If you haven’t got plans to jet away this summer but still yearn for something to break up the long months, then fear not. Forget bulk-buying bikinis and stashing your sun cream, not to mention the dreaded passport panic the night before a holiday flight, our pick of the best nationwide spas mean relaxation minus the air miles. Whether you choose an hour, a night or a week away in one of these holistic hotspots, you’re guaranteed to come away feeling rested and relaxed, all the hallmarks of a great holiday but without the hassle.
By Georgia Day
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1 Grayshott Spa
Best for: dedicated 'me' time
If you’re looking for a full-throttle destination spa but with a gentle, holistic approach to wellbeing, then this award-winning hotel is the one for you. Set in acres of National Trust land, this serene spa specialises in helping you to relax and unwind away from the stresses of everyday life. With something on offer for everyone, from thoughtfully put-together Spa Break packages (Balance is a perfect antidote to frenetic city life) to à la carte massage, facial and scrub options, the hardest decision you’ll find yourself making is which poolside lounger to choose for a post-treatment snooze.
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2 The Headland
Best for: a spa with a view
It may well be a fact that it’s impossible not to relax when the view out of the spa lounge is of a sweeping coastal vista. Luckily that’s exactly what you get at The Headland, perched just above Cornwall’s beautiful Fistral Beach. Stunning views aside this family-run hotel spa prides itself on its variety of treatments, tailored to suit each guest. Inside, its calming contemporary beach-chic décor is the perfect setting for any treatment, whether you plump for an OPI mani/pedi, a St Tropez spray tan (ideal for hitting the beach afterwards – weather permitting, of course) or a Rhassoul Mud Treatment in the couple’s treatment room.
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3 Norton Park
Best for: value for money
With all the usual spa facilities on offer such as a pool, steam room and sauna, this modern hotel spa just outside bustling Winchester is the ideal place to experience a pampering one-off treatment like a Relaxing Back Ritual or Pure Body Harmony. Thanks to the multitude of different packages and spa breaks though, it’s also perfect for groups of friends looking to enjoy a full but relaxing day together away from the hustle and bustle. Opt for a package that includes a luxury afternoon tea and you’ll find it hard to tear yourself away.
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4 Fawsley Hall
Best for: head-to-toe treatments
If you looked up the word ‘relax’ in the dictionary, we’re pretty sure you’d find this gem mentioned below. As if the extensive treatment list featuring some of our favourite brands like Elemis, Jessica and Comfort Zone wasn’t enough, the finishing touches like the Juice Bar and Thermal Room round it all off. Once you’ve indulged in a spot of pampering (the Hot Stone Therapy is a must), why not take a restorative dip in the indoor pool, which looks out on to the hotel’s secret garden. We must warn you though, you may never want to leave.
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5 Hallmark Welcombe
Best for: variety on offer
It’s not often we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to spa menus, but we think we may have met our match with this luxury hideaway on the lush outskirts of historic Stratford-upon-Avon. If the four thermal rooms (the Tedipdarium is a must for soothing aching muscles), dedicated foot spas (yes, it’s a thing), five Spa Day packages and indoor and outdoor pools can’t tempt you, then you can always while away a relaxing hour or two in the state-of-the-art gym and all-weather tennis courts.
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6 Lifehouse Spa and Hotel
Best for: therapeutic stress relief
Just over an hour from London, nestled in the Essex countryside, lies this award-winning spa retreat that’s the perfect tonic for times when you need to redress the balance or simply take a step back. The expertly trained spa staff are on hand at every moment to guide you through a tailor-made programme, whether it’s helping you choose whether to embark upon a juice cleanse or a wellness detox, or simply deciding between a Clarins or Decleor massage. Our top tip? Try the Soul Soother, a 2-hour holistic body treatment that restores your equilibrium and leaves you feeling revived.
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7 The Spa at The Macdonald Marine Hotel & Spa
Best for: a quick fix
Situated on the east coast of North Berwick just a short drive from Edinburgh, the views alone at The Spa at The Macdonald Marine Hotel will make you want to sit down and stay a while. Featuring a selection of seriously pampering overnight spa packages to help you while away the day in utter relaxation, (think deep tissues massages and relaxing facials finished off with a complementary bottle of fizz), as well as several nearby attractions to keep you busy, this scenic spa should be number one on your holiday hit list this season.
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8 Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa
Best for: unwinding in style
There aren’t many better places to while away a few hours, than at this luxury cliff top retreat. With skilfully trained ESPA therapists on hand to guide you through the extensive treatment list (which includes the heavenly Priadara Thai-Style with heated herbal compresses to ease sore muscles), it’s a real spa-lovers paradise. If a facial, massage or wrap don’t take your fancy, then luckily there’s also the Little Fistral Spa, an on-site outpost dedicated to all things, beauty, hair and nails that uses top brands such as CND and GHD.
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9 Barnsley House
Best for: unabashed luxury
If you’re looking to spoil a loved one, or let’s face it, yourself (and why not) then we urge you to book into this holistic haven, deep in the Cotswolds countryside. Walking from the main hotel, the first thing you’re greeted by is a heated outdoor hydrotherapy pool nestled amongst beds of plants and herbs, and it’s this peaceful sight that really sets the tone. With 5 treatment rooms offering several Aromatherapy Associates’ Rituals, as well as a soothing sauna and steam room, there’s plenty to tempt you. Even if you fancy simply sitting by the pool with a good book, this secluded spot is the perfect place in which to unwind.
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10 Falmouth Spa at the Falmouth Hotel
Best for: getting your glow back
With 13 (you heard us) different Elemis facials to choose from, this historic Cornish hotel spa is a real gem. Whether you opt for the Visible Brilliance Facial (just the thing to restore weary city skin) or an Exotic Moisture Dew Facial, which will breathe life and hydration back into parched skin, there’s plenty on offer for even the pickiest of spa-goers. If a facial isn’t for you, then why not opt for a sole-soothing pedicure or, for anyone looking to luxuriate for longer, one of the pampering Spa Break packages.