Above ground pools · UK
Above ground pools
for UK gardens.
No excavation. No planning permission. A beautiful wooden above ground pool that's ready to swim in within weeks — and looks like it belongs in your garden.
What types of above ground pool are there?
Above ground pools fall into three broad categories, and the differences matter more than most buyers realise before they purchase.
Inflatable and basic frame pools — brands like Intex and Bestway — cost between £50 and £500. They're quick to set up and fine for a summer or two, but they look temporary because they are. Most last 1–3 seasons before the liner or frame gives out.
Steel or resin frame pools are more robust — typically £300–£2,000 — and will last 5–10 years with care. They're functional but rarely look like a considered garden feature.
Wooden above ground pools are in a different category entirely. Built from premium Nordic timber, they look like a permanent part of the garden, last 20+ years, and hold water beautifully. The upfront cost is higher — from £3,000 — but the cost per year of actual use is lower than cheaper alternatives that need replacing every few seasons.
We make wooden above ground pools. The three ranges below cover everything from a first pool to a statement garden feature.
How much does an above ground pool cost?
Inflatable / frame
- Cost
- £50 – £500
- Lifespan
- 1–3 seasons
- Appearance
- Temporary
Fine for occasional use. Not a garden investment.
Steel / resin frame
- Cost
- £300 – £2,000
- Lifespan
- 5–10 years
- Appearance
- Functional
More robust, but rarely beautiful in a garden context.
Our pools
Wooden above ground
- Cost
- From £3,000
- Lifespan
- 20–25+ years
- Appearance
- Premium
Looks and performs like a permanent garden feature.
What size above ground pool fits a UK garden?
Above ground pools come in three broad shapes — round, oval, and rectangular. The right choice depends on the shape of your garden, how many people will swim, and whether you want a play pool or something closer to a true swimming pool. Most wooden above ground pools sit at 1.2–1.4 m deep, which is enough for adult swimming without crossing into the planning-permission complications of deeper in-ground pools.
Round
- Typical size
- 3.6 – 5 m diameter
- Depth
- 1.2 – 1.4 m deep
- Comfortable for
- Family of 4
Small to medium gardens, including patios and decked corners.
The smallest footprint for the most water. Ideal as a first pool, or where the garden has limited rectangular space. Round pools typically use the least liner per litre, so they're also the most cost-efficient.
Oval
- Typical size
- 5 – 8 m × 3 – 4 m
- Depth
- 1.2 – 1.4 m deep
- Comfortable for
- Family of 4–6
Most UK gardens with a clear lawn area.
Long enough for actual lengths (most adults can swim 10–15 strokes between ends), and the shape sits well in a typical garden. The most popular choice for our Premium range.
Rectangular
- Typical size
- 5 – 10 m × 3 – 5 m
- Depth
- 1.2 – 1.5 m deep
- Comfortable for
- 6+
Larger gardens or as a statement feature.
Looks the most architectural — closest to an in-ground pool aesthetically. Best for proper lap swimming. Our Signature range covers the largest sizes.
A note on garden footprint. Allow at least 1 m of clear access on one side of the pool for the pump and filter housing, and ideally a metre or two of decking or paved area around the perimeter for comfortable use. A 5 m round pool typically wants a 7 m × 7 m garden footprint to feel right.
Why above ground works for UK gardens
No planning permission
Above ground pools are not classified as permanent structures under UK planning law. Most gardens qualify for permitted development — no application required.
No excavation or groundworks
Installation takes 1–3 days. No diggers, no concrete, no months of disruption. Your garden stays intact.
Ready to swim in weeks
From order to swimming, most customers wait 6–10 weeks. Compare that to 6–12 months for a traditional in-ground pool build.
Lower total cost
An in-ground pool including groundworks, liner, surround, and landscaping regularly costs £30,000–£80,000. A wooden above ground pool delivers the same swimming experience from £3,000.
Moveable if you relocate
Unlike an in-ground pool, a wooden above ground pool can be dismantled and moved to a new property. Most customers don't, but it's possible.
Looks like it belongs
Nordic timber ages beautifully in British weather. Our pools don't look like leisure equipment — they look like a considered part of the garden.
Our wooden above ground pool ranges
Essentials
The entry point to wooden above ground pool ownership.
Available in multiple sizes and shapes — ideal for families who want a proper pool without committing to the full investment of the Premium or Signature ranges.
