Both pods at Ballagan Farm have their own hot tub, which is where most people stop reading. The detail worth knowing is that the two are set up quite differently, and one pod also has a sauna.
The Rose Pod: open to the sky
The Rose Pod's hot tub sits right out on its own decking, open to the sky, with an umbrella and a chiminea alongside. On a clear night that's the whole appeal: nothing between you and the sky, and a fire going a few feet away. The umbrella is there for the afternoons when the sun is on the south-facing deck and you'd rather have shade.
The Thistle Pod: under a covered gazebo
The Thistle Pod's tub is sheltered under its own gazebo, with rattan seating alongside, so it's ready to use whatever the forecast says. It's the one to pick if you're coming in a month with weather in it, and it's the reason a wet weekend at the Thistle Pod doesn't feel like a wasted one.
The barrel sauna
The Thistle Pod also has sole access to our Scandinavian barrel sauna, tucked into a quiet corner with an uninterrupted run of countryside in front of it. Inside it's a wood-fired heater and stones — the traditional arrangement, not an electric box. Sole access means no timetable and nobody else's session to work around: it's yours for the stay.
Both, whichever pod you take
- Your hot tub is ready and up to temperature when you arrive
- Towels and robes are provided, so there's nothing extra to pack but swimwear
- Both tubs look out over the farm's own south-facing fields
- Both pods have an en-suite with a walk-in shower for afterwards
If you're weighing the sauna against the BBQ hut, that's really the choice between the two pods, and it's the only decision you need to make.
