Locked down again? Check out these Harrogate properties with a hot-tub

Property company Good Move recently analysed 2020 Google search data for specific home features and found that searches for properties with hot-tubs increased by a whopping 139 per cent over the year – the second-biggest increase recorded.

It’s easy to see why they’re popular, given that lockdown has seen the closure of swimming pools and other leisure facilities. As far back as June, eBay reported that sales of hot-tubs had shot up by over 1,000 per cent in the UK, and manufacturers struggled to keep up with demand as retailers sold out.

If anything, the colder weather simply makes hot-tubs even more appealing – lounging around in hot bubbles while the snow falls is on a lot of people’s bucket-lists – and many hot-tub rental businesses were inundated with enquiries over the Christmas break.

If you want your own to keep, expect to pay £300-400 for an inflatable version, but for a sturdier model, multiply that by 10, 20 or more, depending on how many ‘bells and whistles’ you want.

One current best-seller seats six, has three pumps, 41 jets, LED lights and Bluetooth speakers – and is yours for the knockdown price of £5,500.

There are quite a few properties currently on the market in our area that already have hot-tubs, and the entertainment area that often goes with them. The following are three of the best.

In Harrogate, 33A Rossett Drive is a large detached house with most of its rooms on the ground floor. It has six bedrooms and four bathrooms – two en suite bedrooms occupy the upper floor, where there is also eaves storage space – plus a spacious kitchen-diner (with underfloor heating), utility room, hallway, lounge, study and extra utility space.

There is also an integral double garage with gym and home cinema adjoining. Outside, there are electric gates, off-street parking, gardens and a generous patio area with hot-tub.

In Pateley Bridge, Hawkridge Cottage is a detached house on high ground at the top of New Church Street, with far-reaching views across Nidderdale. Built on a hill, it has outside doors on more than one floor, allowing for an unusual layout. On the ground floor there are four bedrooms – the master gives onto the conservatory – plus two bathrooms, and on the first floor there’s another en suite bathroom, plus kitchen and two good-sized reception rooms.

The utility room occupies the second floor. Outside, there’s a paved front garden and a back garden which is fully decked with integral store, outdoor lighting, fitted electric patio-heaters and hot-tub area. There are also electric gates, off-street parking and a double garage with a sauna.

Finally, 6 Manor Farm Way is part of an exclusive development tucked away in a quiet cul-de-sac in Scotton, near Knaresborough. It has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a large kitchen-diner, hall, study, lounge, and an integral double garage. Outside, there’s a garden/terrace area that has been designed as an entertainment area, complete with its own built-in fire pit, outside bar area and hot-tub.