As agritourism continues to grow in popularity, farms are adding plenty of extras to their accommodation, from private spas to hands-on animal experiences, to attract visitors looking for something a little different.
One of the most sought-after features is a hot tub, offering the ultimate way to unwind in a peaceful countryside setting, accompanied only by the sound of bubbling water and sheep grazing nearby.
While soaking in warm water is well known for helping you relax and de-stress, hot tubs also offer a range of additional health benefits.
The combination of warm water and massaging jets can help relax tight muscles and soothe aches and pains, making a hot tub the perfect way to relax after a long day of hiking or cycling through the countryside.
The heat from the water helps to increase blood circulation, which can support muscle recovery by flushing out metabolic waste, while the buoyancy of the water reduces pressure on the joints, helping to improve flexibility and range of motion, leaving you feeling refreshed and recharged.
However, it’s important not to stay in the hot tub for too long, as excessive heat exposure can lead to swelling, which may cause stiffness and soreness.
Research suggests that passive heat immersion can help lower blood pressure, improve circulation, and raise core body temperature, providing some of the same cardiovascular benefits associated with mild exercise.
The heat from a hot tub causes blood vessels to dilate, increasing blood flow and helping the heart pump oxygen and essential nutrients more efficiently around the body and to the muscles.
While hot tubs can offer health benefits for many people, the intense heat may place additional strain on the heart for those with underlying health conditions, low blood pressure, or during pregnancy. If you are unsure whether using a hot tub is suitable for you, it’s always best to follow medical advice. It’s also important to avoid alcohol while in a hot tub, as it can increase the risk of dangerous blood pressure fluctuations and dehydration.
If you struggle to drift off at night, a soak in a hot tub could help prepare your body for a better night’s sleep. While reducing tension and helping you relax encourages better rest, one of the main reasons hot tubs can improve sleep is the effect they have on your body temperature.
As bedtime approaches, your body temperature naturally begins to fall. Warming up in a hot tub before cooling down afterwards can help trigger your body’s relaxation response, signalling that it’s time to sleep. To get the full benefit, it’s best to leave the hot tub around an hour before going to bed, giving your body enough time to cool down naturally.
Combined with fresh countryside air, a day spent exploring the outdoors, and wholesome food, a farm stay with a hot tub could leave you enjoying some of the best sleep you’ve had in years.
Another benefit of spending time in a hot tub is the effect it can have on your skin. The heat and steam help open up your pores, encouraging sweating, which can assist in removing trapped dirt and surface bacteria from the skin.
To make the most of your soak, take a lukewarm or cool shower afterwards and use a gentle body scrub to slough away dead skin cells and impurities before slathering on your favourite moisturiser.
You can also turn your hot tub session into a mini spa experience by using a face mask while you soak. The warmth and steam can help hydrating ingredients absorb more effectively into the skin, and choose a moisturising mask rather than clay or charcoal masks, which are designed to dry on the face. To help keep the hot tub water clean, wipe away most of the mask with a damp cloth before rinsing your face properly afterwards.
However, moderation is key. Spending too long in very hot water can strip the skin of its natural oils, potentially leading to dryness, itchiness, or flaky skin. Sanitisers such as chlorine and bromine can also be drying, so it’s important to moisturise well after your soak.
Many self-catering properties now include hot tubs as standard, but one of the biggest advantages of a farm stay is the added sense of privacy. Farms are often set in secluded locations, meaning you can relax without worrying about the neighbours as you move between your accommodation and the hot tub wrapped in a towel or wearing your swimwear.
While most farm stays have considerate noise policies to avoid disturbing other guests, the peaceful rural setting allows for a more relaxed atmosphere than a built-up area. That means you can enjoy your favourite music through a Bluetooth speaker, pour a drink, and truly settle into the experience.
Without the usual distractions of everyday life, it becomes much easier to slow down and appreciate the sights and sounds around you, such as butterflies flitting among wildflowers and birdsong during the day, or owls hooting at night. Soaking in a hot tub in the countryside encourages you to be present in the moment, helping create a deeper connection with nature and a genuine mental reset.
Many farm stays are also located in designated dark sky areas with very little light pollution. Relaxing in a warm hot tub beneath a clear night sky can offer unforgettable views of the stars, constellations, the Milky Way, or even the Northern Lights if conditions are right.
And the experience doesn’t end with the hot tub. Farm stays also provide fire pits and barbecues, so you can really make an evening of it cooking up an al fresco feast or toasting some marshmallows over the fire while enjoying a glass of wine. They may even offer swimming pools, saunas, or in-house spa services to complement the hot tub allowing you to feel completely pampered on your break.
A hot tub getaway isn’t just for summer either which means you can extend your holiday season. Soaking in steaming water on a crisp autumn or winter evening can feel even more indulgent, especially when you have a cosy wood burner, open fire, or warming Aga waiting for you inside afterwards.
We have a fantastic range of farm stays with hot tubs, from intimate countryside retreats perfect for couples to spacious properties ideal for family gatherings and special celebrations.
Be sure to follow any safety guidance provided by your hosts, supervise children carefully around the hot tub, and you’ll be all set for a truly magical countryside escape.
