The best spas near London
The capital is a hive of wellness destinations and basement-embedded spas, and certainly one not to be sniffed at. But, when all is said and done, after several hours (or days) of relaxation, you need still step out onto the concrete-clad streets and immediately back into the distinct busy-ness of urban life. However, ultimate immersion in a calmer pace of life can be yours not too far away, as London is practically encircled by luxury country house hotels, each with their own distinctive spas, though united in their offering of rest, relaxation and rejuvenation. These are our favourite spas near London to go for a relaxing weekend break.
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Max BurnettThe Langley, Buckinghamshire
Distance from London: 20 miles
Once home to the Duke of Marlborough – whose official seat was Blenheim Palace – The Langley nestles in parkland just 15 minutes from another regal residence, Windsor Castle. And though the myriad turrets and courtyards of the latter are grander in many ways, what this five-star hotel has that we very much doubt is present at the palace is a 1,600 square metre underground spa. A feat of modern design at the roots of one rooted in history, the centrepiece here is the 16-metre indoor pool, clad in glittering mosaic and surrounded by sumptuous beds. There is also a large jacuzzi area complete with hammams, various jets and relaxation rooms, creating a spacious central zone, while a private VIP suite with a vitality pool, a juniper sauna and amethyst crystal steam room, a hair, beauty and mani-pedi lounge, relaxation rooms, ladies-only thermal spa, a gym including personal training sessions and a café complete the outfit. Outside, just metres from the wicker cabanas that line the river flowing past the hotel, a wonderfully-heated outdoor pool sits, shaded from the breeze by a wall of trees and vibrant plantlife, and equally as well-equipped with sunbeds, towels and a water machine. Anya Meyerowitz
Address: The Langley, Avenue Dr, Uxbridge Rd, Iver, Slough SL3 6DU
Price: Doubles from £435 per night
Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Wiltshire
Distance from London: 104 miles
A 90-minute drive from the hustle and bustle of the city, Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa sits at the end of a tree-flanked driveway dotted with original 18th-century features, squashy furniture and colossal fireplaces. One place you might not expect to find a mammoth fireplace is the swimming pool, though this 20-metre masterpiece (which runs directly into an outdoor hydrotherapy pool) does in fact boast a limestone-clad one that lines the water itself, bringing the atmosphere of the manor house to its most modern addition and adding an intimate quality to the large, glass-roofed atrium. On the other side of this feature, a dimly lit lounge area sets the tone for the calm ambience, with curtains drawn, rugs padding the carpet and flickering candles. The treatments, which use Natural Spa Factory or 111SKIN products and oil blends, are well thought-out and beautifully calming for body and mind. Beyond the holistic spa menu, the award-winning facilities also span thermal cabins, a post-treatment relaxation room, a large lounge with a skincare mixology bar, and a separate brasserie serving a seasonal menu. Anya Meyerowitz
Address: Lucknam Park, Chippenham SN14 8AZ
Price: Doubles from £295Sopwell House, Hertfordshire
Distance from London: 25 miles
Just 40 minutes from central London, Sopwell House once played host to illustrious historical figures, from King Henry VIII and Lord Mountbatten to Francis Bacon. And though they might have been privy to lavish dining and had the entire property to themselves, they would have missed out on the Cottonmill Spa – a recent and extensive renovation that spans three floors. The sleek space offers guests a clutch of thermal rooms, salt and steam rooms, indoor and outdoor areas, fitness classes and, the pièce de résistance, England’s largest panoramic sauna with views of the grounds outside. Treatments can be taken on muscle-melting beds made out of amber and quartz crystals – just one of the results of the spa founders having travelled from Utah to the Himalayas to discover the best spa elements – while more active pursuits, including yoga and pilates, can just as easily be enjoyed. Those staying in suites at the hotel, or who book a higher-priced package, can also make use of an exclusive extra: The Club at Cottonmill, which includes the spa gardens with hot tubs and water features, thermal suites fitted botanical and salt steam rooms, a Deep Relaxation Room, a tranquil Whisper Room and glass-encased Garden Room. Anya Meyerowitz
Address: Sopwell House, Cottonmill Ln, St Albans AL1 2HQ
Price: Doubles from £215
Coworth Park, Berkshire
Distance from London: 26.7 miles
Slick Coworth Park sits just 45 minutes outside London, set in a 240-acre Windsor estate. Rooms in the meticulously made-over Georgian manor house are grand yet cosy, all oak floors and heavily swathed four-poster beds. There are a few cottages to take over, a converted stable house, beautifully manicured grounds and a Michelin-starred restaurant here, too. But the biggest draw is the eco-minded spa. The building has a living roof, which doubles as a herb garden for the on-site restaurant, and there are eight treatment rooms for sedating Insomniac's Dream massages and invigorating exfoliating treatments. Afterwards, paddle freshly manicured toes in the smart swimming pool, which has underwater music and opens onto the sun terrace. A bracing walk around the grounds or a post-afternoon tea jaunt to nearby Windsor Castle rounds off a relaxing day trip. Read our full review of Coworth Park.
