Don’t get us wrong, we love London and all of its stunning spa options but sometimes all we want is to escape the capital’s busyness and book in for a rural retreat in the countryside. If you’re longing to find the perfect spa break outside of London too, we’ve got you covered with our edit of the best spas outside of London.
Whether you’re booking for a Galentine’s getaway or a couples spa retreat for Valentine’s, the UK is home to some of the finest spa options around. These are our favourites…
The best spas outside London
Coworth Park
Renowned for its Michelin-starred restaurant, immaculate suites and stunning Berkshire parkland, Coworth Park is an ideal hotel for a romantic countryside getaway. Pair that alongside their luxury spa, home to deep tissue massages, rejuvenating facials and luscious pool, you can’t go wrong.
And at an incredibly handy 45 minutes from central London, The Spa at Coworth Park is the perfect city escape. Book in and leave the experts to soothe away every tense knot in your body.
Where: Blacknest Road, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7SE
Website: www.dorchestercollection.com
Cliveden House
Every ounce of Cliveden House is beautiful and it’s home to one of the best spas outside of London. From the moment you drive down the immaculately groomed driveway to the grandeur interiors and sublime spa, it’ll feel like you’re stepping into a fairytale.
Relax the afternoon away in one of their luxurious hot tubs or soak up the sun by their outside pool. If the weather is looking a little temperamental, book in for a treatment inside. They currently have a residency with Proverb, so expect essential oil massages and whole days personalised to you.
Where: Taplow, Berkshire, SL6 0JF
Website: www.clivedenhouse.co.uk
The Coach House Spa, Beaverbrook
Surrey’s best-kept secret, Beaverbrook is home to one of the best spas outside of London. Put yourself first for once and book in for a wellness makeover, where you can delight in everything from dips by the pool with views over the Surrey Hills or treatments in one of their six dedicated treatment rooms, including a special Couples Suite that’s perfect for Valentine’s.
Enjoy the Thermal Spa, making use of the jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and ice fountain before tucking into a nutritious lunch at The Coach House Deli.
where: Reigate Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 8QX
website: www.beaverbrook.co.uk
Great Fosters
For those searching for a quick getaway within striking distance of London, Great Fosters is the place to bookmark. Here you’ll find this Surrey hotel is home to an art-deco heated outdoor pool and several treatment rooms spread across the Estate.
From Swedish body massages to body detox treatments, couples treatments to whole days dedicated to the pool, there’s something for everyone here. Finish the day off with a night at one of their restaurants before heading to one of their suites.
Where: Stroude Road, Egham, Surrey, TW20 9UR
Website: www.alexanderhotels.co.uk
The Scarlet
For an eco escape, look to Cornwall’s The Scarlet. You can expect this humble hotel to tick all of the right boxes, from stunning sea views from the hot tub to dips in their outdoor natural reed pool.
This hotel puts sustainability at the forefront of everything they do, and this includes its spa offering. As well as the natural pool, expect a bromine-filtered indoor pool, clifftop wooden sauna, restorative steam room and treatments inspired by Ayurveda, an Indian holistic health system.
Where: Tredragon Road, Mawgan Porth, Cornwall, TR8 4DQ
Website: www.scarlethotel.co.uk
Dormy House
Escape the city pressures and book in for a spa retreat experience at Dormy House. The Worcestershire farmhouse is home to a Scandi-inspired spa, complete with a bathing room, thermal suite, treatment rooms and even a fitness suite if you’re that way inclined while on holiday.
Enjoy everything from detox facials to head massages, exfoliating treatments to a floatation experience that helps you with deep relaxation, meditation, stress relief, pain relief and recovery from injury.
Where: Farncombe Estate, Broadway, Worcestershire, WR12 7LJ
Website: www.dormyhouse.co.uk
Calcot & Spa
Gloucestershire’s Calcot & Spa is an absolute dream. At this little countryside haven, you’ll be able to relax in the balmy outdoor heated tubs, work up a sweat at their first-rate gym and book in for endless treatments with their expert team.
They can craft the experience around you, whether you’re looking for a full day, half day or even a mini evening spa session. You’ll leave here wondering if it’s worth going back to London life at all…
Where: Tetbury, Gloucestershire, GL8 8YJ
Website: www.calcot.co
The Gainsborough Bath Spa
It wouldn’t be a UK spa guide without a mention of a retreat in Bath. Our top pick? The Gainsborough Bath Spa thanks to its dedication to using original thermal springs and tapping into the city’s thermal water heritage.
And it certainly pulls out all of the stops. Hidden inside you’ll find giant stone pillars guarding the crystal clear pool, surrounded by cosy beds that you can easily fall asleep on. Expect a mix of body therapies and classic treatments too, all focusing on personalised aromatherapy.
Where: Beau Street, Bath, BA1 1QY
Website: www.thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk
Chewton Glen
The sister hotel to Cliveden House, Chewton Glen is best known for its luxury treehouses. It’s set in 130 acres of Hampshire countryside, borders on New Forest and is home to a stunning spa too.
Radiating the beauty of nature thanks to its close proximity to the New Forest and seaside, grab yourself a fluffy robe and book in for a break to remember. Enjoy bespoke facials, couples treatments or simply relax in the pools all afternoon long.
Where: New Forest, Hampshire, BH25 6QS
Website: www.chewtonglen.com
Lime Wood
Another New Forest gem, this time we’re visiting Lime Wood and its Herb House Spa. Dedicated to natural wellbeing and inspired by its forest surroundings, you’ll instantly feel at ease when you visit this rural oasis.
The space is spread over three levels and is home to a massive sauna, hydro pool with views over the forest, a mud house, an outdoor steaming hot pool and multiple treatment rooms. You’ll leave here feeling a whole lot more zen.
Where: Beaulieu Road, Lyndhurst, Hampshire, SO43 7FZ
Website: www.limewoodhotel.co.uk
Cottonmill Spa, Sopwell House
Hidden inside Sopwell House, you’ll find Cottonmill Spa, a treatment space home to vitality pools, sauna, steam room and gym. All of these facilities are available as complimentary to all hotel residents.
However, if you want to level up your girls’ retreat, you’ll want access to The Club at Cottonmill. The UK’s first private members’ spa, The Club is home to a plethora of other facilities and spaces that are reserved exclusively for a select few to enjoy.
Think an indoor and outdoor massaging hydrotherapy pool, access to a spa garden, whisper room, garden room, panoramic sauna, botanical steam room and even a salt steam room. It doesn’t get better than this.
Where: Cottonmill Lane, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 2HQ
Website: www.sopwellhouse.co.uk
The Gleneagles Hotel
Feel your stress and anxieties wash away in an instant when you enjoy a spa day at Perthshire’s The Gleneagles Hotel. The space brings a touch of its surroundings to play in the interiors and treatments, using a range of oil blends that feature natural botanicals from the local countryside.
Dip in and out of the pool, book yourself in for a spa day or even take part in one of their wellness retreats.
Where: Auchterarder, Perthshire, Scotland, PH3 1NF
Website: www.gleneagles.com