Above-ground · Multiple sizes · From £3,000
Browse Essentials
Premium
Our most popular above ground range.
Larger footprints, greater depth, more flexibility to choose a size that genuinely feels like a proper swimming pool. The right choice for most families.
Above-ground · Deep-water options · From £6,000
Browse Premium
Signature
The finest above ground pools we make.
Generous dimensions, premium Nordic timber, and architectural shapes that make a real statement. Above-ground — but nobody would know it.
Above-ground · Architectural shapes · From £12,000
Browse SignatureExtend your season
Swim from April to October.
A heat pump transforms how much you use an above ground pool. For every 1 kW of electricity, a modern inverter heat pump delivers up to 5 kW of heat — making a warm pool affordable from early spring through to autumn.
What does an above ground pool cost to run?
Running costs are one of the most common things buyers ask about — and one of the most commonly overstated by people who don't actually own a pool. Here's what a typical wooden above ground pool costs to run in a UK garden over a 6-month season (April to October), for a mid-sized pool of around 25–30 m³ heated to 28 °C with a solar cover.
Heating (heat pump + solar cover)
Inverter heat pumps deliver 4–5× the heat energy per kWh used. A solar cover cuts overnight heat loss by up to 70%.
£300 – £700 / season
Filtration electricity
Pump runs ~6–8 hours a day on a sensible schedule.
£100 – £200 / season
Chemicals (chlorine, balancers)
Salt-water systems cost more upfront but reduce ongoing chemical spend.
£150 – £300 / year
Replacement consumables
Test strips, filter media, occasional cartridge replacement.
£40 – £80 / year
How much time does a pool actually take?
Around 30 minutes a week in season — skim the surface, run the vacuum (or a robot does it), test the water with a strip, and dose chlorine if needed. That's the whole job.
Add a half-day in spring to open the pool, and another half-day in autumn to winterise it (drain partially, blow out lines, fit the winter cover). Total annual time commitment is well under 30 hours.
Total cost of ownership. For a typical wooden above ground pool: roughly £600–£1,300 a year in running costs, spread across heating, filtration, and chemicals. Cheaper if you don't heat to 28 °C; more if you swim every day from April through October.
Common questions
What is the difference between an above ground pool and an in-ground pool?
An above-ground pool sits on the surface of your garden — no excavation required. An in-ground pool is set into a dug-out and sits flush with the garden. Above-ground pools are faster to install, lower cost, require no planning permission in most cases, and can be relocated. In-ground pools have a more integrated look and are a permanent garden feature.
How much does an above ground pool cost in the UK?
Costs vary significantly by type. Inflatable and basic frame pools cost £50–£500 but typically last only 1–3 seasons. Wooden above-ground pools — the kind we make — start from £3,000 and last 15–25 years with basic maintenance. They look far better in a garden and hold their value as a garden feature.
Do I need planning permission for an above ground pool in the UK?
In most cases, no. Above-ground pools are not considered permanent structures under UK planning law and typically fall within permitted development rights. We recommend checking with your local planning authority if you are in a conservation area or live in a listed building.
Are wooden above ground pools better than steel or inflatable?
For a UK garden, yes — in almost every way. Wooden pools look like part of the garden rather than temporary leisure equipment. They last 20+ years compared to 1–5 for inflatable or steel-frame alternatives. Nordic timber is naturally water-resistant and weathers beautifully. The upfront cost is higher, but the cost per year of use is lower than cheaper alternatives.
How quickly can I get an above ground pool installed?
Our wooden above-ground pools typically arrive 6–10 weeks from order and can be installed in 1–3 days. There is no excavation, no concrete groundworks, and no contractor delays. Most customers are swimming within a few weeks of placing their order.
Can I heat an above ground pool in the UK?
Yes. A heat pump is the most efficient way to do it — modern inverter heat pumps deliver up to 5 kW of heat for every 1 kW of electricity used. Our Thermotec range is compatible with all our above-ground pools and will extend your swimming season from April through October. A solar cover alongside the heat pump keeps running costs low.
Can the pool be relocated?
Yes. One advantage of an above-ground pool over an in-ground pool is that it can be dismantled and moved if you relocate. This is not something most customers do, but it is possible.
Ready to find your above ground pool?
Use our Pool Finder to get a shortlist of models that suit your garden, budget, and how you plan to use the pool — it takes about two minutes. Or speak to the team directly.