - BBC Gardeners' World Live 2025 - GardensDB Browse [ ![](/images/leaf_icon.svg) Gardens**DB** ](https://gardensdb.com) [ Gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) [ Shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) [ Studios ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) [ People ](https://gardensdb.com/people) [ Search gardens, designers, shows… ](https://gardensdb.com/search) [ Login ](https://gardensdb.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fgardensdb.com%2Fgardens%2Fwhere-theres-water-theres-life) [ Register ](https://gardensdb.com/register) [ ](https://gardensdb.com/search) Discover - [ Home ](https://gardensdb.com) - [ Gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) - [ Shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) - [ Events ](https://gardensdb.com/events) - [ 360° tours ](https://gardensdb.com/360-tours) - [ Trails ](https://gardensdb.com/trails) People & studios - [ People ](https://gardensdb.com/people) - [ Studios ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) - [ Books ](https://gardensdb.com/books) - [ Jobs ](https://gardensdb.com/jobs) Organisations - [ Sponsors ](https://gardensdb.com/sponsors) - [ Charity & non-profits ](https://gardensdb.com/charities) - [ Collectives ](https://gardensdb.com/collectives) - [ Companies ](https://gardensdb.com/companies) - [ Education ](https://gardensdb.com/education-institutions) - [ Nurseries ](https://gardensdb.com/nurseries) Account - [ Login ](https://gardensdb.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fgardensdb.com%2Fgardens%2Fwhere-theres-water-theres-life) - [ Register ](https://gardensdb.com/register) Follow [ gardensdb on Instagram (opens in a new tab)](https://www.instagram.com/gardensdb/) Discover - [ Home Today's highlights ](https://gardensdb.com) - [ Gardens Show gardens, catalogued ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) - [ Shows Horticultural shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) - [ Events Festivals, courses & open days ](https://gardensdb.com/events) - [ 360° tours Step inside, long after the show packs up ](https://gardensdb.com/360-tours) - [ Trails Curated routes through the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/trails) People & studios - [ People Designers, judges, growers ](https://gardensdb.com/people) - [ Studios Design practices ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) - [ Books Recommended reading ](https://gardensdb.com/books) - [ Jobs Roles in the industry ](https://gardensdb.com/jobs) Organisations - [ Sponsors Organisations that back the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/sponsors) - [ Charity & non-profits Causes behind the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/charities) - [ Collectives Groups & community projects ](https://gardensdb.com/collectives) - [ Companies Suppliers & contractors ](https://gardensdb.com/companies) - [ Education Schools, colleges & universities ](https://gardensdb.com/education-institutions) - [ Nurseries Plant suppliers & growers ](https://gardensdb.com/nurseries) [ Submit a garden ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens/submit) [ About GardensDB ](https://gardensdb.com/help) [ gardensdb on Instagram (opens in a new tab)](https://www.instagram.com/gardensdb/) ![A naturalistic garden features a blue metal pergola with a living roof, a timber boardwalk over a pond, an insect hotel, and lush green planting.](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/f17c8d30-d92b-4dd5-af6d-b47a95fa7aee/conversions/primary_image-gallery.webp) [Gardens](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) / [ BBC Gardeners' World Live 2025 ](https://gardensdb.com/shows/bbc-gardeners-world-live-2025) Show Garden ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/awards/bbc-gardeners-world-live-platinum-award/icon.webp) Platinum Award Where There's Water, There's Life =================================== Designed by Rachel Bailey At a glance Show BBC Gardeners' World Live Year 2025 Category Show Garden Large Show Garden Photo: GardensDB About this garden The story ----------- The ‘Where There’s Water, There’s Life’ garden highlights the vital connection between water, plants, people, and nature. It focuses on innovative design techniques that slow down water flow, ensuring it is conserved and used effectively in garden landscapes. A playful ephemeral ‘rill’ connects from the pergola green roof to the pond, flowing past the deck, adding a soothing sound and visual interest, whilst capturing rainwater following a cloud burst. Natural overflows from the pond into a rain garden as well as permeable surfaces allow water to infiltrate into the ground below. Habitat for wildlife other than freshwater species is nestled in amongst planting contributing to a garden oasis for wildlife. Whilst a shady seating area offers the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the pond’s tranquil beauty. By combining beauty with sustainability, this garden demonstrates how thoughtful design can enhance both the aesthetic and ecological value of outdoor spaces, creating environments where water nurtures life, promotes biodiversity, and strengthens our bond with the natural world. Awards Recognition ------------- - ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/awards/bbc-gardeners-world-live-platinum-award/icon.webp) Platinum Award BBC Gardeners World Live - ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/awards/bbc-gardeners-world-live-best-show-garden/icon.webp) Best Show Garden BBC Gardeners World Live - ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/awards/bbc-gardeners-world-live-best-construction-landscaper/icon.webp) Best