posted 5th October 2026
The Romans famously had outdoor baths and realised the benefits of water as a cornerstone of preventative health, mental rejuvenation, and community.
Prior to the Romans, the Greeks were already experiencing the health benefits of water. Heavily influenced by Hippocrates, the Greeks built outdoor bathing basins next to their athletic complexes. After a heavy workout, athletes would rinse off in outdoor showers and then lounge in circular outdoor pools to soothe their muscles.
In the hot, humid climate of ancient Egypt, the wealthy elite constructed elaborate outdoor bathing gardens.
Across the Roman Empire, bathhouses were vibrant centres for well-being. The Romans practiced a structured thermal ritual, transitioning between warm rooms, hot steam rooms and cold plunge pools.
Across Japan, China and Europe, natural thermal springs were sacred sites and the water was believed to have healing powers. The site of the Roman Baths in Bath was originally associated with the Celtic goddess Sulis, who was believed to preside over healing and sacred waters.
Now, 30% of boutique holiday lets have outdoor bathing facilities and increasingly people are installing them at home. These range from literal baths outdoors to wood-fired hot tubs. When bathing under the sky today you aren’t just buying a garden accessory, you are participating in a multi-millennial global tradition.
At Tub Tanks we sell affordable metal tanks which can be used as cool water baths, warm water baths if installed near a hot tap or a hot tub if purchased alongside one of our wood-fired heaters as well as luxury wooden hot tubs.
Why is outdoor bathing so popular?
Our modern lives are faster, louder, and more digitally saturated than ever before and outdoor bathing forces us to unplug. With a wood-fired burner you can enjoy the crackle of a fire and soft smell of wood smoke while you unwind to the sound of birds or owls and enjoy the starry sky. It’s now easier than ever to recreate boutique, spa-like experience in your own gardens.
What are the benefits?
Soothing Contrast Therapy: Cold water stimulates the Vagus nerve, reducing anxiety, increasing alertness and improving your mood. Warm water relaxes tight muscles, dilates blood vessels, and helps lower cortisol (stress) levels. The alternating heat and cold also increase blood flow, boosting endorphin production and happiness.
Enhanced Mental Clarity & Mindfulness: Bathing outdoors engages all your senses. The feeling of fresh air, crackle of a fire, the sound of birds, or the sight of a starry night sky grounds you in the present moment, practicing effortless mindfulness.
Improved Sleep Quality: Soaking in a warm outdoor bath an hour or two before bed raises your core body temperature. When you step out into the cooler air, your temperature rapidly drops. This mimics the body's natural circadian rhythm dip, signalling to your brain that it is time for deep, restorative sleep.
Active Recovery for the Body: Whether you prefer a crisp, cool bath to reduce inflammation after a workout, or a hot tub soak to relieve joint stiffness and back pain, outdoor bathing offers a versatile space for physical hydrotherapy.
Our tanks are the only product that can be used both for cold water immersion and as a hot tub and so you can even combine multiple wellness activities at home by enjoying a refreshing ice bath to wake you up in the morning and then slip into a warm hot tub to unwind in the evening.
Our metal tanks offer a cost-effective way to experience outdoor bathing or we offer wood-clad luxury hot tubs for those wanting a deeper wellness experience.
View the range here: https://www.tubtanks.co.uk/products/hot-tubs
