From hotels to spas, bistros to botanical gardens, we’re thrilled to witness Ornate Garden Pods being installed outside businesses of all kinds around the UK, with incredible results.
In these difficult times for the hospitality industry, it's not hard to see why so many companies are turning to outdoor pods. An Ornate Garden Pod allows businesses to make the most of their outside space, turning often unused real estate into a functional, weatherproof, and ‘Instagrammable’ outdoor room that’s guaranteed to attract customers and make them stand out from the crowd.
Let’s take a look at some examples of UK companies that are already maximising their gardens and grounds with outdoor pods. And if you end up feeling inspired, don’t hesitate to contact us at Pods & Pavilions to discuss your own business’s needs.
The Lobster Pod Bistro, Devon
Image credit: The Lobster Pod Bistro
The Lobster Pod Bistro in Hope Cove has chosen to capitalise on its outdoor space with a collection of pods for the garden. Customers can dine in style inside the pods, enjoying a delicious array of seafood and spectacular coastal views, all while remaining warm and dry, whatever the weather.
The eight pods are a stunning addition to their main rustic cabin with bench seating and are reservable for dining. They are often booked out far in advance, especially during the peak summer season, so there’s no denying the pods work to pull in customers!
If you have a garden with a great view, don’t miss out on maximising it year-round – check out our commercial pods for sale now to find the perfect outside pod for your space.
The Malvern Spa, Worcestershire
Image credit: The Malvern Spa Where better to relax and unwind with friends than an outdoor pod? This was certainly the thinking of The Malvern Spa, who installed Ornate Garden Pods around their outdoor hydrotherapy pool area to offer visitors private spaces to enjoy poolside refreshments.
The pods are decked out with blankets and cushions, which, along with the built-in lighting, heating and Bluetooth speakers, makes them cosy and inviting. The staff even serve drinks and snacks to the pod, so spa-goers can fully relax and enjoy the ambience!
By promoting their garden dome pods on social media (where they consistently get rave reviews!) and offering the option to reserve them in advance, the spa has created a unique feature that attracts customers wanting to add an extra special touch to their luxury spa experience.
Sculpture by the Lakes, Dorset
Image credit: Sculpture by the Lakes
At Sculpture by the Lakes, a beautiful botanical garden in Dorset, garden pods have been perfectly slotted into the stunning natural surroundings, with an Ornate Garden Rotating Pod and an Oval House Garden Pod nestled amongst greenery on the lakeshore.
On the upper deck of the Retreat, one of our spacious 10-seater Oval House Pods overlooks the River Frome. Each pod garden room is available to hire and makes the perfect setting for a special occasions.
"The garden pods have been a fantastic addition to Sculpture by the Lakes," says Simon Gudgeon, owner of Sculpture by the Lakes. "Blending beautifully into the landscape, they offer visitors a unique space to connect with nature. Guests can hire the pods for the day, creating private, serene spaces within the park to celebrate special events or simply relax and take in the surrounding wildlife.”
If you’re considering purchasing a pod yourself, you can make an appointment to view the pods on display at Sculpture by the Lakes – simply call Nathalie on 07940 831707 to arrange.
The Old Volunteer Pub, Nottinghamshire
Image credit: The Old Volunteer Pub
Fancy a drink down the pod – I mean pub? The Old Volunteer Pub offers its patrons the chance to enjoy a tipple or two in its beautiful beer garden, which has several Ornate Garden Wheel Benches and Pods.
Along with other features such as gazebos, sushi bars and fire pits, The Old Vic has used pods to turn its garden into an outdoor oasis. The undercover, heated and insulated garden pods ensure that the party can continue, even when the weather isn’t playing ball.
The small summer house pods are bookable from April to September and are marketed towards customers wanting a space for an intimate gathering at this gastro pub.
Ornate Garden Pod FAQs
1. What type of businesses can benefit from outdoor pods?
Any business with an outdoor area looking to increase its usable space can benefit from Ornate Garden pods! Popular examples include restaurants and bars looking to boost their dining capacity, hotels or spas that need relaxation spaces or private treatment rooms, and commercial offices that use them as outdoor office pods or meeting rooms.
2. Do outdoor pods require planning permission?
Generally speaking, our pods do not require planning permission. However, there may be some exceptions to this, for example, if your business building is listed or in an area called ‘designated land’, or if the land is considered to be undergoing a ‘change of use’. If you’d like to discuss this further, please give us a call or consult your local planning authority.
3. How do I use my outdoor pod(s) to attract customers?
To attract customers, you can promote the benefits of garden pods in the UK.
For example, you can offer clients the chance to book a private summerhouse, dining space or event venue for their group that will be heated and comfortable in all weathers - essential when considering our changeable climate!
The pods are very visually appealing, so we recommend adding photos to your website gallery and sharing them on your social media channels. They naturally attract attention! Encourage your customers to take and share snaps too to get the word out.
4. Will I need to furnish or decorate the pod?
Our pods have various configurations of built-in seating, tables, lighting and heating, depending on the model, and are ready to use. We even have a new OvalBar Garden Pod that comes with a built-in bar and bar fridge!
You can choose the colour of the seat covers, which is great for personalising your pod to your brand. Some businesses choose to accessorise their pods with additional cushions, blankets and furnishings, but this is entirely optional.
You could also consider decorating your pods for the season – for example, with cobwebs and pumpkins for Halloween, or with fairy lights and fake snow for Christmas (we love an igloo garden pod in the UK in winter!)
5. How do I install my outdoor pod?
Don’t worry – our team will install your pod for you! Check out our guide to the installation of Ornate Garden pods for an idea of how this works – just bear in mind that the process may vary for commercial projects. You will need to make sure the ground is ready for installation before our team arrives and employ a qualified electrician to connect it to your mains power.
6. How quickly can I get an outdoor pod installed?
Our pods from Ornate Garden are built-to-order and are usually ready for delivery within just 2 – 4 weeks from your order date. If you need something more urgently, please give us a call as we may still be able to help you.
Ready to Invest in Your Business’s Future?
Here at Pods & Pavilions, we’d love to help you get ahead of your competitors by taking your outside space to the next level. Our range of commercial pods come with heating, lighting and Bluetooth speaker options, so you can use them 365 days of the year, and create the perfect welcoming atmosphere for your customers.
Contact us today or call Nathalie on 07940 831707 to discuss your requirements.
Comments