Latest news with #outdoorbath
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
£1,400 lodges short drive from city you need to book months ahead
An outdoor bath with a side table for a glass of fizz awaits guests at a set of new lodges opening. Chester Zoo is gearing up to launch its long-awaited safari-style lodge resort, The Reserve. The resort, made up of 51 lodges, is set to transform how travellers experience conservation in the UK by combining luxurious accommodation with exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the zoo's world-renowned wildlife. The Reserve features beautifully designed lodges, some overlooking a private savannah where giraffes, zebras and blesbok antelope roam, and others nestled beside a peaceful lake. READ MORE: Dad 'blessed' to lose both legs does something most people wouldn't even consider READ MORE: I went to a stunning pub surrounded by scenery everyone should visit The new spot will welcome its first guests on Monday, August 18. However, as Chester Zoo CEO Jamie Christon told the ECHO, if you are looking for an overnight stay here, you will need to wait months, and, on occasions, even longer for the VIP suites. The ECHO was invited to experience the Hibiscus lodge, which includes two single beds, a double sofa bed, an outdoor bath, and a floor-to-ceiling tiled shower. It also includes the giraffe feeding experience zone. Jamie said: 'These lodges have their own private giraffe stations. They have a huge terrace with a copper bath for everyone to enjoy, while looking at the animals. All these lodges are sold out for the rest of the year, and some even to next summer. 'In the main room, you have a large king-size sofa bed, two separate beds in a separate room and then a steam shower. All the lodges are very different with all different views. They are totally unique in the UK and totally unique for Zoos. It is something we have been thinking about for years, but now we have managed to do it.' At the time of writing, prices to book on the website were showing at £1,488.62. This was for two people staying at the VIP giraffe lodge for a minimum of two nights. What does the VIP package include? Two-night lodge stay Breakfast each morning Arrival Drink Three-day extended hours access to Chester Zoo Three-course dining experience per person, per stay in the Amboseli Restaurant (excludes drinks) Campfire Stories is an evening event set around the firepit on the lakeside terrace. You'll hear from expert conservationists from the field, plus activities to keep the children entertained. Slots are bookable on arrival. Ranger-guided evening Heart of Africa Safari tour, Giraffe Keeper Kitchen Experience, where you'll get hands-on with enrichment creation and learn all about giraffe care. Giraffe Wake-up experience where you join the keepers to rouse the resident giraffe herd from their slumber, carry out morning preparations for breakfast and make their habitat ready for the day before releasing them into the morning air. The Conservation In Action Experience, where you'll enjoy an interactive behind-the-scenes look at the vital conservation and animal care work that goes on in the zoo, including an insight into live projects happening during your stay. Valet Parking Jamie added: 'The Reserve at Chester Zoo is a game-changer - not just for luxury travel but for conservation. Born from our long-standing commitment to protecting African wildlife, we've created a truly immersive, safari-style experience right here in the UK. "Guests may wake up to giraffes on their doorstep, enjoy unforgettable wildlife encounters and relax in beautifully designed lodges surrounded by nature. But what makes The Reserve truly unique is its purpose. Everything we do at Chester Zoo - now including The Reserve - supports conservation. "As a not-for-profit, every single stay directly funds our groundbreaking work, here in the UK and around the world. That includes protecting black rhinos in Kenya and Rwanda, using AI to fight poaching of giant pangolins in Uganda and working with communities in Madagascar to save precious species like the golden mantella frog. 'Guests at The Reserve aren't just going to enjoy a luxury break - they're going to power our conservation movement for generations to come. "This new venture will help strengthen the zoo's role as one of the country's most loved and most impactful conservation charities. We believe this is the future of travel, where unforgettable experiences and real conservation impact go hand in hand.'