Address: Coworth Park, Blacknest Road, Sunningdale, Ascot SL5 7SE
Price: Doubles from £295; spa prices from £60
Beaverbrook, Surrey
Distance from London: 22.5 miles
One of our absolute favourite spas in the UK, Beaverbrook is thrillingly close to West London but at the same time feels like a proper weekend break. Within the 19th-century neo-classical mansion you'll find a Sharky & George-run kids’ club, Japanese restaurant, and of course the spa. Beloved for its bold design, artist Brian Clarke has let rip with a primary-coloured Pantone chart of stained-glass work. His simplistic natural designs – oak leaves, cherry blossom, wild poppies, primroses – reference the holistic spa garden that is intrinsic to all of the treatments. A cathedral-like glow falls not only in the open spaces but also in the treatment rooms which are bright and sunshiny, rather than dimmed and cocooning.
Skincare brand Pai has created a bespoke range of oils for the Coach House Spa; botanicals include lime and peppermint, chamomile and juniper berry. And while the styling is exceptional, what makes the spa quite so standout are the therapists. The staff have been brought in from far and wide (and of course with London so close, many of them commute from there). Make a beeline for ex-Chelsea Football Club masseur and yoga master Lino Zinchi, whose biodynamic massage is a rollicking ride of sweeping shiatsu, Ayurvedic pulling, Chinese energy release and yogic concepts. His goal is to open up the body so hips are pulled, shoulders are lifted, cheeks are pummelled (bottom and face). He says you will be taller afterwards. Not just feel taller. Actually be taller. As good as anything you’ll find in London, perhaps better. Issy von Simson
Address: Beaverbrook Hotel & Spa, Reigate Road, Leatherhead KT22 8QX
Prices: Doubles in the Garden House from £225 (room only); main house from £330; spa day prices start from £150
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Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire
Distance from London: 49 miles (50 minutes by train from Waterloo, plus a 10-minute cab ride)
Rising up from the Hampshire hills, 500 acres of land stretch out across rolling fields at this magnificent hotel. Dotted with wildlife sculptures on loan from The Sculpture Park in Surrey, the green landscape is lorded over by the grand red-brick estate. Inside, old-world charm sets the scene with elaborate fireplaces, comfy leather chairs, bucolic oil paintings and wooden-panelled walls. Set just behind the main hotel is the spa, a converted 18th-century barn aiming to harness the soothing, unwinding powers of the countryside surrounding it. Blending old with new, the 27,000-square-foot spa seamlessly pairs the building’s historic features with modern touches; the glass-door entrance is set underneath an old bell tower and rough wooden beams extend across ceilings in the tranquil-hued, marble-walled changing rooms.
The spa, however, maintains none of the hotel’s old-world feel. Stroll along coffee-coloured corridors to arrive at the decidedly contemporary main spa area. There is a heated pool that stretches out into a manicured garden, spilling into a hot tub with massage jets, and Sharkie’s Reef for kids – a giant adventure waterworld with multicoloured slides and water activities. Treatment rooms line a dimly lit corridor filled with flowers and the thick scent of soothing aromatherapy oils in the air. A 60-minute full-body massage is the ultimate stress reliever; choose from a selection of lighting options (calming blue, warming red or energising green) before settling down for a knot-busting treatment. The spa has launched a new series of day packages, including day passes for use of the facilities and fitness classes, and the Serenity Spa Day pass for a recharging experience including lunch at the light-filled spa restaurant, Café Santé, a 60-minute treatment and use of the spa. Olivia Morelli
Address: Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire, Dogmersfield Park, Chalky Lane, Dogmersfield RG27 8TD
Telephone: +44 1252 853 000
The Spa at South Lodge, Horsham, West Sussex
Distance from London: 50 miles (an hour by train from Victoria station)
This photogenic gabled mansion has been an army hospital, film set and hangout for Winston Churchill. These days, with its oil-painting- and grandfather-clock-lined nooks offset by glass installations, South Lodge has more of an afternoon-tea-feasting, milestone-birthday-celebrating crowd. But the vast new spa means that this address is on the wellness seeker's radar too (Manchester United players are rumoured to soak their limbs here post-match). Designed with sustainable oak cladding to blend in with the meadow landscape, and a grass-covered, ski-jump-like roof that mirrors the South Downs in the distance, the 44,000sq-ft structure is unapologetically modern. Inside it's all anthracite surfaces, knitted seats and glass lanterns. Down a flight of stairs are the smartest changing rooms we've seen in a while, leading to a sauna, herbal steam room, naturally heated wild swimming pool (the UK's first) and misty outdoor tub with a wooden deck. But the show stealer is the 72ft indoor pool with immense windows framing the woodlands – it's a mesmerising view, especially at dusk.
