Best spa experiences

Treetop spas 

For complete serenity, it doesn’t get much better than a treetop spa nestled deep in the forest. Chewton Glen’s treehouses in the New Forest have hot tubs, wood burners and secluded balconies, with daily breakfast hampers and room service delivered so you don’t need to leave. If you fancy it though, walk down to their award-winning spa for hydrotherapy, sauna and treatments. 

Down in Devon, the treehouses at Wolf Wood feature their own personal in-room spa, as well as a hot tub overlooking the woodlands with views of Dartmoor National Park. With cosy, rustic interiors laid out over three interlinking spaces in the treetops, you’re guaranteed a totally peaceful and private experience. 

The Treetop Spa at the Old Inn in Bangor has an outdoor pool and hot tub, sauna and steam room and plenty of comfortable spaces to relax surrounded by the sounds of the forest. Visit for a day, or extend to an overnight stay in one of their charming bedrooms or cottages, with dinner and breakfast included. 

Urban spa breaks 

To combine your town or city visit with a spot of wellness, check in to one of these urban spas to get the best of both worlds. The city of Bath is famous for its ancient spas, so do as the Romans did and bathe in its naturally mineral-rich waters. Thermae Bath Spa is the only one of its kind in Britain. Its design blends old and new – soak in the historic spa buildings, before heading out to the rooftop pool with views of the city.  

In Yorkshire, Harrogate’s Rudding Park has a beautiful rooftop spa that’s just a short distance from the town centre. Relax into the herbal steam rooms and panoramic sauna, or take a soak in the hydrotherapy infinity pool. Indulge in afternoon tea, treat yourself to a luxury treatment, or even play a round of golf.

Even in London it’s possible to escape the noise. The peaceful Harbour Hotel on the edge of Richmond Park feels just like a countryside retreat, with sauna and steam rooms inside an 18th-century Georgian home. It’s hard to believe that its leafy garden with wooden hot tubs is in the busy capital! Swim in the indoor pool and workout in the gym, before melting into a massage in one of their treatment rooms. 

Unusual therapies

Ever heard of floatation therapy? Immersing yourself in a sensory deprivation tank and floating on water for an hour has a surprising range of benefits, from improving sleep to relieving back pain and even helping with anxiety. There are several places in Britain where you can try it —Nirvana Spa in Wokingham has a floatation room with both shared and individual pools, or for an enclosed pod experience, try Float Planet in Liverpool or The Floating Spa in Birmingham.

At The Clifford in Nottingham, spend the day at the Fire & Ice Spa, hopping between the volcanic sauna and the invigorating ice igloo. Or, detox and cleanse with an authentic Turkish hammam experience at the Wave Garden Spa in north Wales.