Independent Living | 11 Comments |
Inclusive & Walk-in Baths
A walk-in bath is an alternative solution to adding a bathlift or seat to your existing bathtub, and there are many baths available with a door in the side, often with a built-in seat as well, which are much easier and safer to access.
Bear in mind that you will need to wait in the bath while it fills and empties, so check that both operations can be accomplished as quickly as possible!
This compact walk-in bath (on the left) has a smart, tempered glass door and slip-resistant floor. It provides a deep soak, while allowing you to bathe in an upright position. It can be installed in really small bathrooms, where a larger bath would not fit.
It has been designed to be easy and safe to operate.
Where space permits and the user has enough mobility to manage without a seat, a full length walk-in bath such as this one on the right, enables you to lie back and soak.
The low threshold door is made from tempered glass with a simple push and pull locking mechanism. Being low level makes it easier to step in and out of the tub.
A stylishly designed unit which combines bath and shower in one enables both facilities to be provided even in a modestly-proportioned bathroom.
The ‘P’ shaped tub with toughened glass screen at one end gives a generous space for showering, and the bath is long enough to recline fully for soak.
An alternative to a walk-in bath, here the side panel drops down to become a load-bearing seat, enabling access to the tub for both ambulant and wheelchair users, who could transfer across, perhaps with some assistance. Once the user is in the bath the side panel closes and the bath can be filled.
An optional feature which appeals to an increasing number of users, is hydrotherapy massage. Several suppliers now offer this in some or all of their walk-in baths. The massaging action of millions of bubbles can help improve circulation, ease aching muscles and provide some relief from the pain of arthritis or rheumatism.
A warm air body dryer (right) may be helpful for people with mobility and dexterity problems, for whom towel drying can be difficult. Painful skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis could also be eased. The dryer draws in warm air while the bath or shower is running, then expels it when required, to dry the body in minutes.
Article ends – click to return to top or check out related resources below
Further reading and resources
Interested in making your bathroom safer? Visit our bathroom safety section
See also the bathroom products in the Care Professional section

I like the look of the compact walk-in bath pictured, but have not seen it anywhere. I would be grateful if you could provide a link so that I can get dimensions and other details please
Hi Jackie,
The best way to get more information about the walk-in bath is to get in contact directly with the suppliers (Gainsborough Specialist Bathing) listed in the righthand sidebar. You can send them a message via the following email address: info@Gainsboroughbaths.com
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if there’s anything else you want to ask.
Best wishes,
Liane
hi
can you give any idea where the drop sided baths are available from as i cant seem to find them on any website i have looked at ?
Hello Ian
Yes – the drop-sided bath comes from Kingkraft. https://www.kingkraft.co.uk/collections/bathrooms/products/contour-bath (external link will open in a new browser window)
If you contact them, please can you let them know that you got the information from the Independent Living website?
Best wishes,
Frances
I have been looking for a walk in shower or wet room for my wife, I will put it in as I can do a bit of DIY and I have found a few cheap showers,,, BUT,,,, as soon as you say for the disabled person the cost goes sky hi, That is so unfair for these people, WHAT is wrong with these shops and disabled places, is it just money money ????
And as the saying goes B….. YOU JACK I have it and you dont. I will never give these disabled places a penny and let them sink and I hope many will with the virus still around.
Regards
Husband.
I am looking for a walk in bath for my Mother, she had someone round yesterday and was quoted 10K just for a bath.
I am looking to help her, but don’t live with her so it is difficult. I think the price is crazy to any help will be appreciated
Kind regards
Lynda
Hello Lynda
That is an extraordinary price for a walk-in bath, unless it had expensive extras, such as a powered seat to get her in and out of the tub. Even then. Upwards of £1500 for the bath tub is a rough guide – up to around £5000 for something all singing and dancing.
I think you should get some more quotes. Her local authority or the local home improvement agency should be able to give details of “trusted tradespeople” who will do a good job at a fair price. You can look for the local HIA here: https://www.findmyhia.org.uk (external link will open in a new browser window)
See whether you can join in on Skype or Zoom the next time someone comes round to advise her – you will be able to get a feel for them, and ask any questions directly.
Good luck and best wishes,
Frances
What can you recomend in the way of deap soak type baths. My daughter has to be lowered into a bath. Currently sits in a normal bath with legs boiling and top freezing. Would like to lower her into a deep bath using a hoist suspended from celing but looking for a deep bath, preferably with a seat.
Hello Philip
Thank you for asking your question on Independent Living. The deep soak walk-in bath with a moulded seat shown at the top of this page comes from Companion.
Gainsborough Baths also have deep soak walk-in baths with a seat – in a range of sizes. You can contact them by phone, 01527 400022 or email info@Gainsboroughbaths.com
Before selecting a bath, you need to check that it will be compatible with the hoist you plan to use to transfer your daughter: they are usually designed with the needs of ambulant users in mind.
I hope this helps. Please don’t hesitate to come back to me if there is anything else you would like to ask.
Best wishes,
Frances
I’m looking for a bath for my father who is 91 he needs the one with a seat to sit on like your top bath on the advertisement.
Hello Wendy
Thank you for asking your question on Independent Living. The compact walk-in bath with a moulded seat shown at the top of this page comes from a company called Companion.
Gainsborough Baths also have deep soak walk-in baths with a seat – in a range of sizes. You can contact them by phone, 01527 400022 or email info@Gainsboroughbaths.com
I hope this helps. Please don’t hesitate to come back to me if there is anything else you would like to ask.
Best wishes,
Frances