How to Build a Garden Wellness Space: Sauna + Ice Bath + Pergola
How to Build a Garden Wellness Space
Sauna + ice bath + sheltered rest area — how to plan and build the ultimate garden upgrade, with real products, real prices and free UK delivery.
The ultimate garden upgrade in 2026 isn't a new patio or a fancy planting scheme — it's a dedicated wellness space combining a sauna, ice bath, and sheltered rest area. Here's how to plan and build one using real products and prices.
What Is a Garden Wellness Space?
At its simplest, a home wellness space is three things side by side: heat, cold, and shelter — somewhere to rest between rounds. The Scandinavians have done this for centuries, alternating between a hot sauna, a cold lake, and a warm cabin. The UK version replaces the lake with a Chill Tub and the cabin with a glass pergola.
1. Heat: The Garden Sauna
This is the centrepiece. A 4–6 person outdoor sauna gives you the traditional Finnish heat experience — 80–100°C, löyly steam from water on hot stones, and 15–25 minute sessions. Three options across the range:
Heat Quad 5-Person
Traditional Finnish heat for up to 5 people. Electric (Harvia Cilindro PC90 9kW) at £9,990, or wood-burning (Harvia 20 Pro) at £10,400.
View the Heat Quad →
M-Sanctuary 4-6 Person
A larger cabin comfortably seating 4–6, with a more generous changing and rest area. The natural step up from the Heat Quad.
View the M-Sanctuary →
The Sanctuary
The flagship 5-person sauna in thermowood, with a separate changing room and the option for Wi-Fi heater control. Up to £15,699 fully specced.
View The Sanctuary →2. Cold: The Ice Bath
The cold element creates the contrast that makes the whole experience physiologically powerful. The norepinephrine spike from cold immersion after sauna heat produces the euphoria that keeps people coming back daily. A self-chilling tub means no ice bags, no hassle — just step in.
Chill Tubs Ice Bath
Built-in chiller maintains 3–42°C automatically — no ice needed. Integrated filtration keeps the water clean. The standard against which all home ice baths are measured.
View the Chill Tub →
Chill Tub Pro
The upgraded model with a more powerful chiller and full Wi-Fi control — set your temperature and schedule from your phone so the tub is ready when you are.
View the Chill Tub Pro →3. Shelter: Pergola or Rest Area
Between sauna rounds — most people do 2–3 rounds of hot then cold — you need somewhere to sit, cool down, and breathe. A sheltered rest area makes this comfortable even in the rain, and turns the space into a year-round outdoor room rather than a summer-only setup.
PergoEnvision Glass Garden Room
Louvred or glass roof, optional glass screens and integrated heaters. Creates a genuine year-round outdoor room beside your sauna and ice bath. Sizes up to £34,000 fully specced.
View the PergoEnvision →
The Hideout 6-Person Sauna
If space is tight, the Hideout's 5m cabin includes a generous covered rest area built in — sauna and shelter in a single structure, seating up to 6.
View The Hideout →On a tighter budget, a simple covered deck or gazebo works fine — the key is shelter from rain and somewhere comfortable to sit between rounds.
Sample Layouts and Budgets
| Setup | Components | Space Needed | Approx. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | Heat Quad + Chill Tub | 4m × 6m | ~£14,500 |
| Complete | Sanctuary sauna + Chill Tub + simple gazebo | 5m × 8m | ~£20,000–£22,000 |
| Premium | Hideout sauna + Chill Tub Pro + PergoEnvision 5×3.5m | 6m × 10m | ~£40,000–£45,000 |
Planning Your Layout
- Put the sauna and ice bath within 5 steps of each other. The transition should be quick — you want to go from 90°C to 5°C without a long walk across a wet lawn in February.
- Face the sauna door away from the prevailing wind. In the UK, that usually means facing east or south-east.
- Drainage matters. Both the sauna (occasional löyly water) and the ice bath (overflow during entry) produce water. Position on a patio or gravel area that drains naturally.
- Privacy. If your garden overlooks neighbours, position the sauna so the door faces a fence or hedge. A pergola with side screens creates a private enclosure.
- Electrical planning. An electric sauna needs a 32A supply. The Chill Tub needs a 13A outdoor socket. The pergola may need power for LED lighting and motorised louvres. Plan all electrical runs before installation — it's far cheaper to trench once than three times.
The Wellness Routine: How to Use It
The classic Nordic protocol:
- Sauna at 80–90°C for 15 minutes
- Cold plunge at 5–10°C for 2–5 minutes
- Rest for 10 minutes (under the pergola, wrapped in a towel, with a glass of something)
- Repeat 2–3 times
- Finish with a final rest period of 15–20 minutes
Total time: 60–90 minutes. The cumulative effect on mood, sleep, and recovery is significant and noticeable from the first session.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a garden wellness space cost?
A basic sauna + ice bath setup starts from approximately £14,500. A complete setup with a premium sauna, ice bath, and glass pergola shelter ranges from £20,000 to £45,000 depending on specification.
How much garden space do I need?
Minimum 4m × 6m for a sauna and ice bath side by side. A full setup with a pergola rest area needs approximately 6m × 10m.
Do I need planning permission for a garden wellness space?
In most cases, no — provided each element falls within permitted development limits (under 2.5m high within 2m of a boundary, total coverage under 50% of garden area). Check our planning permission guide for full details.
Planning a Wellness Space?
We'll help you design a complete sauna, ice bath and pergola setup for your garden and budget. Free mainland UK delivery on every product.
📞 0330 133 6617