Sometimes you can’t beat a break close to home, and the UK is full of alluring spa hotels that put relaxation on your doorstep, freeing you from the need to face airport queues or other long journeys. We’ve picked out some of our favourite spa-break destinations all around the country, from the depths of the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District to options within easy reach of London or other southern cities, but there are many more – just ask your Travel Counsellor for recommendations.
Beautifully placed for exploring the Cotswolds, this quintessential English mansion sits in glorious gardens and paddocks – it even has its own equestrian centre and a croquet lawn. But the real standouts for those choosing to stay in one of its cosseting rooms, suites or cottages is the award-winning spa, which embraces thermal cabins including a Japanese salt and amethyst room, a indoor heated pool and an indoor–outdoor hydrotherapy pool. Foodies flock here too, for the Michelin-starred delights in the Restaurant Hywel Jones and the more laidback brasserie with its open kitchen complete with wood-burning stove and its garden views.
This hidden jewel deep in the stunning Yorkshire Dales National Park has an intimate feel, with just 47 bedrooms, but incredible facilities: among its five indulgent restaurants are Michelin-starred Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall, and there is also the sleek Three Graces Spa with its indoor swimming pool, indoor-to-outdoor hydrotherapy pool and thermal experiences including a sauna, a steam room and a snow room. Local attractions include the National Trust’s Brimham Rocks – 400 acres of moorland with unique rock formations, perfect for country walks.
Infamous for its role in the Profumo Affair (this is where John Profumo first spotted Christine Keeler, in the hotel swimming pool), this neoclassical manor turned boutique hotel oozes glamour. Set in National Trust owned gardens with indoor and outdoor tennis courts and swimming pools, it has an extensive spa including outdoor hot tubs and treatments on water mattresses – many unique to the hotel, using its own brand of body products and all beginning with a foot-bathing ritual. Dining here is as civilised as you’d imagine, whether in the Cliveden Dining Room or the Astor Grill; it includes sumptuous afternoon teas.
Occupying an elegant Victorian manor house and boasting its own 18-hole championship golf course, this inviting country-house spa hotel is ideal for discovering the gorgeous winding limestone valley of Dovedale. Its outstanding and opulent wellbeing facilities include an infinity pool, a steam room and a whirlpool spa within a the atmospheric setting of a one-time Salesian chapel. Signature treatments include the La Sultane de Saba ayurvedic ritual featureing a silk scrub, shirodhara oil drizzling and specialist pressure point massage.
Ensconsed in splendid isolation within the confines of a vast deer park and woodlands above Lake Bassenthwaite, this is one of England’s original stately homes. Its state-of-the-edge spa features an infinity-edge pool and outdoor hot tubs with woodland views plus a thermal suite, adn there are also tempting wellbeing-fostering activities to add to your stay, such as kayaking, paddleboarding, wild swimming, forest bathing and even alpaca walking. You can drink and dine on-site in two tempting restaurants and a sleek cocktail bar with parquet flooring.
To book your UK spa break, call your Travel Counsellor today.
Aruba beckons with its serene beauty, making it an irresistible choice for those seeking a luxurious tropical getaway. Aruba boasts award-winning, uncrowded, white-sand beaches that promise a slice of paradise where you can unwind to your heart's content. With guaranteed sunshine, crystal-clear waters, and stunning architecture, Aruba is a gem waiting to be discovered.
The personal experiences of our Travel Counsellors, together with their combined insider knowledge of hotels, resorts, and destinations, ensure that they can hand-pick the very best holidays for your needs.
Continuing the pioneering spirit of the innovative, award-winning Virgin Voyages cruises, Brilliant Lady is set to cross the United States in her highly anticipated 2025 debut season. Highlights among the once-in-a-lifetime five- to 16-night journeys will include a voyage through the Panama Canal and a trip through the glaciers and fjords of Alaska.
