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Mention you’re going on a spa weekend away and it sounds expensive. But whilst some certainly do require deep pockets to cover the sheer level of luxury involved in both the spa itself and the accommodation and food, others are far more friendly on the purse strings. In fact, as the UK spa market has become increasingly competitive – and has also had to remain focused on surviving through the recession - many spas have been forced to keep prices reasonable.
Our round-up brings you the best away-breaks from what we believe are the spas that are currently top of their game in the UK. We’ve been sure to cover as many geographical areas as we can and, of course, varied budgets. Your choice of spa should also be led by your motivation for going. Whilst some spas excel in fitness, for example, running outstanding bootcamps and food for dieting, others are about relaxation and unwinding.
Show all 11 1 /1111 best spas in the UK 11 best spas in the UK Ragdale Hall, Leicestershire Sometimes described as the John Lewis of spas because of its excellent quality, fair pricing and friendly, knowledgeable staff, this destination spa has a dazzling array of facilities, treatments and activities that make a break a sheer sanctuary for those needing to leave behind the strains of everyday life. The pools alone are a Disney World for adults and you can have wine in the evening (or at lunch) without being frowned upon. From £134 per person per night, which includes a 50-minute treatment, plus meals www.ragdalehall.co.uk
11 best spas in the UK Champneys, Hertfordshire This is the oldest spa in the UK, celebrating its 90th birthday in 2015. On the downside, you can feel a bit like you’re on a conveyor belt (the beauty therapists don’t always leave the room when you get dressed and undressed and the restaurant staff prepare the restaurant for breakfast while you’re still eating dinner) but the outstanding treatments and facilities make up for it, including a fabulous Thalassotherapy pool. If boot camp or detoxing is your thing, this has exceptional offerings. From £99 per person per night, which includes dinner, breakfast and a thalassotherapy pool session www.champneys.com
11 best spas in the UK Stobo Castle, Scottish Borders The treatment menu at this unpretentious spa is alone something to behold, with an impressive 90 options. And because spa days and breaks are good value, you may find you can afford more than you thought. Facilities include three outdoor hot tubs, crystal steam rooms and an infinity ozone pool with glass walls. Views are stunning, staff go out of their way to help and the food is sumptuous. From £119 per person per night, which includes dinner, breakfast and lunch www.stobocastle.co.uk
11 best spas in the UK Grayshott Spa, Surrey This is one of the original health-farms, with a Latin inscription on the entrance that reads, “Pax intrantibus. Salus exeuntibus” (“Peace on arrival. Health on departure”). It’s a pretty accurate description of their outstanding holistic approach, which has a firm focus on nutrition that people carry over into their lives after their visit. So whilst you do find groups of women dressing for dinner and drinking champers in the bar, the preferred visitor is one who wishes to make lasting changes around healthy living. “Nurture and support,” one of their latest specialist programmes, is aimed at post-cancer treatment. Spa breaks from £455 per person for two nights, which includes all meals and three spa treatments www.grayshottspa.com
11 best spas in the UK The Scarlet Spa, Cornwall The spa in this adults-only hotel has a focus on holistic wellbeing – the nourishment of mind, body and soul. Even the treatments are called Scarlet Journeys, all of which start with a Tri-Dosha qualified practitioner and include an ayurvedic diagnosis to determine body type. Once your journey is complete, check out the two spectacular pools or the cliff top hot tubs, or the sauna, steam room or relaxation rooms with picturesque views of the beach. Spa breaks from £505 per person for three nights, which includes dinner, B&B on two nights and B&B on the other, as well as one four-hour journey www.scarlethotel.co.uk/
11 best spas in the UK Moddershall Oaks, Staffordshire This family-run and good-value spa has a lovely warm pool, along with an even warmer vitality pool outside, plus a Kelo sauna, steam room, heated tiled loungers, reflexology footbaths and hot tub. The Elemis treatments are hard to fault and there are over 70 acres of park to explore either on foot or with the free bicycles. The lakeside bar and restaurant is exceptional and there’s a new outdoor log fire and cosy relaxation lounge. Spa breaks from £249 for two people per night, which includes an overnight stay in a five-star boutique suite, bottle of champagne and cooked breakfast www.moddershalloaks.com
11 best spas in the UK Titanic Spa, Huddersfield This eco conscious spa on the edge on the Pennines is bright and airy, with welcoming staff. The Heat and Ice Experience is a must – a circuit of unique thermal rooms and an ice room and plunge pool to counteract the heat. The chill-out areas have bean bags and roaring fires. There are deluxe apartments for up to eight people, making this a great getaway for groups of women. Spa breaks from £119 per person per night, which includes accommodation in a serviced apartment, breakfast, light lunch and dinner www.titanicspa.com
11 best spas in the UK Galgorm Resort and Spa, Northern Ireland Set in 163 acres of parkland and golf course and located 30 minutes’ drive from Belfast, there are three restaurants alone in this resort, making it a good spa for those who want a bit of atmosphere in the evenings. By day, you can retreat to the spa hidden in the woodland by the River Maine, where a pool, thermal suite and hot tub await and where treatments include the likes of seaweed baths, as well as more touchy treatments. There’s a pink ladies-only lounge that can be privately booked for groups of five to 20 - brilliant for hen-dos. Midweek Spa Escape from £145 per person per night, which includes dinner, bed and breakfast and a 40 minute treatment www.galgorm.com
11 best spas in the UK Centerparcs Aqua Sana, Woburn This imaginative spa only opened this summer, so it’s still very shiny and new. It boasts 25 experience rooms and six spas – Fire & Ice, Mineral & Gemstone, Blossom Herbal, Sensory and Salt – each one with a variety of multi-sensory experience rooms that knock the socks off many five-star spas. There’s an infinity pool looking out on the forest, a Zen garden and cafe bar and so much more. Oh and did we mention the extensive treatment list? Spa breaks from £249 per person per night, which includes staying in a Spa Suite, breakfast and dinner, a signature treatment and complimentary cycle hire to explore the forest www.aquasana.co.uk
11 best spas in the UK Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa, Suffolk The bedrooms are a bit bland, but the cuisine in the award-winning Squires Restaurant is outstanding, the building is beautiful and the staff are warm and friendly. The real gem, though, is the spa, with its slick decor and thoughtful touches and where facilities include hydrotherapy and heat experiences and where treatments can be enjoyed in one of the gorgeous New England style treatment rooms. Spa breaks from £340 per night for two people, which includes a 60-minute treatment each, dinner, bed and breakfast www.bedfordlodgehotel.co.uk
11 best spas in the UK Pennyhill Park, Surrey Not only will the treatments send you into a coma like state, but the array of facilities in this 45,000 square foot haven will wow you the moment you arrive. Even swimming is relaxing, thanks to underwater music, and other stand-out features include heated ceramic relaxation beds, massage chairs, experience showers, herbal saunas, steam, ice cave, a Laconium and indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs. Spa breaks from £225 per person per night, which includes breakfast, £25 towards dinner and a 60-minute treatment www.pennyhillpark.co.uk/
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