The Brief

James and Emma had been running a thriving farm shop and café at Little Pig Glamping for six years. Their 2–3 acre site — overlooking a lake with sweeping views toward Sandy Mouth — was already drawing guests to three lodges and two safari tents. But like many rural hospitality businesses, winter bookings were thin.

The answer came via a friend-of-a-friend recommendation, after they visited a successful Ishka installation at a wellness destination in Wales. The idea was simple: transform an unused corner of the site, near the farm shop, into a premium wellness experience that would extend the season, stand on its own feet, and give Little Pig a genuine point of difference in a competitive market.

The Design

Ishka designed a full thermal and hydrotherapy circuit, engineered to operate as a standalone business:

• 2 cold pools set at 4°C and 12°C for contrast therapy and cold immersion

• 2 hot pools set at 40°C for deep heat and recovery

• Sauna and drench bucket for a complete thermal journey

• Capacity: 6–8 guests simultaneously

The system runs on air source heat pumps with a built-in offset loop — heat generated from the chilling process is redirected to power the heating cycle, reducing energy demand significantly. Running costs come in at approximately £0.82 per day, with an average draw of 1.5–3kW. Pools are also fully interchangeable between hot and cold functions, giving the operator flexibility as demand shifts. 

If your location has solar panels and/or batteries your costs will be much much lower.

The Build

Every tub is made using cast reinforced low carbon concrete at 75–100mm thickness — a deliberate choice over fibreglass. Concrete tubs carry a projected 128-year lifespan and are fully recyclable at end of life. They don't degrade, discolour, or crack under thermal cycling the way fibreglass can.

Emma chose a pearlescent white glass tile finish: small, light-catching tiles that give the pools a mother-of-pearl shimmer, shifting subtly with the Cornish light across the day. The deck-level design uses balance tanks to create a seamless overflow effect — no scum lines, no visible skimmers, nothing to interrupt the aesthetic.

The filtration system uses recycled crushed glass media sourced from window industry waste — a 7-year lifespan filter that outperforms traditional sand on bacterial prevention (including cryptosporidium and legionella resistance) and runs a self-cleaning reverse cycle to keep maintenance low.

Local character was woven throughout: Cornish timber, a reclaimed details such as cold bucket shower, and upcycled design details that anchor the space to the farm setting around it.

Safety & Standards

Ishka designs and builds to PWTAG compliance — the government's HSE benchmark for public and semi-public pool water treatment. This is not a standard most wellness pool providers meet. For a site like Little Pig, offering public access sessions, this compliance provides genuine peace of mind and legal protection, as well as a meaningful differentiator from beach sauna operators and informal wellness setups.

The Result

The wellness area launched as a standalone business, operating 7am–7pm, seven days a week — separate from the glamping bookings and open to walk-ins. Off-season occupancy at the main site has lifted, and the pool sessions have become a destination in their own right.

James and Emma now have a new revenue stream and are over the moon with the results. If you are considering one for your glamping site, caravan park, Airbnb, hotel or for your own domestic dream spa they are kindly making the site available for evening demonstration visits — for anyone considering a similar project who wants to see a live, working Ishka installation.

Is This Right for Your Site?

Every Ishka project is different. Pool configurations, site conditions, and business models all affect what the right system looks like — and what it costs. We build for glamping sites, hotel spa additions, private estates, and commercial wellness operators, at a range of scales.

If you'd like to try the pools at Little Pig, or talk through what a project might look like for your site, get in touch.

We offer site visits, demonstration sessions at Little Pig after 7pm by arrangement, and straightforward conversations about what's realistic for your budget and goals. Pricing is discussed directly — because it depends on your needs.

"Come and try it first. There's no better way to understand what we build."