A High-Tech Luxury: The Blairs’ Disappearing Swimming Pool
For the ultra-wealthy, luxury often extends beyond opulent furnishings and private jets. One such extravagant feature is the James Bond-style “vanishing” swimming pool, a marvel of modern engineering that can transform a space in an instant. Now, former UK Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair is set to join this exclusive group by installing a £500,000 disappearing pool at his Grade I-listed country mansion.
Sir Tony, who served as Prime Minister from 1997 to 2007, has long been associated with socialist ideals during his political career. However, his personal life tells a different story, one of significant financial success and high-end living. His wife, Cherie, and he are both avid swimmers, and in 2008, they had a £30,000 exercise pool installed in the rear garden of their sprawling home at Wotton House, near Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire.
Now, sources have revealed that the Blairs have enlisted specialists Twinscape to install a high-tech, bespoke movable floor, creating a disappearing swimming pool. This innovation allows the pool to be hidden or revealed with the touch of a button, offering both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
The project is expected to cost around £500,000, a relatively small sum for someone whose net worth is estimated to be up to £60 million. Since leaving office in 2007, the Blairs have expanded their property portfolio significantly, owning approximately 40 homes and flats valued at around £35 million.
Sir Tony’s post-political career has included roles as a Middle East envoy and the founder of the Tony Blair Institute For Global Change, which advises international clients on strategy, policy, and delivery. He also earns up to £200,000 per speaking engagement. However, his wealth pales in comparison to that of his eldest son, Euan, who is reportedly worth £350 million according to The Sunday Times Rich List. Euan owns a £22 million, five-storey townhouse in West London, complete with its own pool.
Twinscape, based in Ipswich, is known for its innovative Hydrofloors, which allow pools to rise or fall at the touch of a button. Using a control panel or touchscreen, owners can transform a walking area into a swimming pool within minutes. While the company remains discreet about its clientele, it has showcased its work in exotic locations such as Kiawah Island in South Carolina and Portofino in Italy. Its products have also been installed in private properties in London and Suffolk.
Wotton House, where the Blairs reside, has a rich history. Built in the early 1700s, it was later rebuilt by architect Sir John Soane after a fire. The seven-bedroom former coach house was once home to historian Sir Arthur Bryant and actor Sir John Gielgud before being purchased by the Blairs in 2008 for around £4 million.
The Blairs faced criticism for “blighting” the estate after moving in, particularly due to the extension of the mansion and the addition of a glass sports pavilion and tennis court. In 2023, they won a two-year planning dispute with conservation charity The Gardens Trust over plans to extend a guesthouse.
Currently, the Blairs’ pool is believed to be a 20ft Riptide Trident PRO, equipped with powerful jets that allow users to swim against the current while staying in the same spot. A spokesman for Sir Tony confirmed that the indoor pool is being modified, with the installation of an automatic cover rather than requiring planning permission.
This latest upgrade highlights the Blairs’ continued investment in luxury and comfort, reflecting their status as one of the most prominent families in British society.
