A wood fired hot tub is an outdoor hot tub heated by a log-burning stove instead of electricity. The fire warms the water to around 38–40°C. Standard Royal Tubs models need no electricity or permanent plumbing: just a garden hose to fill the tub and a supply of dry firewood.

Logs burn in a stainless steel stove that sits either inside the tub or alongside it. Heat passes from the stove into the water, and natural convection carries the warm water around the tub. There are no pumps or controls to manage: you light the fire and keep it fed.

Most Royal Tubs models reach 38–40°C in 1.5 to 2.5 hours from cold. The time depends on the heater, the tub’s size, the time of year (winter adds about 30 minutes), the starting water temperature, the weather and your firewood. Keeping the lid on and the tub out of the wind can cut heating time by 20–30%.

Most people soak at 38–40°C. You control the heat with the stove’s air vents: open them for a hotter, faster burn, or close them to slow it down. Stir the water with a paddle and check it with a pool thermometer before getting in, as the top can be warmer than the bottom.

Plan on about 10–15 kg of seasoned hardwood per session, which covers heating the water and keeping it warm while you soak. Bigger tubs, cold weather and damp wood all increase the amount you’ll need. Tips to use less.

Use dry, seasoned hardwood with a moisture content below 20%, or manufactured heat logs. The Ready to Burn mark guarantees wood at 20% moisture or less. Never burn wet or treated wood, or any other solid fuel: they create more smoke and tar, can damage the stove, and void your warranty.

No. A standard wood burning hot tub runs without any electrical supply, which makes it ideal for off-grid gardens and remote holiday lets. You only need power if you add optional extras such as lights, jets or a filtration system.

It depends on how you’ll use it. A wood fired hot tub has no electricity costs, no pump noise and no electronics to go wrong, and you get the ritual of a real fire. An electric hot tub stays hot around the clock, so it suits people who want to soak every day on demand. For weekend soaks, holiday lets and off-grid sites, many owners prefer wood fired. Compare running costs.

An internal stove heats the water faster and keeps the tub compact, but takes up some seating space. An external stove frees up the whole interior and makes loading logs easier. Both work well, so choose based on your space and how many people will usually soak together. Heater options explained.

Yes, and winter is when many owners enjoy it most. Heating takes longer in cold weather, so allow extra time and keep the insulated lid on. Royal Tubs hot tubs use frost-resistant fittings and treated timber designed for UK winters. Hot tubbing all year round.

If saunas are used as directed they are perfectly safe to use and can actually offer many health benefits. There are a few precautions  you should be aware of though….

You should not use a sauna if you are pregnant, drunk or using recreational drugs

If you suffer from diabetes, heart disease or another condition that affects your blood pressure you should check with your GP before using a sauna
If you experience any dizziness, or feel sleepy or uncomfortable you should exit the sauna immediately and cool down  in the fresh air
It is safer (and more enjoyable) to share your  sauna experience with another person
Limit your sauna session to a maximum of 15-20 minutes
Drink plenty of water before and after your session to keep your body well hydrated

We recommend the maximum time you should spend in your sauna is 15-20 minutes per session.

If you feel dizzy, sleepy or uncomfortable, leave the sauna straight away and cool down in the fresh air. Drink plenty of water before and after each session to stay well hydrated.

Larch and spruce are superior quality woods that are incredibly durable and require minimal upkeep. Many saunas are still usable after 15-20 years.

To help it last, wipe the seating area with a mild detergent and warm water, and apply Danish Oil to the outside if you want to keep the timber’s original colour.

It really couldn’t be easier to take care of your wooden sauna. The seating area can simply be wiped with a mild detergent and clean warm water. The outside of your sauna will take care of itself due to the natural durability of the wood used. If you would like to retain the original colouring you can apply Danish Oil to the exterior wood.

In-stock models ship in 1–3 days, and made-to-order tubs typically take 4–8 weeks. We deliver across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and we’ll help you plan access if your garden is tricky to reach. Shipping information.

You don’t need a special base, but the ground must be level and able to hold up to 2,500 kg once the tub is full, depending on its size. Leave at least 50 cm clear on all sides. Most freestanding garden hot tubs don’t need planning permission, but check with your council if you live in a listed building or conservation area. In a smoke control area, outdoor burners such as chimineas and pizza ovens are allowed, and stricter rules apply only where a chimney sits on the roof of a building, so check with your council before you buy.. What you need before installation.

Yes. Interest-free finance is available through our partner DivideBuy, so you can spread the cost of a hot tub or sauna. See finance options.

We cannot accept cancellations, as all tubs are built to order. Cancellation will result in loss of funds paid. Please ensure that you have checked and double checked everything before placing an order.
If you have questions or are unsure, please contact us and we will be happy to help.

Once you have completed the checkout process, you’ll receive an email confirming your order (this can take up to 20 minutes to arrive in your inbox).
In the Royal Tubs offices, a hive of activity will break out as we confirm stock levels, order materials as necessary and send out instructions to our delivery team to let them know that you too will shortly have a garden the whole street wants to visit!
Once the commotion has died down, you’ll receive another email with delivery instructions and confirmation of your anticipated delivery date.
This email will also contain the instructions you’ll need if you wish to upgrade from delivery only to a full installation service.
Before your tub leaves us, we’ll crack open the champagne to celebrate another soon-to-be-very-happy customer upgrading their garden, and we’ll contact you again to confirm your product’s arrival.