We have been shortlisted for the EUSA Awards 2026, in the Best Domestic Outdoor Pools category. EUSA is the European Union of Swimming Pool and Spa Associations, so this puts the build up against the best in Europe, not just the best in Britain. The pool that got us there is in a garden in Bedfordshire, a short drive from our yard in Sharnbrook.
The pool that was shortlisted
A long rectangular outdoor pool, set flush into a full porcelain terrace so the water sits level with the paving. The interior is a pale finish, which is what gives the water that light blue colour. Around it runs a dark contrasting coping, and wide entry steps drop into one corner rather than eating into the swimming length.
The rest of the garden was planned around it. There is a pool house with bi-fold doors and an outdoor kitchen at one end, a covered pergola with loungers along one side, and room left over for a dining table and a table tennis table. The lawn was cut back in a curve to hold the whole terrace.
Our award record
We do not describe ourselves as award-winning loosely. Here is exactly what we have won, and in which category.
| Award | Category |
|---|---|
| Gold, SPATA | Residential outdoor pool under £40,000 |
| Bronze, SPATA | Residential outdoor pool, £50,000 to £75,000 |
| Gold, UK Pool & Spa | Pool technician |
| Silver, UK Pool & Spa | Energy efficiency |
SPATA is the Swimming Pool and Allied Trades Association, and its awards are the highest independently recognised standard in UK pool building. Winners are judged by the trade, on the finished work.
Why the Gold under £40,000 matters most
Most award-winning builders win at the top end. We won our Gold in the under £40,000 category, for a small family pool.
That is the useful part for you. It says a modest budget still gets the design thinking, not a scaled-down version of it. On that build the difference came from decisions that cost nothing extra: wide black copings that tricked the eye into reading more space, and setting the pool at 45 degrees to the house so it echoed the angles of the building. The same instinct runs through the pool above.
What we build
Plunge pools, when the garden is small or the budget needs to work harder. Family outdoor pools, which is the bulk of what we do. Indoor pools and pool halls, where the building matters as much as the water. Hydrotherapy and wellness pools. And commercial pools for hotels, clubs and holiday sites, built to the standards that use demands.
Our engineers are SPATA and ISPE approved, which is why the technician Gold sits in that table above. We build them, then we look after them.
Where we work
Our yard is in Sharnbrook, north Bedfordshire, and we build across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire. That covers Bedford, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Luton, Cambridge, Peterborough, St Albans, Stevenage and the towns between them. We travel further for the right project.
FAQ
Who are the best swimming pool builders in Bedfordshire? Look for independent proof rather than claims. Blue Cube Pools holds Gold and Bronze SPATA awards, a Gold UK Pool & Spa award for pool technician and a Silver for energy efficiency, and is shortlisted for the EUSA Awards 2026 for Best Domestic Outdoor Pools.
How much does a swimming pool cost to build? It depends on size, finish and groundwork. Our SPATA categories give you a real sense of the brackets we work in, from under £40,000 up through £75,000 and beyond. We will give you a straight figure before you commit to anything.
Do you build indoor pools as well as outdoor? Yes. We design and build both, plus hydrotherapy and wellness pools, and commercial pools.
What does SPATA accreditation actually mean? SPATA members are independently vetted on workmanship and standards. It is the benchmark to check before you let anyone dig up your garden.
How long does a pool build take? It varies with groundwork, weather and the design. We give you a build programme up front and tell you honestly where the risks sit. [CONFIRM: add your typical range in weeks.]
Talk to us about your project
Tell us your garden, your budget and how you want to use the pool. We will tell you honestly what is possible, including when a plunge pool serves you better than a big one. See more of our work on our award-winning pools page, or get in touch.