Daily Mail
30-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
The biggest garden faux pas your neighbours are judging you for: Experts reveal the common items that scream you're not classy - and the ones that DO make you look posh
Forget the fire pit, kitchen and croquet set, your garden isn't truly posh unless it has an outdoor bath. Fashion influencer Molly Gunn has championed the trend, recently posting a selfie in her outdoor tub on Instagram. Here's how to know whether your garden shapes up.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Outdoor bath? Next we'll be returning to outside toilets
YOU MAY be used to seeing your neighbour mowing the lawn or hanging out the washing - but what about taking a bath? Coming hot on the heels of alfresco living rooms and kitchens comes outdoor baths and showers, which are gaining popularity in gardens across the country. People are immersing themselves in baths or enjoying showers installed on patios and even in the middle of lawns. Relaxing in the bath outdoors, surrounded by greenery and birdsong is thought to bring health benefits, leading to the term 'spa-den' - turning your garden into a wellbeing retreat. I just hope my neighbours don't turn their veg plots into a spa-den. I don't mind seeing them pottering about in shorts on hot summer days, with their hoes and trowels, but I'd rather they kept their bathroom routine inside the house. Why can't people enjoy their gardens for what they are? They should be bring a different experience to the one we get inside our homes, yet people seem to want to replicate it with outside living rooms, kitchens and now bathrooms. When I was growing up, on hot summer days, families brought out a few deckchairs and maybe a sun lounger. Some people, like my parents, had a garden bench and carried out the coffee table when we ate outside. Now, gardens are home to sofas larger than those in living rooms and with far more cushions. In place of rusty grills barbecues dragged out of the garage every summer come state-of-the-art outdoor kitchens with range cookers and special pizza ovens. So it's no surprise that the next step is to bring the bathroom outside too. But why? Jacuzzis and hot tubs are commonplace, and have been for some time, so the desire for an actual bath in the garden seems ridiculous. It's not just a hot soak - outdoor ice baths, in particular, are catching on. Ever practical, my first thought would be 'Where would you store all the ice?' I struggle to find space for anything in my chest freezer as it is. We have larger, more comfy sofas outside than in our homes. Picture: PA And I am assuming bathers do so in the buff. It's to be hoped that nobody in the street pops round to borrow a cup of sugar while you're having a garden soak or showering beside the flowerbeds. I enjoy a bath as much as the next person, but I'll take mine inside, thank you. Likewise with cooking and lounging about on the settee. To me, inside and outside should be different and offer contrasting experiences. I anticipate the next big thing will be a return to the outside lavatory. My nana had one in her back yard in Normanby near Middlesbrough. During the night she would use a ceramic chamber pot kept under her bed but otherwise went outside to the loo in a small brick outhouse. Let's face it, during a busy day we all love to close the bathroom door and relax on the loo for ten minutes. Alfresco toilets, where you could sit in the sun, or shade - behind the garage or under a car port, maybe - with the T&A, could be just the thing. I'm forgetting the bedroom - why not fetch that outdoors too? It wouldn't be too difficult to heft a mattress or two on to the lawn, along with some bedding. After dining in your outdoor kitchen and winding down in your outside bath, sleeping under the stars in your garden bed would be magical. And with your outside toilet you could have an en-suite. I've convinced myself now - this outdoor living malarkey is not such a bad idea after all.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
An outdoor bath? Maybe the next big thing will be outside loos
YOU MAY be used to seeing your neighbour mowing the lawn or hanging out the washing - but what about taking a bath? Coming hot on the heels of alfresco living rooms and kitchens comes outdoor baths and showers, which are gaining popularity in gardens across the country. People are immersing themselves in baths or enjoying showers installed on patios and even in the middle of lawns. Relaxing in the bath outdoors, surrounded by greenery and birdsong is thought to bring health benefits, leading to the term 'spa-den' - turning your garden into a wellbeing retreat. I just hope my neighbours don't turn their veg plots into a spa-den. I don't mind seeing them pottering about in shorts on hot summer days, with their hoes and trowels, but I'd rather they kept their bathroom routine inside the house. Why can't people enjoy their gardens for what they are? They should be bring a different experience to the one we get inside our homes, yet people seem to want to replicate it with outside living rooms, kitchens and now bathrooms. When I was growing up, on hot summer days, families brought out a few deckchairs and maybe a sun lounger. Some people, like my parents, had a garden bench and carried out the coffee table when we ate outside. Now, gardens are home to sofas larger than those in living rooms and with far more cushions. In place of rusty grills barbecues dragged out of the garage every summer come state-of-the-art outdoor kitchens with range cookers and special pizza ovens. Many people have larger, comfier sofas outdoors than in. Picture: PA (Image: PA) So it's no surprise that the next step is to bring the bathroom outside too. But why? Jacuzzis and hot tubs are commonplace, and have been for some time, so the desire for an actual bath in the garden seems ridiculous. It's not just a hot soak - outdoor ice baths, in particular, are catching on. Ever practical, my first thought would be 'Where would you store all the ice?' I struggle to find space for anything in my chest freezer as it is. And I am assuming bathers do so in the buff. It's to be hoped that nobody in the street pops round to borrow a cup of sugar while you're having a garden soak or showering beside the flowerbeds. I enjoy a bath as much as the next person, but I'll take mine inside, thank you. Likewise with cooking and lounging about on the settee. To me, inside and outside should be different and offer contrasting experiences. I anticipate the next big thing will be a return to the outside lavatory. My nana had one in her back yard in Normanby near Middlesbrough. During the night she would use a ceramic chamber pot kept under her bed but otherwise went outside to the loo in a small brick outhouse. Let's face it, during a busy day we all love to close the bathroom door and relax on the loo for ten minutes. Alfresco toilets, where you could sit in the sun, or shade - behind the garage or under a car port, maybe - with the T&A, could be just the thing. I'm forgetting the bedroom - why not fetch that outdoors too? It wouldn't be too difficult to heft a mattress or two on to the lawn, along with some bedding. After dining in your outdoor kitchen and winding down in your outside bath, sleeping under the stars in your garden bed would be magical. And with your outside toilet you could have an en-suite. I've convinced myself now - this outdoor living malarkey is not such a bad idea after all.
Times
16-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Times
I've been running on rosé since my marriage ended
With all the sunshine this week, it's been hard not to reach for the rosé. I have been indulging myself as I lie in the outdoor bath in my garden (my best ever purchase). The sun on my face, warm water on my body and a chilled glass in hand is my version of heaven on earth. I've needed more slices of heaven, since separating from my partner of 25 years has felt slightly hellish. We definitely both turned into the devil during some arguments. It's refreshing, now we're living in separate houses 20 minutes from each other, our kids with him three days a week and with me four, that peace has descended. Getting into a new routine, with both of us operating amicably