Construction Landscaper BBC Gardeners World Live The people behind it Designer ---------- - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/people/rachel-bailey/profile_photo.webp) Rachel Bailey Designer Rachel Bailey Studio ](https://gardensdb.com/people/rachel-bailey) Photography Gallery --------- ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/f17c8d30-d92b-4dd5-af6d-b47a95fa7aee/conversions/primary_image-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/e2128734-e393-47ae-9309-a14de07f838d/conversions/PXL_20250611_172758934-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/ca393de5-9bdc-4c29-8eca-439f3388ba45/conversions/PXL_20250611_172807074-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/b86587d0-c8e0-4462-b8bc-308ea1064bce/conversions/PXL_20250611_172800420-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/c64e4123-efc2-45ec-a890-5f0519e8ded6/conversions/PXL_20250611_172810445-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/340e57db-79c2-4e03-8858-162c5f7089ba/conversions/PXL_20250611_172803992-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/cc036700-820d-4b39-b046-e7050d04a581/conversions/PXL_20250611_172816057-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/641f0dd1-145f-4d6d-b45e-1705538b2a6e/conversions/PXL_20250611_172833012-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/1bf1ccb5-a194-44b0-8250-7e43dfa11075/conversions/PXL_20250611_172836345-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/cff8440c-494c-4294-95b7-294e8309c641/conversions/PXL_20250611_172839572-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/75deea71-d881-45d2-908e-b354adefbe11/conversions/PXL_20250611_172829612-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/d82aa9a5-e8f1-4570-9499-f3a939ca853d/conversions/PXL_20250611_182500634-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/672ebdd3-df44-4f9b-a012-d1d200c245a4/conversions/PXL_20250611_182508846-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/966eced1-725c-4013-a0e9-4f6943fe0fb8/conversions/PXL_20250611_182502466-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/0367231b-62bc-43f5-8204-8721af039b84/conversions/PXL_20250611_182505244-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/6b76315a-90fa-4e02-8200-ac2c2c098f4f/conversions/PXL_20250611_172752580-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/14130ffd-f5b9-4088-984b-e9460dc8d970/conversions/primary_image-(2)-gallery.webp) ![]() / Hero image Set as hero Photo: Brought to life by Organisations --------------- ### Design Studio 1 - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/studios/rachel-bailey-studio/logo.webp) Rachel Bailey Studio ](https://gardensdb.com/studios/rachel-bailey-studio) ### Landscaper 1 - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/companies/design-it-landscapes/logo.webp) Design It Landscapes ](https://gardensdb.com/companies/design-it-landscapes) ### Plant Provider 1 - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/nurseries/j-a-jones-sons/logo.webp?v=39e22207-ce92-4054-9511-35094a25e863) J. A. Jones & Sons ](https://gardensdb.com/nurseries/j-a-jones-sons) ### Suppliers 11 - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/companies/niche/logo.webp) Niche Bee Posts ](https://gardensdb.com/companies/niche) - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/companies/eh-smith/logo.webp?v=92332f53-619a-445a-b33f-5837cb4df264) EH Smith ](https://gardensdb.com/companies/eh-smith) - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/companies/aquascape/logo.webp) Aquascape ](https://gardensdb.com/companies/aquascape) - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/companies/brouns-co/logo.webp?v=f7b39211-c738-46ef-b6bf-9caa4e3e6b2c) Brouns & Co ](https://gardensdb.com/companies/brouns-co) - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/companies/ced-stone-group/logo.webp) CED Stone Group ](https://gardensdb.com/companies/ced-stone-group) - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/companies/elveden-instant-hedge/logo.webp?v=82aece6d-ae66-4b65-954e-bcbffaf41a44) Elveden Instant Hedge ](https://gardensdb.com/companies/elveden-instant-hedge) - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/companies/field-and-thorn/logo.webp?v=0412b476-5c0d-4720-b6e8-5af0aea827f2) Field and Thorn ](https://gardensdb.com/companies/field-and-thorn) - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/companies/filshie-fabrications/logo.webp?v=0b20625f-79e7-4b3d-b04a-6875540b50ed) Filshie Fabrications ](https://gardensdb.com/companies/filshie-fabrications) - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/companies/gripsure/logo.webp?v=3c6b4911-4e39-46be-85e2-d545ceea9a62) Gripsure ](https://gardensdb.com/companies/gripsure) - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/companies/lawsons/logo.webp) Lawsons ](https://gardensdb.com/companies/lawsons) - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/companies/weather-it/logo.webp) Weather It ](https://gardensdb.com/companies/weather-it) ### Supporters 3 - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/charities/trustmark/logo.webp?v=dae52897-7484-47df-b627-8bcfcbe3f30e) TrustMark ](https://gardensdb.com/charities/trustmark) - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/companies/bradstone/logo.webp) Bradstone ](https://gardensdb.com/companies/bradstone) - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/companies/rolawn/logo.webp) Rolawn ](https://gardensdb.com/companies/rolawn) ![](/images/leaf_icon.svg) Gardens**DB** The world's largest collection of show gardens online, kept free, kept current, and shaped by the community that uses it. 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