What to Take Glamping with a Hot Tub

For the tub

Two sets of swimwear each. Pulling on a cold, wet costume for the second dip is miserable, and it rarely dries overnight in a pod.

A towelling robe and something for your feet. The walk from tub to door is usually gravel, decking or grass, and it’s a long way in February. Add a woolly hat in winter. It sounds daft and it works, because your head is the only part of you in the cold.

Cups that aren’t glass. Many sites ban glass around the tub, for reasons you can imagine. Bring a bottle of water as well. Sitting in hot water makes you thirsty faster than you’d expect.

If the tub is wood fired

Ask what’s supplied before you leave home. Argyll and Bute Council’s advice to operators says they should provide the correct fuel. Find out whether that means one basket of logs or as many as you need. Pack a lighter and a pair of old gloves anyway. Our guide to how wood fired hot tubs work explains the rest.

For the pod

A head torch. Not a phone torch. You need both hands for carrying logs, finding keys and locating the toilet block at midnight.

Slippers, layers and a power bank, because sockets can be scarce. Check whether bedding and towels are included, and whether there’s a fridge and a hob. If there’s only a kettle, a cool box and a plan for dinner will save the evening.

For Scotland in summer

Midge repellent, and long sleeves for the walk to the tub. VisitScotland says the season typically runs from May to October and that midges are worst early in the morning and in the evening on calm, overcast days. That’s prime tub time. Our Scotland page covers where and when they’re least trouble.

What to leave at home

Glass, for the reason above. Bubble bath, bath bombs and oils, which don’t belong in any hot tub and can clog the filter in an electric one. And a packed schedule. The whole point is to sit still for once.

Sources

Published 3 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.