Note that this is a UKBAP species and was pleased to discover one today in our garden. Garden is small (approx 20ft x 20ft) but has a variety of habitats.
Today's sighting was late morning and the toad was beside the pond, hopped in when I inadvertantly scared it, and stayed there for about 15 mins. Was still there when I moved off.
The pond has a healthy frog population although no spawn seen.