Six of the healthiest spots to kick off the new year

Thursday 06 December 2018

Feel the need to detox after the end-of-year celebrations? Here’s a pick of health retreats in Britain where you can easily kickstart your new-year, new-year wellbeing journey.

Gilpin Hotel & Spa, Lake District, north-west England

England’s stunning Lake District vistas are inspiration enough to make someone want to embrace a healthier lifestyle for the new year but, for that extra boost, check in to the Gilpin Hotel for some star-quality spa experiences. In addition to the 25 bedrooms, all with lake views, the hotel offers five new detached Spa Lodges; in each you’ll find an ensuite spa – think outdoor saunas and hydrotherapy hot tubs and indoor rainmaker showers and steam rooms. An alternative option at the property is to stay at the Gilpin Lake House, situated a mile away on a separate estate. This is truly a sanctuary – available to be privately booked for 12 people, it has its own lake, hot tubs, sauna, pool and the Jetty Spa, a Swedish-style spa treatment room set three metres into a tree canopy. Round off the relaxing experience with healthy, yet mouth-watering dishes at the Michelin-starred HRiSHi restaurant back up at Gilpin House.

The Sharpham Trust, Devon, south-west England

Set on a 550-acre estate on the River Dart in south Devon, the Sharpham Trust aims to bring nature and mindfulness to its guests. Its programme of mediation retreats are held at The Barn, a converted linhay (a type of two-storeyed farmhouse particularly found in Devon), while its dedicated mindfulness retreats take place in the Grade I-listed, Georgian mansion Sharpham House. The Trust, which has been running for more than 30 years, is set in gorgeous Capability Brown-designed parkland. Woodland retreats are also available, providing a fantastic opportunity to be super close to nature as guests stay in yurts out in the woodlands, or consider booking onto one of its courses for positive mental health, ranging from a one-day to a nine-week Mindful-in-Nature course.

ecoYoga, Scotland

The fresh air of the Scottish Highlands is a sure-fire way to get in the mood for a healthy outlook on life. Head to the tranquil, riverside retreat of ecoYoga Scotland for its relaxed vibes; here you’ll find a variety of yoga courses and retreats that are married with the teachings of sustainable eco-living. The ecoYoga Centre is powered by a hydro turbine and solar panels, water comes directly from a natural spring and guests can get involved in forest creations, gardening and a number of other eco-style activities. Even when retreats are not running guests can stay at the venue on a self-catering basis, take yoga classes in its yoga studio and enjoy its hot wild-river baths. Yoga classes are also taught by visiting teachers and include styles such as Ashtanga and Iyengar.

Seren Retreat, Gower, south Wales

Interested in Polarity Therapy? This technique, which focuses on the body’s energy flow, is a speciality of the Seren Retreat, a health resort 15 minutes from the award-winning beaches of the Gower Peninsula and set in 23 acres of woodland. Run by Rex and Alaea Beynon, who have 30 years’ experience in the healing arts, the retreats here aim to promote emotional, mental, physical and spiritual happiness. Treatments and counselling sessions are supported by both nutritional guidance and yoga aimed towards maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Yoga and mediation retreats use Ayurvedic rejuvenation techniques and retreats can be booked for between three to ten nights and also come with an Ayurvedic cooking demonstration.

Neal’s Yard Holidays, Britain-wide

Vegan detox and juice detox spa breaks, yoga retreats and wellbeing retreats – whatever way you’re looking to recharge your batteries and kickstart a healthy lifestyle you’re likely to find it through the UK-based Neal’s Yard Holidays, which take place across a number of locations across Britain. North Yorkshire has been the location for its juice detox spa breaks, where, as well as staying in a beautiful venue, guests enjoy yoga and energy rebalancing workshops. There are also women-only wellbeing retreats that combine life coaching with meditation and gourmet raw food, while its yoga retreats take place across some of Britain’s most beautiful and tranquil locations.

Stoke Park, Buckinghamshire

Just over half an hour from London and only seven miles from Heathrow Airport, you’ll find Stoke Park Hotel in the heart of the beautiful Buckinghamshire countryside. Not only will the five-star luxury of this mansion house kickstart those endorphins to start you down a stress-free path, if your exercise of choice is tennis then you’re also in your dream location. Here you’ll find 13 tennis courts encompassing grass, clay and indoor, ideal for any level of player. Plus, it boasts a 4,000sqft gym for guests use, personal training and up to 40 exercise classes each week, a 27-hole Championship golf course, indoor pool and 14 acres of private gardens to stroll around. Relax after all that sport with some time in its award-winning spa and Scandinavian sauna.

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ecoYoga, Scotland
ecoYoga, Scotland
ecoYoga, Scotland
ecoYoga, Scotland
ecoYoga, Scotland
ecoYoga, Scotland
ecoYoga, Scotland
Wellbeing Yoga Retreats, Neal's Yard Holidays
Wellbeing Yoga Retreats, Neal's Yard Holidays
Wellbeing Yoga Retreats, Neal's Yard Holidays
Wellbeing Yoga Retreats, Neal's Yard Holidays
Wellbeing Yoga Retreats, Neal's Yard Holidays
Wellbeing Yoga Retreats, Neal's Yard Holidays
Wellbeing Yoga Retreats, Neal's Yard Holidays
Ayurveda Yoga Retreat, Neal's Yard Holidays
Ayurveda Yoga Retreat, Neal's Yard Holidays
Seren REtreat
Aerial Seren REtreat
Stoke Park
Stoke Park Great Hall
Stoke Park Artificial Clay Courts
Stoke Park Spa and Sauna
Stoke Park Gym
Stoke Park Tennis Court
Stoke Park Golf Course
Stoke Park
Mansion, Stoke Park
Mansion and Bridge David, Stoke Park
Stoke Park