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  • UK Wellness Retreats: How Saunas, Hot Tubs & Cold Plunges Boost Bookings

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    Rustic outdoor setting with a steaming Finnish Ofuro-style wooden hot tub and a grey barrel glamping pod, ideal for relaxation and Scandinavian-style hydrotherapy.

     

    Wellness tourism is accelerating rapidly, with the UK seeing an extraordinary 79% annual growth between 2020 and 2022, according to the Global Wellness Institute. And that momentum hasn’t slowed with demand for restorative, nature-based travel continuing to rise in 2025 as more people seek meaningful escapes that support their physical and mental well-being. (Global Wellness Institute

    Picture this: after a refreshing countryside hike, you slip into a steaming wood-fired hot tub beneath the stars, sweat out your stress in a cedar sauna, and then plunge into icy-cold water that leaves you feeling alive and recharged. This invigorating “fire-and-ice” ritual, alternating between heat and cold therapy, is quickly becoming the signature experience of luxury outdoor wellness retreats. Ready to offer that to your guests?

    Here are three standout UK glamping sites that are redefining outdoor wellness with hot tubs, saunas, and cold plunges at the heart of their guest experience.

     

    The Red Cabin – Kent, England

    Tucked away in the peaceful Wealden countryside, The Red Cabin offers a Scandinavian-style wellness experience wrapped in a luxe, off-grid package. This eco-conscious retreat is designed for guests who crave tranquillity, nature, and a touch of Nordic ritual in their getaway.

     

    Wellness Amenities:

    • Wood-fired sauna

    • Outdoor hot tub/cold plunge pool (you choose!)

    • Outdoor shower for extra refreshment

    • Yoga kit provided for mindful wellness

     

    You can book directly via their website, making for a seamless and personal reservation process.

    What makes The Red Cabin special is the way it blends simplicity with sensory luxury. Guests can unwind in the sauna, take a bracing cold plunge under fairy lights, then stretch out with a book or a quiet yoga session surrounded by nature. It’s a deeply rejuvenating space where slowing down comes naturally. 

    👉 See our 1-2 Person Oval Cold Plunge Tub

     

    Bright red glamping cabin with wraparound wooden decking, hot tub, and modern design, surrounded by open fields—perfect for luxury stays and nature-based holidays in the UK.

     

    Deerstone Glamping – Yorkshire Dales Border, England

    Set on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales with panoramic views of Pendle Hill, Deerstone Glamping is a dream escape for those seeking both adventure and deep relaxation. Surrounded by rolling hills and big skies, it’s a place where guests can fully immerse themselves in nature while enjoying thoughtful wellness experiences.

     

    Wellness Amenities:

    • Communal barrel sauna with sunset views

    • Cold plunge barrel

    • Private wood-fired hot tubs for 5 of the 6 domes

    • Optional “Sauna Evening” wellness experience

     

    In addition to its wellness features, guests can enjoy a quirky on-site Cinema Dome, adding a playful twist to their stay.

    Prices start from £195 per night (with a 2-night minimum), averaging around £390 for a weekend stay for two. Larger groups may incur additional charges. You can book directly through their website or via Booking.com, Coolstays, and Love Glamping.

    Deerstone stands out not just for its views, but for its family-friendly touches like the play area and luggage buggy rides. With its blend of rustic charm and wellness-focused luxury, it’s the kind of place where you can hike by day, soak by evening, and stargaze by night all without leaving your dome.

    👉 See our The "Infinity Glass" Luxury 10 Person Traditional Barrel Sauna

     

    Stunning glamping setup featuring a panoramic clear dome and a barrel sauna at Deerstone Glamping, with a glowing sunset reflected on the sauna’s glass—perfect for wellness getaways.

     

    Auchenhean Pods – Lochwinnoch, Scotland

    Located just 30 minutes from Glasgow, Auchenhean Pods offers a peaceful rural escape on a working farm, surrounded by rolling hills and expansive skies. It’s the perfect blend of quiet countryside charm and wellness-focused design, ideal for couples, families, or solo travellers looking to recharge.

     

    Wellness Amenities:

    • Private covered hot tubs for each pod

    • Brand-new wood-fired sauna with panoramic views

    • Cold plunge pool for authentic Scandi-style fire & ice therapy

     

    Prices range from £150–£180 per night for 2–4 guests. For example, The Den family pod starts at £158 per night. Bookings can be made via their official website, Glampsites.com, or Airbnb.

    What makes Auchenhean Pods special is how it seamlessly combines modern comforts like kitchens, heating, and Wi-Fi with an off-grid feel. Set next to Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, it’s easy to spend the day hiking or kayaking, then come back to a restorative evening of sauna sessions, cold plunges, and hot tub soaks under the stars.

