Homes Extra: Pools & Hot Tubs

Create year-round holiday vibes in your very own back garden with the addition of a super fun and relaxing swimming pool or hot tub, says Sara Whatley 

Nothing speaks more highly of summer decadence and fun than your very own water feature. And no, I’m not talking about a tinkling fountain, I’m talking about serious water features – swimming pools and hot tubs. 

Give yourself the pleasure of dipping in for a refreshing swim at a moment’s notice or slipping into the hot tub and letting your cares drift away in the bubbles and steam. 

A swimming pool or hot tub make excellent additions to your home, providing hours of enjoyment for you and your family and friends. They are also great for health and mental wellbeing, and if you opt for a natural swimming pond, then the wildlife in your garden will thank you too. 

Let’s take a closer look at swimming pools, natural swimming ponds, and hot tubs, and you may feel inspired to take the plunge yourself and install one in your very own garden. 

Swimming pools 

A traditional swimming pool is a thing of joy. Splash around with the children or grandchildren, or up your daily fitness with some lengths. Water is kind to the body and joints yet provides ample resistance, making water exercises gentle yet effective. 

Swimming pools can be installed above ground or inground, depending on your wishes and land suitability. Above ground pools are generally more budget friendly as no excavations are needed. Ease of location is a bonus too, as is easy and fast installation, and portability if you move. 

Long lasting inground pools can blend more seamlessly into the landscape although an above ground pool can have a deck build around it to achieve the same aesthetic. But both can be styled fabulously to capture the holiday vibe with sun loungers, umbrellas, and fun inflatables. 

Other things to consider with swimming pools is the maintenance. You will need chemicals, cleaning, filters and pumps. Will your pool be heated? A low temperature even in summer makes for a comfortable swim, and with the addition of a solar cover water can reach and stay at balmy temperatures, allowing the fun to continue long into the autumn months, and longer if you wish. 

Natural swimming ponds 

For all the nature lovers out there, a natural swimming pond could be your dream come true. Immerse yourself in beautiful chemical free water and get up close and personal with plant and pond life. 

The main draw of a natural swimming pond is that you do not need to use chemicals to keep the water fresh and clear. Instead, a biological filtration system is utilised, cleaning the water through plants. Some say the water feels like silk on their skin, and does not make skin feel dry after swimming, which can happen in traditional swimming pools. 

Natural swimming ponds are broken up into a couple of different areas; the swimming area, and the regeneration zone, where the plants filter the water. The areas are separated to a certain extent, although the water must always be flowing between the two. 

The aesthetic of a natural swimming pond is unsurpassable, blending the boundaries between pond and swimming pool. However, with unlimited design possibilities, traditional looking pools can be created with the regeneration zone right off to one side.  

Although initially quite expensive to install, in the long run natural swimming ponds are low maintenance and low cost, but with a lifetime of natural swimming to enjoy. 

Hot tubs 

If swimming sounds like too much hard work then you, my friend, need a hot tub. Come home after a long day, sink into the warm bubbly water and let all your aches and pains ease away. 

Hot tubs can vary from basic models to all-singing-and-dancing numbers, with jets, music, chromotherapy and aromatherapy. But even a basic model will give you the luxury of gently massaging bubbles and warm relaxing water. 

Before you invest think about how many people you want to entertain in your hot tub, and what level of features would suit you. Being relatively small and portable hot tubs are suitable for most areas and are quick to install. 

Once you have your hot tub up and running then it is more energy efficient to maintain a constant temperature all year round (unless not in use for extended periods), allowing you to jump in whenever you fancy, making the most of the ultimate relaxation come rain, shine or even snow.