Looking for a luxurious escape? A spa break is the perfect way to unwind and rejuvenate – whether you’re seeking a relaxed day with friends or a full weekend getaway. Get ready to indulge in blissful treatments and relax in serene surroundings, all within easy reach of London.
Tranquil Gardens and Luxurious Treatments at Sopwell House
Nestled amidst tranquil gardens designed by an RHS Gold Medal winner, the Cottonmill Spa at Sopwell House offers an extensive range of facilities. From thermal rooms and salt and steam rooms to the UK’s largest panoramic sauna with breathtaking outdoor views, you’ll need a full day to explore it all. For those living nearby, consider joining the Club at Cottonmill, granting access to the botanical steam room, quiet zones, and cozy cabanas around the fire pit.
Indulge in the Signature Inner Harmony massage, a unique blend of Swedish and neuromuscular techniques that relieves tension and promotes deep relaxation with lymphatic drainage and a selection of 12 plant and flower oils. Sopwell House is conveniently located just two miles from St Albans station, with direct trains from St Pancras International taking just 20 minutes. The hotel is also a short drive from major motorways.
A Victorian Mansion Transformed: Beaverbrook Spa
Escape to the picturesque Surrey Hills and discover Beaverbrook, a historic Victorian mansion where legends like Elizabeth Taylor and Winston Churchill once gathered. The modern Coach House Spa is a sight to behold, showcasing bold design elements – stained-glass windows and tilework that mirror the surrounding countryside.
Embrace the holistic healing philosophy at Beaverbrook. The seasonal Autumn Nourishment package is a must-try, featuring a breathwork session, hot stone treatment, and a full-body massage. Direct trains from London to Leatherhead take around 45 minutes, followed by a short taxi ride. By car, it’s about an hour from west London.
Sequoia Spa: A Serene Retreat at The Grove
Just 18 miles from London, The Grove is a five-star retreat with a recently revamped Sequoia Spa that’s perfect for serious pampering. Indulge in rituals, massages, and facials from the renowned British brand, Bamford. The black mosaic-tiled pool and heat experience rooms provide the ultimate escape from the British winter, while the lush gardens and loungers are ideal for summer days.
Book a spa day for the full experience, or opt for the affordable De-Stress Experience, which includes a Bamford full-body massage and full use of the facilities from 9am to 9pm. The Grove is conveniently located just 15 minutes by train to Watford Junction, followed by a short taxi ride.
Modern Luxury and Natural Beauty: South Lodge Spa
Prepare to be impressed by South Lodge Spa, a sleek and modern oasis that seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor spaces. The natural 18-meter heated wild swimming pool is the centerpiece of the spa, surrounded by 14 nature-themed treatment rooms. Relax and rejuvenate in the thermal suite, featuring an infused sauna, marble-lined salt steam room, jasmine herbal steam rooms, and a multi-level terraced sun deck with outdoor hydrotherapy pools for warmer days.
Experience the Comfort Zone Pro-Sleep Treatment, a blissful experience designed to calm a busy mind and promote deep sleep. This unique treatment uses soft brushes to activate sensorial receptors on the skin that aid healing and relaxation. South Lodge is conveniently located between Haywards Heath and Horsham, with easy access from London by car. Horsham station is also just a short drive away, with trains to London Victoria taking approximately 50 minutes.
Escapism and Luxury: Cliveden Spa
Escape to Cliveden, a magnificent estate nestled in 376 acres of stunning gardens and parkland. Its recently renovated spa, open to members and hotel guests, offers a sanctuary of tranquility. Relax by the indoor pool or explore the garden, where you’ll find the historic Profumo pool, the last remaining listed outdoor pool in England. Each treatment room features water mattresses, the perfect antidote for tight muscles.
The Oskia treatment menu offers a holistic approach to wellness, combining acupressure, specialist bodywork, reflexology, and lymphatic drainage with results-driven formulas. The Oskia bespoke facial is highly recommended for brighter, more radiant skin. Cliveden is conveniently located 45 minutes west of London by car and just 20 minutes from Heathrow Airport.
A Timeless Estate with a Modern Spa: Ockenden Manor
Step back in time at Ockenden Manor, an Elizabethan manor house set in breathtaking grounds. However, the state-of-the-art spa is a testament to modern luxury. Indulge in the indoor and outdoor heated swimming pool, eight luxurious treatment rooms, and a flotation tank, guaranteed to leave you feeling restored and revitalized.
The spa itself is nestled within a 19th-century walled garden, with the pool fed by the hotel’s own natural underground spring. The Elemental Herbology Rebalancing Ritual is a standout treatment, incorporating hot Thai compresses to release tension, stretches and acupressure to boost energy, a foot scrub, and a brightening facial. It’s two hours of pure bliss. Ockenden Manor is a short taxi ride from Haywards Heath station, located on the mainline between London and Brighton, and about an hour’s drive from central London.
Realign and Rebalance: The Bothy at Heckfield Place
The Bothy at Heckfield Place is a vast space that sets a new standard for UK hotel spas. Open only to hotel guests, this serene retreat is designed for realignment and rebalancing. The treatments, ranging from reiki and reflexology to massages, all utilize Wildsmith Skin products and are offered at dawn, noon, and dusk to align with your circadian rhythm. To encourage relaxation, there are no clocks in the spa, and phones must be left at reception.
Treat yourself to the heavenly Wildsmith Time treatment, a 135-minute experience that combines kinesiology to identify weak spots, craniosacral holds to soothe tension, and a top-to-toe massage with Wildsmith products. After your treatment, relax in the sauna and sun room. The closest station is Winchfield, reachable from Waterloo via Farnborough. The drive along the M4 from central London takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
A Quick Escape: The Retreat at Elcot Park
The Retreat at Elcot Park is a popular choice for a quick rural escape. While the spa is on the smaller side, the treatments are exceptional and the facilities are extensive. Enjoy hydrotherapy pools, sauna and steam rooms, a salt flotation room, and a mud rasul. Treatments are open to hotel guests, members, and non-residents, allowing you to book in for a spa day, which includes afternoon tea, a treatment, and use of the facilities. Prices start from £140 for a full day.
The Gaia Jade Facial is a must-try, leaving your skin glowing thanks to healing crystal wands that stimulate lymphatic drainage and blood flow. Elcot Park is about 1 hour and 45 minutes from London. Newbury station is a 15-minute taxi ride, with a direct service to Paddington taking 40 minutes.
A Subterranean Sanctuary: The Langley Spa
The Langley is a hidden gem in Buckinghamshire, a former country estate that has undergone a million-pound renovation. Forbidden from building upwards, an impressive subterranean spa was created, featuring a 16-meter marble-lined swimming pool, hammams, vitality pools, Himalayan salt-walled sauna, and an amethyst steam room. For those looking for a more active escape, book a session with PT Matt Roberts, who heads up the cutting-edge fitness suite and offers bespoke wellness programmes.
Choose from a wide selection of treatments from Sisley, La Sultane de Saba, and Margaret Dabbs. The Sisley Supreme Facial will leave your skin restored, while the signature Spa Journeys are blissful, two-hour treatments inspired by native wellness traditions. The Langley is a 40-minute drive from central London, or take a direct train from London Paddington to Slough (13 minutes), followed by a ten-minute taxi ride.
