Garden swimming pools in the UK span a wide range — from inflatable rings costing under £50 that inflate in minutes to wooden above-ground pools from £3,000 that last 20+ years without excavation. The right choice depends on your budget, garden size, how seriously you want to swim, and whether you need a permanent or seasonal installation. This guide covers the main categories of garden pool available in the UK, with specific prices and what to expect from each type. For the full cost picture including inground options, see our guide to swimming pool costs in the UK.
- Inflatable and entry-level steel frame pools: £28–£500. Best for young children, seasonal use, small gardens. Not suitable for serious swimming.
- Mid-range steel frame pools (Intex Ultra XTR, Bestway Power Steel): £443–£2,200. Large enough for adults to swim lengths. Intex 18ft × 9ft × 52in holds 17,203 litres.
- Wooden above-ground pools: from £3,000 (Essentials) to £12,000+ (Signature). Nordic timber, no excavation, 1–3 day install, 20–25 year lifespan.
- For serious swimming, a pool depth of at least 48–52 inches (122–132cm) is recommended — most budget pools are shallower than this.
Inflatable and Steel Frame Garden Pools: Budget to Mid-Range Options
Above-ground pools fall into three broad tiers. The choice between them comes down to how long you want the pool to last, how deep you need it to be, and how much you want to spend.
Inflatable Pools: £28–£110
At the budget end, inflatable pools are the entry point for garden swimming in the UK. The Sable Rectangular Inflatable Pool (300 × 184 × 50cm) costs around £28 and holds 1,180 litres — suitable for young children only, at 50cm deep. The Intex Easy Set Up 10ft × 30in costs approximately £49, holds 3,854 litres, and features triple-bound side walls for durability. These are seasonal, temporary pools: they require water changes rather than filtration, and most are not suitable for adult swimming due to their shallow depth. They are the right choice for gardens with limited space or for very young children who do not need a full swimming experience.
Entry Steel Frame Pools: £100–£500
Steel frame pools are more durable and offer better value for families. The Bestway MAX Steel Pro Round Frame (10ft diameter × 2.5ft deep) costs £109.90, holds 6,473 litres, and uses three-ply Tritech walls with an included filter pump. A round 10ft pool at 2.5ft deep is still shallow for adults to swim in, but sufficient for paddling and play. Moving up to rectangular models with real swimming depth: the Bestway Power Steel Rectangular (13.3ft × 4ft deep) costs approximately £443 and includes a filter and ladder — at 4ft (1.2m), it crosses the threshold for adult swimming. Steel frame pools with proper winterisation can last 10+ years.
Large-Format Steel Frame Pools: £800–£2,200
The Intex Rectangular Ultra XTR Metal Frame Pool (18ft × 9ft × 52in deep) is among the best value large above-ground pools in the UK, costing approximately £2,199.99 and holding 17,203 litres. At 52 inches (132cm) deep, it is practical for adult swimming lengths. The package includes a Krystal Clear sand filter pump, hydro aeration technology, removable steps and a safety ladder. Intex and Bestway steel frame pools are widely available from UK pool retailers; Doughboy, manufacturing above-ground pools since 1945, offers resin-walled models including the 16ft × 28ft Regent which remains a benchmark for build quality.
Wooden Above-Ground Pools and Inground Options for UK Gardens
For families who want a pool that functions like a proper inground pool without the cost and disruption of groundworks, wooden above-ground pools represent the most practical upgrade path in the UK.
Wooden Above-Ground Pools: £3,000–£12,000+
Wooden above-ground pools from specialist UK retailers such as The Wooden Pool Store use premium Nordic timber that weathers well in British conditions and is claimed to last 20–25 years. There are three ranges: Essentials from £3,000 (entry-level, multiple shapes and sizes); Premium from £6,000 (the most popular, larger footprint, greater depth); and Signature from £12,000 (architectural shapes, high-end finish). Installation takes just 1–3 days with no excavation required, with a typical 6–10 week lead time from order to swimming. No planning permission is needed for above-ground pools, unlike most inground installations, which makes wooden pools the fastest route to a permanent, high-quality garden swimming pool in the UK.
Inground Pools for UK Gardens
If budget allows, inground pools provide the most integrated and aesthetically clean result. In the UK, inground fibreglass pools start at approximately £50,000–£85,000 fully installed, and concrete pools at £60,000–£110,000. Fibreglass shells arrive factory-moulded and can be installed in 1–2 weeks once groundwork is done; concrete offers full design flexibility but takes 8–16 weeks. For a breakdown of all costs by pool type, see our guide to how much swimming pools cost in the UK. For heating an inground pool efficiently, air-source heat pumps with a COP of 5–7 are the standard UK solution — covered in our guide to heat pumps for swimming pools.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best garden swimming pool to buy in the UK?
It depends on budget and use. For young children and seasonal use on a tight budget, the Intex Easy Set Up (from £49) or Bestway Steel Pro Round Frame (£109.90) are well-reviewed UK options. For families wanting a pool suitable for adult swimming, the Bestway Power Steel rectangular (£443, 4ft deep) or Intex Ultra XTR 18ft × 9ft (£2,199.99) offer genuine swimming depth. For a permanent pool without excavation, wooden above-ground pools from £3,000 are the most durable long-term investment.
How deep does a garden pool need to be for swimming?
For meaningful adult swimming — laps or swimming rather than just standing — a minimum depth of 48–52 inches (122–132cm) is recommended. Most budget inflatable and small round steel frame pools are 25–30 inches deep, which is only suitable for young children. The Intex Ultra XTR at 52 inches and the Bestway Power Steel rectangular at 4ft (48 inches) are among the more affordable above-ground options that meet the adult swimming threshold.
Do you need planning permission for a garden swimming pool in the UK?
Above-ground pools — including wooden above-ground pools — do not require planning permission. Inground outdoor garden pools generally fall under permitted development and do not need planning permission, provided the pool is in the garden of a house, is not in a designated area (conservation area, AONB or national park), and does not occupy more than half the garden area. Indoor pools that require significant structural extensions typically do require planning permission.
How long do above-ground garden pools last in the UK?
Lifespan varies by type. Basic inflatable pools typically last 1–3 seasons. Steel frame pools with proper winterisation (emptying, storing the liner indoors, protecting the frame) can last 10+ years. Wooden above-ground pools from specialist UK retailers using Nordic timber are designed to last 20–25 years. Resin-framed above-ground pools fall in between — rust-proof but typically less robust than steel in terms of wall rigidity.