Botanica café serves juices with bespoke tinctures as well as crunchy pastries plus Mediterranean-inspired plates. As for the treatments, the most unusual is an intriguing tension-solving bamboo-stick massage; there's also a mud-room experience and facials powered by delicate but hardworking Omorovicza products – the Radiance option starts with a gold gel and coconut-scented cleanser before a classic sheet mask with mini massage. The menu may not be groundbreaking but does what it says, focusing on deep-cleaning and refining city complexions. Afterwards go for a mind-clearing walk in the 93-acre grounds – guests are encouraged to pick wildflowers to fill the vase in their rustic-smart room – before heading to Camellia restaurant for a seasonal supper, perhaps Shetland scallops and venison with pickled blackberry, followed by a glass-pipette whisky by the open fire. This is a place that can deliver a detox or a treat, or what most guests seem to aim for – a bit of both. Katharina Hahn
Address: South Lodge, Brighton Road, Lower Beeding, Crabtree, Horsham, Sussex RH13 6PS
Prices: Doubles from £285 including spa access
Cliveden House, Berkshire
Distance from London: 29 miles
This is a place that needs no introduction. The legendary long drive up to the majestic splendour of Cliveden does not disappoint. Nor do the spectacular views across the Chiltern Hills, or the exquisite green spaces – the rose garden, the water garden and the round garden – surrounding the Grade I-listed country estate. Nor of course that famous outdoor pool in the walled garden, where the spa is found. Leading the charge is a facialist who also needs no introduction: Sarah Chapman, the most impossible-to-book skin specialist in London, has set up a new outpost here, 45 minutes’ drive from her clinic in Chelsea, with a rigorously trained team. Her Skinesis products, used by Victoria Beckham, Gigi Hadid and Meghan Markle, have won countless awards. The treatments themselves are properly results-driven (nice to find in a country spa), but not so functional and focused that they aren’t also deeply relaxing. A foot-bathing ritual and skin diagnosis kick off the 60-minute bespoke facial before you hop onto a water-topped bed. The baobab and jojoba aromas of the double cleanse are as deliciously hypnotic as the cleansing process itself. This is followed by a chemical peel that remains on the skin for three minutes, accompanied by an extremely relaxing chest and arm massage.
Next up, the application of the overnight exfoliator, which involves more of Chapman’s unique signature massage techniques – ‘gymnastics for the face’ she calls it – with a potent jasmine scent relaxing you even more. The finale of a mask, serum and cream completes this firming and plumping treatment which also smoothes the skin and targets signs of ageing (always welcome). It’s not hard to see why Sarah Chapman has garnered such a cult following, and if you want to go one step further there’s the Skinesis Stem Cell Collagen Activator, which includes micro-needling and LED-light therapy (£280 for 120 minutes) and is also exclusive to Cliveden. Martha Ward Read our full review of Cliveden House.
Address: Cliveden House & Spa, Taplow, Berkshire, SL6 0JF
Price: Doubles from £495 including breakfast; spa prices from £90; Sarah Chapman Skinesis Luxury Bespoke Cliveden Facial (£115 for 60 minutes)
The Grove, Hertfordshire
Distance from London: 18 miles
Known by some as ‘the city’s country hotel’ – it’s just a quick dash from North London – The Grove is favoured by visiting stars and politicians (especially those hoping to squeeze golf onto their itineraries), as well as actors shooting in nearby Pinewood Studios and England’s football team, who often take over part of the west wing to make the most of its privacy and lush pitches. However, the majority of regulars at the hotel’s Sequoia Spa are locals who love to make the most of their membership, using it as a sleek home from home.
The spa itself is a cool and quiet subterranean space, a short distance from the main building within the property’s 300-acre grounds. There’s a peaceful Asian design influence – you’ll spot walled gardens with rockeries and swaying bamboo as you breeze along the light-filled corridors to a comfortably sized treatment room, via changing rooms large enough to socially distance in without even thinking about it. Service is warm but respectful and, to avoid masses of form-filling, guests are asked a number of not-too-personal questions in a more conversational way to ensure the experience is as bespoke as possible. The carefully combined potions and oils – principally Bamford, with citrusy or lavendar-infused Natura Bissé as a gentler option – are sweet-smelling with some unique twists available, such as the diamond-infused facial peel that fizzes on the skin as though you’ve just been doused in Champagne.
Exercise classes are held indoors and outside, and the gym is airy – but the black-mosaic-tiled, extremely Zen pool and jacuzzi is recommended by repeat visitors as the go-to above all other hotel attractions, beating off even the cute man-made beach next to the al-fresco pool, pretty 'outdoor kitchen' redesigned during lockdown, and the woodland cycle and walking track. And one silver lining of 2020 government recommendations is that you can reserve to have a swim, or a thoughtful soak, almost entirely by yourself. Becky Lucas Read our full review of The Grove, Hertfordshire.
Address: The Grove Hotel & Spa, Chandler's Cross, Watford WD3 4TG
Prices: Doubles from £295 (room only); spa prices from £50