Campsites With Hot Tubs in the UK: Glamping, Spa Breaks and Thermal Baths
· Updated
Britain has no natural hot springs you can camp beside. The country has exactly one place where you can bathe in naturally heated thermal water, and that is the city of Bath. So a "thermal spa camping" trip here means one of three things: a glamping site with a private hot tub, a campsite near a spa hotel or thermal bath, or a base near a heated lido. That is the honest version, and it is a far better weekend than a bubbling natural spring you will not find.
The good news is that hot tub glamping has exploded across the UK, and you can now soak under the stars in a private wood-fired tub in Cornwall, Cumbria or the Welsh hills without a hotel in sight. This guide covers where to find campsites with hot tubs, what to expect, how to book, and how to pair a soak with a genuinely relaxing few days. It is part of our guide to planning your first camping trip, from Camping Sites in Britain, where you can find and compare campsites, caravan parks and glamping across the country.
The three ways to do a spa camping break in Britain
There is no single "thermal spa campsite" in the UK, so pick the version that matches what you actually want. Each one delivers the soak, the quiet and the reset, just in a different setting and at a different price.
| Option | What you get | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Hot tub glamping | A private hot tub at your pitch, pod, lodge or bell tent | Couples and families who want privacy and the outdoors together |
| Campsite near a spa | Camping or glamping within driving distance of a day spa or thermal bath | Anyone wanting proper spa treatments plus a cheaper base |
| Campsite near a lido or wild swim | A pitch near a heated open air pool or a natural swimming spot | Swimmers who want the water without the spa price tag |
Most people booking a "thermal spa" trip actually want the first option, a private hot tub, which is why the rest of this guide leans that way.
Hot tub glamping: what to expect
A hot tub glamping site gives you your own tub for the duration of your stay, usually right outside a shepherd's hut, safari tent, geodome or timber lodge. The tub is yours alone, which is the whole appeal, and you can be in it at midnight with a glass of wine and nobody else in sight.
Tubs come in two main types. Wood-fired tubs take two to three hours to heat and need topping up with logs, which is part of the ritual for some people and a chore for others. Electric or plumbed tubs hold temperature at the flick of a thermostat, so they are ready when you arrive and stay warm all weekend. Check which one you are booking, because a cold wood-fired tub on a wet arrival evening is a slow start.
Expect the pitch to be more private than a standard campsite, often in its own screened plot rather than an open field. Bring swimwear, flip flops, a dressing gown and a torch for the walk back in the dark. Since a soak is not a substitute for a proper wash, it helps to read our tips on maintaining personal hygiene while camping before you go, especially if the site has basic facilities.
Where to find hot tub campsites in the UK
Hot tub glamping clusters in the national parks and the scenic corners of the country, because that is where people want to slow down. Four regions stand out.
The Lake District and Cumbria
The Lake District is the strongest hot tub glamping region in England, with lodges and pods tucked into the fells around Windermere, Keswick and the Eden Valley. A tub with a view down a valley after a day on the hills is hard to beat. Browse options across our Lake District campsite listings to see what is close to the walks you want.
Cornwall and the South West
Cornwall pairs hot tub glamping with the coast, so you can walk a cliff path, swim in the sea and finish in a warm tub the same day. Sites near the north coast around Bude and Newquay, and the south around the Roseland, tend to book out first for school holidays. Start with our Cornwall campsite listings.
Wales and the Brecon Beacons
Mid and South Wales have a growing number of off-grid hot tub retreats, often wood-fired and genuinely remote, in the hills around the Brecon Beacons and the Wye Valley. These are the ones to pick if you want dark skies and no phone signal.
Scotland and the Highlands
Scotland offers hot tub lodges beside lochs and glens, brilliant in autumn and winter when a soak in the cold air is at its best. Just check the midge situation for summer bookings, since a tub by still water on a warm July evening can be hard work. Our Highlands campsite listings are a good starting point.
Bath: the only real thermal waters in Britain
If it has to be genuine thermal water, it has to be Bath. Thermae Bath Spa is the only place in Britain where you can bathe in naturally hot, mineral-rich spring water, most famously in the open air rooftop pool of the New Royal Bath with the city spread out below. The neighbouring Roman Baths are a museum you look at rather than swim in, so the spa is where you actually get in the water.
