Houses with indoor pools in the UK serve two very different markets: holiday rentals where a private indoor pool is one of the most searched-for features on platforms like Sykes and kate & tom’s, and residential properties where an indoor pool is either an existing feature or a planned addition. This guide covers both — where to find holiday houses with indoor pools to rent, and what to know if you’re buying or building a house with an indoor pool in the UK. For cost details on pool installation, see our guide to swimming pool costs in the UK.
- Holiday houses with indoor pools: available year-round across England and Wales; main platforms are Sykes Holiday Cottages, kate & tom’s, Airbnb and holidaycottages.co.uk. Sleep 4–40+ guests.
- Indoor pools are the top-searched pool feature for UK holiday rentals — because the UK weather means an outdoor pool is usable reliably only May–September.
- Installing an indoor pool: average cost £100,000–£152,500; running costs £1,000–£4,000/year; planning permission usually required for the building structure.
- Buying a house with an existing indoor pool: check for a Building Regulations completion certificate and planning records before exchange — pools added without consent can create legal complications.
Holiday Houses with Indoor Pools in the UK to Rent
The UK holiday rental market has a large and growing inventory of houses with private indoor pools, driven by the obvious limitation of outdoor pools in the British climate. An indoor pool can be used on any day of the year — overcast August afternoons included — which makes it the more practical choice for groups who want pool access as a guaranteed amenity rather than a weather-dependent bonus.
Where to Find Holiday Houses with Indoor Pools
The major UK holiday cottage platforms all have dedicated indoor pool filter options:
- Sykes Holiday Cottages: one of the UK’s largest cottage rental platforms with over 20,000 properties; the indoor pool section lists cottages and larger houses across England and Wales.
- kate & tom’s: specialises in luxury group houses; indoor pool properties in the Cotswolds, Devon, Dorset, Wales, Sussex and Norfolk, sleeping from 4 to 40+ guests.
- holidaycottages.co.uk: curated listings with private indoor pools; filterable by region and group size.
- Airbnb: substantial inventory of UK houses with indoor pools, searchable using the pool filter alongside dates and location.
What to Expect from a Rental House with an Indoor Pool
UK holiday houses with indoor pools typically combine the pool with additional leisure amenities — hot tubs, saunas, cinema rooms, games rooms and gyms are common inclusions. Properties sleep anywhere from small groups of 4–6 to large-party houses accommodating 20–40+ guests. Indoor pools are heated and available year-round, making them a popular choice for winter breaks, hen and stag parties, corporate retreats and milestone celebrations. Prices vary significantly by location, size, season and facilities — weekend rates for a 10-person house with an indoor pool in the Cotswolds typically start from £600–£1,500 for a weekend, rising sharply for larger properties and peak dates.
Buying or Building a House with an Indoor Pool in the UK
Whether you are buying a property that already has an indoor pool or planning to add one, indoor pools require more careful due diligence than outdoor pools due to the structural, planning and ongoing maintenance implications.
Building a New Indoor Pool
An indoor pool in a UK home costs on average approximately £152,500 — significantly more than an outdoor pool — reflecting the additional cost of the building structure (usually a new extension or separate outbuilding), specialist dehumidification ventilation to prevent condensation damage to the fabric of the building, structural waterproofing and year-round heating. Construction cost runs approximately £850–£2,500 per square metre for the pool itself, with structural work on top. Annual running costs are typically £1,000–£4,000, depending on pool volume, heating system and ventilation energy consumption. For the most efficient heating option, air-source heat pumps deliver a COP of 5–7, reducing heating costs substantially — see our guide to heat pumps for swimming pools.
Planning Permission for Indoor Pools
Unlike outdoor inground garden pools, which typically fall under permitted development, indoor pools almost always require planning permission — because the pool needs to be housed in a building or substantial extension. Permitted development rules allow an outbuilding up to 4m in height (dual-pitch roof) or 3m otherwise; structures within 2m of a boundary are limited to 2.5m. Any indoor pool for a listed building will require listed building consent in addition to planning permission. Building Regulations approval is required regardless of planning status.
Buying a Property with an Existing Indoor Pool
When purchasing a property with an indoor pool, your solicitor should check for a Building Regulations completion certificate and planning records confirming the pool building was approved. Pools added without consent create complications and can be difficult to retrospectively regularise. Additionally, factor in the survey — pools require specialist inspection; a standard RICS survey will note a pool’s existence but will not assess its structural condition or mechanical systems. Commissioning a separate pool survey from a specialist is advisable. Finally, insurance providers require declaration of an indoor pool; specialist home insurance is typically needed and premiums will be higher than standard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find holiday houses with indoor pools in the UK?
The main platforms are Sykes Holiday Cottages (sykes cottages.co.uk/cottages-indoor-pool), kate & tom’s (kateandtoms.com), holidaycottages.co.uk and Airbnb — all allow filtering by indoor pool. Kate & tom’s specialises in larger luxury group houses with indoor pools, sleeping from 4 to 40+ guests, in locations including the Cotswolds, Devon, Dorset, Wales, Sussex and Norfolk.
How much does it cost to add an indoor pool to a house in the UK?
Adding an indoor pool to a UK house costs £100,000–£200,000+ depending on size and complexity. The UK average is approximately £152,500, which includes the pool itself, the enclosing building or extension, specialist dehumidification ventilation, heating and electrical installation. Running costs are typically £1,000–£4,000 per year. Unlike outdoor pools, indoor pools almost always require planning permission for the structure.
Does an indoor pool add value to a house in the UK?
Generally, indoor pools do not add their full installation cost to the resale value of a property in the UK. They appeal to a niche of buyers and can extend the time on market for some properties. In high-value postcodes and luxury property markets, an indoor pool can be a positive feature; in more typical family home markets it may be neutral or slightly negative if buyers factor in ongoing maintenance and running costs. It is safer to budget the cost as lifestyle expenditure rather than an investment.
Do you need planning permission for an indoor pool in the UK?
In most cases, yes. An indoor pool requires a building or substantial extension to house it — and while the outdoor pool itself may fall under permitted development, the enclosing structure typically requires planning permission if it exceeds permitted development limits (4m height with dual-pitch roof; 3m otherwise; 2.5m within 2m of boundary). Building Regulations approval is needed in all cases. For listed buildings, listed building consent is also required. Always check with the local planning authority before committing to a design.
