by Winter is all about rest and relaxation, and if you prefer to curl up somewhere chic, with the chance of a treatment or two, a spa trip is a must. There’s nothing like getting out of the city to unwind, but if you’re short on time you won’t want to stray too far.
Fortunately for Londoners, there are plenty of charming rural spas within easy reach of the capital, so you can enjoy some indulgent pampering without a huge trip.
These are our favorite spas near London for a cheeky day or weekend in luxury.
For a day trip
Cliveden House Hotel, Berkshire
You might recognize Cliveden as the hotel where Meghan Markle spent the night before marrying Prince Harry, and the Spa offers a selection of treatments for the Duchess of Sussex, Sarah Chapman. The devil is in the detail here – the spa even has its own scent named Nancy (after Nancy Astor) made with notes of fruit blossom, jasmine wild mint and lily. Both the indoor and outdoor pool areas are Instagram-worthy places to relax between treatments, and the hot tubs in the garden can be enjoyed well into winter.
Time from London: 1 hour 49 minutes
How to get there by public transport: Take a Chiltern Railways train towards Oxford from Marylebone Station, alighting at High Wycombe. Walk five minutes to the R bus stop on the high street and get on the 31 towards Maidenhead Town Center getting off at Riversdale South. From there walk 40 minutes to the hotel or get a taxi/Uber.
Bespoke spa days from £335. clivedenhouse.co.uk
Luton Hoo Hotel, Luton
You’ll find Luton Hoo Hotel on the border of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, sprawling over 1,000 acres of glorious parkland, meadows, woodlands, lakes, rivers and nature trails. Their ‘feel good’ spa day includes two 55-minute treatments and a two-course lunch in Adam’s Brasserie along with full use of the facilities.
Time from London: 45 minutes
How to get there by public transport: Take the Thameslink from St Pancras towards Bedford and get off at Harpenden. Walk four minutes to The George PH bus stop C and get on the Sapphire 321 towards Luton for 10 minutes, getting off at the Luton Hoo Hotel.
Spa days start at £180 per day. lutonhoo.co.uk
Gainsborough Bath Spa, Bath
The Gainsborough Spa puts a modern twist on the city’s thermal water heritage. This spa is set under a glass atrium and offers a number of different spa days including a welcome drink and afternoon tea. You will have use of the gym, saunas, thermal pools and relaxation terrace and have a personal aromatherapy blending session.
Time from London: 1 hour 35 minutes
How to get there by public transport: Take the Great Western Railway line from Paddington Station towards Bristol Temple Meads and exit at Bath Spa. Walk for seven minutes to the hotel.
Spa days start at £95 per day. thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk
Coworth Park
This romantic manor is set within a wildflower meadow. The unique eco-spa is an oasis of relaxation and each Spa day includes unlimited use of a heated pool, steam room, The Spatisserie (a cloud-like dining space) and a fully equipped gym. Treatments are made with Ishga products, created with the power of Inse Gall seaweed.
Time from London: 1 hour 32 minutes
How to get there by public transport: Take a South Western Railway train from Waterloo Station towards Reading, hopping off at Sunningdale. Get a taxi from the station to Coworth Park – or it’s a half hour walk.
Spa days from £250 for the day. dorchestercollection.com
The Grove Hotel, Hertfordshire
The Grove Hotel is located in 300 acres of lush Hertfordshire countryside – but it is the award-winning Sequoia Spa that is very visited. Enjoy a truly personalized treatment with Bamford or Natura Bissé products.
Time from London: 57 minutes
How to get there by public transport: Hop on the West Midlands Train from Euston towards Birmingham New Street. Get off at Watford Junction and get on the number 10 bus towards Woolside, and get off at Hollytree House. Walk for 20 minutes to The Grove or order a taxi/Uber.
Spa days start from £175 per day. thegrove.co.uk
Hartwell House, Buckinghamshire
Just 40 miles northwest of London, you can get to this luxe hotel faster than it takes most of us to travel to work. The National Trust Grade 1 listed Jacobean and Georgian house has a magnificent Spa with swimming pool, spa bath, steam room, sauna and treatment rooms.
Time from London: 47 minutes
How to get there by public transport: Take a Chiltern Railways train from Marylebone heading towards Oxford. Get off at Haddenham and Thame Parkway, a 13 minute walk to Hartwell House.
Spa days start at £120 per day. hartwell-teach.com
Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Wiltshire
With a host of luxurious and restorative treatments on offer, this five-star hotel is the ultimate retreat to unwind. For happiness, opt for the mindfulness massage that incorporates breathing and visualization techniques and a therapeutic full body massage to promote positivity.