There is no campsite in the centre of Bath, but there are caravan parks and campsites within a short drive in the surrounding Somerset countryside and the Cotswolds. The sensible plan is to camp out of town, drive or take the bus in, and book your spa session in advance because peak weekend slots sell out. Check current sessions and prices on the Thermae Bath Spa website before you travel.
Spa hotels and lidos near campsites
You do not need thermal water to get the spa feeling, and a day spa or heated lido near your pitch does most of the job for a fraction of a spa hotel stay. Many country house hotels sell day passes to their pool, sauna and steam rooms, and a morning treatment followed by an afternoon back at camp is a lovely way to split a break.
Heated open air lidos are the budget version and there are some beauties, from Sandford Parks in Cheltenham to the art deco pools dotted around the coast. For a wilder soak, a river or tarn near your site scratches the same itch, and our guide to wild swimming spots near campsites lists where to find safe, scenic water across the country.
Booking a spa camping trip
Book the tub or the spa slot first, then build the trip around it. Private hot tub glamping is the scarcest part, so it goes early, particularly for weekends, bank holidays and school holidays. Aim to book several months ahead for summer and sort the spa session at the same time.
- Confirm the tub type and heating time. Wood-fired tubs need lighting hours before you want to get in, so ask whether staff light it or you do
- Ask what is included. Some sites charge extra for the hot tub, logs, or towels on top of the pitch price
- Check the changeover cleaning. A reputable site drains and refills or fully treats the tub between guests, which is worth asking about outright
- Read the pitch privacy. "Hot tub" in the listing does not always mean private, so confirm it is yours alone and not shared
- Budget realistically. Hot tub glamping typically runs from around £150 to £300 a night depending on region, season and how smart the lodge is, well above a standard pitch
Running through a pre-camping checklist the week before will stop the small mistakes that take the shine off an expensive weekend.
Making it a proper relaxing break
The point of a spa camping trip is to actually switch off, so plan it lighter than a normal camping weekend. Two or three nights beats one, because a single night is mostly setting up and packing down. Leave the itinerary loose, pick a site with a good pub or food van nearby, and resist the urge to fill every day with driving.
A hot tub is at its best in cooler weather, so autumn and winter breaks are underrated for exactly this kind of trip. Steam rising off the water in October air is the whole idea. If you are travelling as a couple, our guide to a romantic camping getaway covers the details that turn a soak into a proper escape.
Frequently asked questions
Are there any natural thermal spring campsites in the UK?
No. Britain has no natural hot springs you can camp beside. The only place to bathe in naturally hot thermal water is Thermae Bath Spa in the city of Bath, and there is no campsite in the centre, though caravan parks and campsites sit within a short drive.
How much does hot tub glamping cost in the UK?
Expect roughly £150 to £300 a night, depending on the region, the season and how upmarket the lodge is. Weekends, bank holidays and school holidays cost more and book out earliest, so reserve several months ahead for summer stays.
What should I pack for a hot tub camping trip?
Bring swimwear, flip flops, a dressing gown or warm robe, a towel each, and a torch for getting back to the tent in the dark. Check whether towels and logs for wood-fired tubs are included or cost extra.
Are hot tubs at campsites private or shared?
It depends on the site. Many glamping pitches include a private tub for your group alone, but some campsites run a shared communal tub. Always confirm which you are booking, because the listing word "hot tub" does not guarantee privacy.
When is the best time for a hot tub camping break?
Autumn and winter are best, when cold air makes a warm soak feel far better and sites are quieter and cheaper. Summer works too, though in Scotland and the north west, check the midge forecast before booking a tub near still water.
Are campsite hot tubs safe for children?
Generally yes, with supervision. Keep young children in for short spells only, at a lower temperature, and never leave them unattended in the water. Check the site's own age rules, as some restrict tub use for under-fives.
The short version
Forget natural thermal springs, because Britain does not have campable ones. Book a private hot tub glamping pitch in the Lake District, Cornwall, Wales or the Highlands, or camp near Bath and pair it with a session in the country's only real thermal waters. Sort the tub first, go in the cooler months, and give yourself a couple of nights to actually unwind.
When you are ready to find a site, browse hot tub glamping and campsites across the country in our full campsite listings, or start with planning your first camping trip.