    👉 See our Luxury Ofuro 5-8 Person Finnish Hot Tub

     

    Wooden glamping pod at Auchenhean with private firepit seating, picnic bench, and fenced surroundings—ideal for rural retreats and outdoor relaxation in the UK.

     

    Why “Fire & Ice” Wellness Is the Future of UK Glamping

    From Cornwall to the Scottish Lowlands, more glampsites are adding saunas, hot tubs, and cold plunges as standard. These amenities deliver:

    • Detox & stress relief (thanks to heat therapy)

    • Improved circulation & immunity (via cold immersion)

    • Unforgettable, Instagram-worthy moments

    Plus, they bring us back to what glamping is all about: slowing down, reconnecting with nature, and leaving recharged. These case studies show how savvy glampsite owners are tapping into this demand by offering transformative wellness experiences in the wild.

     

    Ready to Take the Plunge?

    Whether you're a first-time glamper or a seasoned wild retreat-goer, these standout sites prove that a little hot steam and an icy dip can go a long way. With the right setup, your next nature escape could be your most restorative experience yet.

    And if you're looking to bring this fire-and-ice magic to your own site, GlampLaunch is your go-to partner. We offer fully integrated Wellness Pods featuring wood-fired hot tubs, panoramic saunas, and cold plunge pools, all designed to elevate guest experience and boost bookings.

    Prefer a custom setup? Our wellness features are also available as standalone units, making them perfect for retrofitting existing glamping sites or creating a signature outdoor spa zone.

    From design to delivery, GlampLaunch helps you create unforgettable wellness stays, whether you’re launching a new site or levelling up an existing one. Don’t forget your swimsuit and your courage for that cold plunge. Let’s build your wellness retreat.

     

    Summary

    • Wellness tourism in the UK is booming, with strong demand for nature-based, restorative glamping experiences.

    • “Fire & Ice” therapy, combining saunas, hot tubs, and cold plunges, is now a signature feature of top wellness retreats.

    The Red Cabin in Kent offers a minimalist Nordic experience with a sauna, hot tub or cold plunge option, outdoor shower, and yoga kit.

    Deerstone Glamping on the Yorkshire Dales border features a communal sauna with sunset views, cold plunge barrel, private wood-fired hot tubs, and a quirky Cinema Dome.

    Auchenhean Pods in Scotland combines private hot tubs, a panoramic wood-fired sauna, and a cold plunge pool on a peaceful working farm near Glasgow.

    • These wellness features improve guest experience, support mental and physical health, and create memorable, marketable stays.

    GlampLaunch offers fully integrated or standalone wellness units to help site owners tap into this growing trend and boost bookings.

     

    FAQs

    1. What is fire-and-ice therapy in glamping, and why is it so popular?

    Fire-and-ice therapy is the combination of heat treatments, like saunas or hot tubs, with cold water immersion, such as cold plunge pools. This alternating method stimulates circulation, reduces inflammation, and boosts mental clarity. 

    In the glamping world, it creates a unique, rejuvenating guest experience that’s both physically restorative and highly Instagrammable. It's a growing trend across UK wellness retreats thanks to its powerful effects and share-worthy moments.

     

    2. Which UK glamping sites offer outdoor saunas, hot tubs, and cold plunge pools?

    Top UK glamping sites offering complete “fire-and-ice” wellness experiences include:

    The Red Cabin (Kent): Wood-fired sauna, hot tub or cold plunge, and yoga kit.

    Deerstone Glamping (Yorkshire Dales Border): Barrel sauna, cold plunge, and private hot tubs for most domes.

    Auchenhean Pods (Scotland): Panoramic sauna, private hot tubs, and cold plunge pool.

    These sites blend nature with luxury, helping guests disconnect, recharge, and experience nature-based wellness at its finest.

     

    3. What are the benefits of adding saunas and cold plunges to a glamping site?

    Adding outdoor saunas, hot tubs, and cold plunge pools can significantly enhance guest satisfaction and increase bookings. These amenities support:

    • Detoxification and stress relief

    • Improved sleep and immune function

    • Increased revenue through premium pricing

    They also align with the booming wellness tourism trend, making your glamping site more competitive and appealing to modern travellers seeking restorative, nature-based experiences.


    4. Can I add a wellness setup to an existing glamping site with GlampLaunch?

    Absolutely. GlampLaunch offers standalone wellness features, including saunas, wood-fired hot tubs, and cold plunge tubs, that can be retrofitted to existing glamping sites. For new builds, our fully integrated Wellness Pods combine all elements in one sleek, turnkey design.

    Whether you're upgrading your amenities or creating a signature spa zone, we help you deliver an unforgettable guest experience designed for relaxation, reconnection, and repeat bookings.

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