Waresley Park Estate: How wild swimming shaped a new way of staying
Tucked into the Cambridgeshire countryside, Waresley Park Estate is not your typical country estate. While its history runs deep, its present-day identity is refreshingly modern: a place built around slowing down, stepping outside, and reconnecting—with nature and with yourself.
Today, the estate brings together wild swimming, sauna and spa experiences, nature-led accommodation, a coffee roastery and café, and a carefully curated programme of events and outdoor activities. The atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious. No stiff formality. Just beautifully considered experiences in a remarkable setting.
Where it all began
“Wellness at Waresley Park Estate started with wild swimming.”
What began as a thoughtfully designed lake experience quickly developed into a strong and loyal community. Regular swimmers returned week after week, and the estate became a place people wanted to spend more time—not just for a dip, but for the atmosphere around it.
“People didn’t want the experience to end after a swim,” they explain. “There was a clear appetite to stay longer and fully switch off.”
Reimagining overnight stays
Rather than adding conventional accommodation, the estate looked for something that felt immersive, design-led, and deeply connected to the landscape.
“We wanted the accommodation to feel secondary to the view,” they say. “It was about creating a ‘View with a Room’ rather than a ‘Room with a View’.”
That philosophy led them to Iglucraft.
“When we discovered Iglucraft, the design immediately resonated with us. It felt timeless rather than trend-driven, which was incredibly important. The cabins sit quietly in the landscape and don’t try to compete with it.”
From the initial idea to welcoming overnight guests, the process took around 12 to 18 months, covering concept development, planning permission, manufacturing in Estonia, shipping, installation, and final landscaping.
Planning the experience, not just the cabins
A significant amount of time was spent planning how the cabins would sit within the estate.
“We looked closely at access, services, privacy, and guest movement,” they explain. “Every unit is positioned so you can’t see any other accommodation—just an uninterrupted view.”
The cabins were never considered in isolation.
“We planned them as part of a wider experience,” they add. “Swimming, sauna, rest, food, and nature all needed to flow together.”
As with most countryside developments in the UK, planning permission and approvals were required. Visual impact, environmental considerations, utilities, and access were all carefully addressed in collaboration with local authorities.
Delivery, installation, and sharing the journey
Delivery and installation were straightforward.
“The cabins arrived well protected, and installation went very smoothly. Our in-house team handled the process, which made everything efficient.”
Marketing began early.
“We shared the journey as it was happening,” they say. “That helped build anticipation. By the time the cabins and sauna were ready, people already felt invested in the story.”
Standard cabins and a custom sauna
Waresley Park Estate installed eight standard M4 cabins, which suited the site perfectly.
“The standard models worked really well for us. They allowed us to scale accommodation without overcomplicating things.”
For the sauna, however, a bespoke solution made more sense.
“We needed to match the capacity of our swim sessions, so we opted for a larger, custom Panoramic sauna with space for up to 12 people,” they explain. “The customisation allowed us to fine-tune details such as lighting and layout, ensuring the atmosphere matched the rest of the estate’s wellness offering and felt considered.”