Time from London: 1 hour 40 minutes
How to get there by public transport: Take the GWR line towards Bristol Temple Meads, leaving Chippenham. Get the 635 bus from outside the station towards Marshfield, hopping off at Valley Way Shelter and walk seven minutes to the hotel.
Spa days start at £175 per day. lucknampark.co.uk
For a weekend stay
Cowley Manor Experimental, Gloucestershire
This classic house hotel underwent a wonderfully eclectic makeover last summer courtesy of a design collaboration with Dorothée Meilichzon and De Matos Ryan. With a 300 year history it has been an inspiring destination for authors and creative people for centuries – once owned by Edward the Confessor.
The interior of the award-winning C-side Spa has undergone a chic makeover, complementing its stunning post-modern exterior. Take in the stunning surrounds from the indoor and outdoor heated pools and enjoy a soul-nourishing treatment using natural products from Monu Skin. Relax in the sauna or steam rooms and don’t miss the opportunity to try local fare in the new hotel restaurant, where the team is led by renowned chef Jackson Boxer.
Time from London: 2 hours 51 minutes
How to get there by public transport: Hop on a GWR train from Paddington towards Bristol Temple Meads and get off at Swindon Station. Get the 51 bus from there (bay 16) towards Cheltenham and jump off at Cowley Turn where it’s only a 9 minute walk to the Manor.
Rooms start at £250 per night with spa access and breakfast included. cowleymanor.com
Whatley Manor Hotel and Spa, Malmesbury
Set in 12 acres of pristine Cotswolds countryside, this hotel is the perfect escape. The honey stone spa building is the ultimate relaxation space, with an indoor and outdoor hydrotherapy pool, thermal suite and salt scrub showers.
Time from London: 2 hours
How to get there by public transport: From Paddington, take the GWR towards Bristol Parkway, hopping off at Swindon Station. Then hopped in a taxi to Malmesbury.
Spa days from £160 for half a day with a smoothie and a 90 minute spa treatment. A night’s stay starts at £386. cadleymanor.com
Dormy House, Cotswolds
A rustic country house with a modern edge, this hotel in the heart of the Cotswolds Spa has an indoor-outdoor Scandi-look that spans several floors. There is a lavender Cotswold sauna, rhassoul mud room, nail parlour, infinity pool and outdoor hot tub. Choose from relaxing float tank experiences, CBD treatments or one of the Spa’s top-to-toe body treatments designed to rejuvenate and restore peace. The House Spa will open on 22 January 2024 following refurbishment, although treatments can be booked during the period of closure.
Time from London: 2 hours 40 minutes
How to get there by public transport: The GWR line towards Weston Super Mare from Paddington will take you to Swindon Station where you need to transfer to the 51A bus towards Stratton from bay 16. Wait on this bus for an hour and get off at the Park View stop where which Dormy House a. a three minute walk.
Dormy House Spa days start at £125, hotel rooms from £309 per night. dormyhouse.co.uk
Calcot Manor, Gloucestershire
The Calcot Spa is situated in a quiet corner of the hotel grounds and is essentially a Cotswolds manor estate. There is a dreamy outdoor hot tub, steam room and sauna and a number of treatments available using products from cult brands such as Elemis and Aromatherapy Associates.
Time from London: 3 hours 3 minutes
How to get there by public transport: Catch a GWR train from Paddington towards Cheltenham Spa, jumping off at Stroud. Get the 63 bus towards Wickwar from Stop N outside the station and get off at Calcot Farm where the Manor is a three minute walk.
Spa day packages start at £175 per day, and rooms from £314 per night. calcot.com
Lime Wood Hotel, Hampshire
Like something out of a Jane Austen novel, Lime Wood Hotel is the place for your lady to live in the heart of the New Forest. It is home to the Herb House Spa, inspired by its forest surroundings and dedicated to an atmosphere of serenity. Covering three levels, there is a sauna, an indoor hydro pool with forest views, a mud house and an outdoor hot pool. Spa days include a bespoke holistic package and a well-sampled extra special option, including two treatments.
Time from London: 2 hours 19 minutes
How to get there by public transport: Leaving Waterloo, take a South Western Railway train towards Weymouth and get off at Southampton Central. Then change trains to catch a South Western Railway train towards Poole, stay on this for 10 minutes until you reach Ashurst New Forest. From here it is best to grab a cab
Spa days start at £240 per person, rooms from £495 per night. limewoodhotel.co.uk
