Written by the Hot Tub Experts at A6 Hot Tubs
The UK is about to get its best solar eclipse since 1999, and it lands on a summer evening. So it is the perfect excuse for a party. Even better if you are watching it warm, drink in hand, from your hot tub. Here is how to make a night of it, and the tubs built for the occasion.
When is the 2026 solar eclipse?
The solar eclipse happens on the evening of Wednesday 12 August 2026. In the UK it is a deep partial eclipse, with the Moon covering roughly 90 to 96% of the Sun, the most since the famous 1999 eclipse. According to the Royal Observatory Greenwich, it is the best eclipse visible from the UK and Ireland so far this century.
A few quick facts for your party planning:
- Date: Wednesday 12 August 2026, in the evening.
- Timing: it begins around 6pm and peaks near 7pm, though exact times vary by where you are.
- Coverage: about 96% in Cornwall and the south-west, around 91% in London, a little less in the north.
- Where to look: low in the west, so you need a clear western horizon.
Why a hot tub is the perfect eclipse spot
Because it is an evening eclipse, low in the west, this is a sit-back-and-watch event, not a rush. So a hot tub in the garden is honestly ideal. You are warm as the evening cools, you have a drink to hand, and everyone is gathered in one place facing the sunset.
And it gets better. The same night, once the eclipse ends and the sky darkens, the Perseid meteor shower peaks in a moonless sky, as BBC Sky at Night notes. So you can watch the eclipse at dusk, then stay in the warm water for the shooting stars after dark. One tub, two shows.
Stay safe: glasses on
One serious point before the fun. There is no safe moment to look at this eclipse with the naked eye anywhere in the UK, because the Sun is never fully covered. So everyone at your party needs certified eclipse glasses, worn the whole time they are looking at the Sun. Sunglasses will not do. Get proper CE-marked eclipse glasses in advance, one pair per guest, and you are set.
The best hot tubs for an eclipse party
For a party, you want seats, room and a bit of atmosphere. Here are three from our range that suit the occasion.
| Tub | Seats | Price | Why it suits a party |
|---|---|---|---|
| SB415R | 6 | 4,499 | Round layout for 5-6 people, designed for holiday lets and parties |
| 9120-S | 12 | 13,499 | Our biggest 12 seater tub, a true party spa with 62 jets, waterfall, WiFi and Bluetooth sound |
| SB354S | 5 | Enquire | A WhatSpa Best Buy, great value 7 seater hot tub for family & friends gatherings |
A round tub like the SB415R is our pick for a sociable eclipse party, because everyone can see each other and the western sky at once. For a bigger crowd, the 12-seat 9120-S is a genuine party tub, with lighting, a waterfall and Bluetooth sound to carry the night once the meteor shower starts. Planning for a group? Our best 6 seater guide walks through the options.
Setting the scene
A few simple touches make the night:
- Point the seating west so everyone faces the eclipse without turning.
- Get the glasses ready in advance, one pair per guest.
- Sort drinks and nibbles within reach before you get in.
- Turn the jet lights on as the sky darkens for the meteor shower.
- Have towels and a robe handy for anyone hopping out between shows.
People also ask
When is the solar eclipse in 2026? The next solar eclipse visible from the UK is on the evening of Wednesday 12 August 2026. It is a deep partial eclipse, with 90 to 96% of the Sun covered, the best seen from the UK since 1999.
Can you watch the 2026 solar eclipse without glasses? No. There is no safe naked-eye phase anywhere in the UK, because the Sun is never fully covered. Everyone needs certified eclipse glasses for the whole event.
What time is the solar eclipse on 12 August 2026? It begins around 6pm and reaches maximum around 7pm, though exact timings vary by location. It happens low in the western sky, so you need a clear western horizon.
Is a hot tub a good place to watch the eclipse? Yes. It is an evening eclipse, so you can relax and watch it warm from the water, then stay in for the Perseid meteor shower that peaks the same night once it goes dark.
Which hot tub is best for a party? A larger, sociable tub works best. A round 6-seater like the SB415R lets everyone face each other, while the 12-seat 9120-S is a true party spa with lighting, a waterfall and Bluetooth sound for a bigger group.
Make the eclipse one to remember
The next eclipse this good is decades away, so this one is worth doing properly. If you fancy watching it from your own hot tub, come and see our party-size range at our Sharnbrook showroom in Bedfordshire, or call the team on 0800 037 0803, and we will help you find the right one in time for the big night.
