As we wrap up the installation of another premium Hydropool at our Ashbourne Retreat project, we've been reflecting on a trend we've noticed in our residential projects this year – the growing popularity of swim spas and hot tubs in UK homes.

Is the Shifting Climate Changing our Lifestyle Choices?

With UK summers becoming noticeably warmer and longer, we're seeing more of our clients prioritise their outdoor living spaces, in ways that were once reserved for properties in warmer European countries (like my home country of Greece!)

The British garden is evolving, moving from a place that's enjoyed primarily in brief summer periods to an extension of the home that's used throughout much of the year.

While traditional in-ground swimming pools have always been considered a luxury in our climate, Hydropools and swim spas do offer a more practical alternative that's gaining traction among homeowners who want to make the most of their outdoor spaces.

A Better Alternative Than the Traditional Pool?

What makes Hydropools particularly appealing to our clients? Their versatility.

Providing year-round functionality, they can be used as exercise pools with adjustable currents for swimming, used for hydrotherapy reasons for relaxation and recovery, or simply as social areas for family enjoyment.

What better way to relax in an evening than in your own private spa?

Installing a Hydropool at a Shropshire Cottage

After completing a full internal renovation of a beautiful cottage in Shropshire, we moved on to design and build a custom outdoor pool house featuring a state-of-the-art Hydropool Swim Spa, complete with a dedicated home gym area and shower room.

Our team created this wonderful wellness space that the homeowners can enjoy all year round, regardless of the weather outside.

As these behind-the-scenes images from our Wood Cottage project show, installing a Hydropool is a complex undertaking that requires expertise and precision.

The process usually involves:
• Detailed site preparation and foundation work
• Specialised equipment for moving and positioning these heavy units
• Careful integration of water, electrical, and filtration systems
• Thoughtful landscaping and access considerations
• Weather protection elements for year-round use

A Growing Trend With Practical Benefits

While we would never encourage designs that contribute negatively to, or benefit from, climate change, we do recognise that adapting our living spaces to the changing weather patterns is becoming increasingly important to our clients.

We can appreciate the many practical advantages they offer:

• Energy efficiency compared to traditional pools
• Year-round usability with proper enclosure design and heat-loss prevention
• Therapeutic benefits beyond simple recreation
• Smaller footprint than conventional swimming pools
• Wellness benefits that support physical and mental health
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Bringing it All Together at Ashbourne Retreat

The newly completed outdoor Hydropool installation at Ashbourne Retreat in Derbyshire brings together all the expertise we've developed through previous projects like our Shropshire installation.

For homeowners considering a similiar addition to their property, we've found that the most successful projects consider the Hydropool as an integral element of the overall outdoor design rather than simply an add-on feature. This means thinking carefully about positioning, access, privacy, shelter, and how the space transitions from indoor to outdoor area, way before designs are approved.

We'll hopefully have the final photographs of Ashbourne Retreat's fully completed landscape design (including outdoor office/gym and cinema room) coming very soon!
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Is a Hydropool Right for Your Home?

If you're considering enhancing your outdoor living space with a Hydropool or swim spa, here are some key considerations to make before making the plunge:

• Available space and access for installation
• Intended use (exercise, therapy, family time)
• Desired integration with existing landscape and architecture
• Year-round usability and up-keep requirements
• Energy efficiency and running costs

Interested in exploring how a Hydropool might enhance your garden space? Feel free to contact us to discuss how we can help integrate this feature into your home and garden design, and advise you on the nearest Hydropool showroom in Staffordshire.

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