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Sod The Spa: Is Glamping With Hot Tubs Britain’s Real 2026 Wellness Trend?One in nine Brits are trying hot and cold contrast therapy this year, but new data suggests many are finding it not in a clinic, but in a field

UK – 21 August, 2026 – Britain’s biggest wellness trend of 2026 is not happening in a spa. New data shows one in nine Brits are trying hot and cold contrast therapy this year, and increasingly, they are finding it not in a treatment room but outdoors, in a field, as part of a weekend break.

Contrast therapy, alternating between hot water immersion and cold exposure, has been marketed for the past two years as a premium, appointment-only spa treatment, with clinics charging upwards of £150 a session. But according to a new wellness survey of over 1,000 UK adults, hot and cold water therapy is now the single most-cited wellness trend Brits are trying in 2026, ahead of at-home recovery tech, red light therapy and circadian rhythm optimisation.

At the same time, more than 25 million UK adults are skipping holidays abroad this year, with nearly half (48%) ruling out foreign travel entirely, citing the cost of living (33%) and travel disruption (34%) as the main reasons, according to a survey of 2,000 Britons commissioned by National Rail. Separately, 61% of UK adults say they are now more likely to choose a staycation than they were last year, according to holidaycottages.co.uk’s Travel Trends Report.

Glamping With Hot Tubs says the two trends are colliding: Brits who cannot justify a spa membership or a week abroad are instead booking hot tub glamping breaks, getting the same hot-cold ritual for a fraction of the price.

Industry data backs the shift. Wellness amenities such as hot tubs are shown to lift average daily rates by 15-30% and occupancy by 10-15% at UK accommodation sites, according to glamping market analysis published this year, evidence that the wider industry is repricing around demand for exactly this kind of experience. The UK glamping market itself is forecast to grow at 8-11% annually through to 2033.

“People have been sold contrast therapy as something you book into a clinic for,” said Tom Armstrong, owner of Glamping With Hot Tubs. “But you don’t need a converted Victorian bathhouse to feel the benefit. Our guests get the same hot and cold ritual with a lot more sky above them, and they’re not paying spa prices to get it. That’s exactly why 2026 has been our busiest year yet.”

The shift reflects rising costs in the wellness market. Home saunas and cold plunge pools have become a popular garden addition in 2026, but typically require significant upfront investment. Analysts expect the UK glamping market to be worth £480 million by 2030, with wellness amenities identified as the biggest driver of that growth.

Commentators say the trend reflects a wider mainstreaming of contrast therapy, with one spa industry analysis noting it has moved “from social media trend to mainstream expectation” this year rather than remaining a luxury add-on.

For Brits weighing up a spa day, a flight abroad, or a weekend outdoors, the numbers suggest an increasing number are choosing the field.

About Glamping With Hot Tubs

Glamping With Hot Tubs connects travellers across the UK with hot tub glamping breaks, combining outdoor accommodation with hot and cold water wellness experiences.

For more information, visit https://www.glampingwithhottubs.com/

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Company Name: Glamping With Hot Tubs
Contact Person: T Armstrong
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Country: United Kingdom
Website: https://www.glampingwithhottubs.com/