With the current heatwave gripping the UK at the moment, it feels like the perfect time to revisit one of our favourite outdoor projects to date: Ashbourne Retreat in the Derbyshire Dales.

It's a project that proves a well-designed outdoor wellness space isn't just for the handful of hot weeks British summer gives us, it works just as hard in January as it does in June. And that's really the whole idea behind it. The humble garden hot tub has evolved into something bigger: a complete wellness experience that rivals an expensive spa membership, built right into your own back garden.

At Ashbourne Retreat, we designed an integrated outdoor circuit featuring a premium swim spa, traditional sauna room, and custom facilities, all built to function beautifully whatever the British weather throws at them.

Choosing the Right Outdoor Leisure Equipment

Successful outdoor wellness installations in the UK need equipment built specifically for our climate.

We connected our Ashbourne clients with a trusted swim spa supplier from our previous Shropshire Poolhouse project, Hydropool from Breeze House Designs, who provided helpful demonstrations, allowing our clients to test different models before making their decision.

They settled on the Hydropool 19EX Executive Trainer, a 9,000-litre swim spa with self-cleaning technology, excellent heat retention, and robust construction built for variable British weather. For the sauna, they chose a traditional coal-fired ZOKI sauna over infrared options, for the authentic experience and deeper heat it provides.

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Design for Natural Flow

The layout developed organically through conversation with the clients, rather than following a rigid predetermined circuit. This created natural movement between the swim spa, sauna, outdoor shower, and seating areas, each element connected, yet private.

Creating multiple outdoor water and heating installations also requires careful coordination of utilities; water supply, drainage, and electrical systems all needed to work together while ensuring reliable year-round operation.

Privacy, Views, and Year-Round Comfort

The rural setting benefits from natural privacy, neighbouring only farmland, but we still considered sightlines from the house. The pool area is screened by the main outbuilding we designed and built, while still making the most of the countryside views.

British weather demands robust heating. The swim spa's integrated heating keeps water comfortable year-round, while the sauna provides the kind of enveloping heat that makes a cold-weather wellness session genuinely restorative. Additional outdoor heaters around the seating and dining areas mean the whole space, including the outdoor kitchen, works as a true year-round entertaining hub.

Living With It

Our clients use the space daily, moving naturally between the spa, sauna, and seating areas, and value the privacy and countryside views as much as the wellness benefits themselves. The outdoor kitchen has also proved a brilliant space for entertaining family and friends.

On a Smaller Budget

You don't need a project this size to get the benefits. A compact hot tub or single-person infrared sauna, paired with simple outdoor cooking facilities, festoon lighting, and a few well-placed heaters, can deliver a similar feeling on a much smaller scale.

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If you'd like to talk about creating your own outdoor wellness space or landscaping design, get in touch.

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