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Elle
20-05-2025
- Health
- Elle
From Digital Detoxes To Countryside Hideaways: The 10 Best Wellness Retreats To Book In The UK
A mere few years ago, booking a wellness retreat might have come with the promise of a luxe spa, a focus on getting your five-a-day and a leaflet laying out the virtues of rest and wellbeing. Today, wellness retreats have undergone somewhat of a transformation with hotels supercharging their offerings and bringing bespoke medical and advanced health programmes to the fore – there are cognitive workshops for brain health, cortisol-relieving remedies harnessing ancient rituals and retreats focusing on groundbreaking innovation to help alleviate the tensions of modern-day life. Even more stress-relieving are those based closer to home, omitting the airport queues and early wake-up calls. From countryside hideaways that deliver much-needed digital detoxes to cutting-edge programmes in the heart of the city, and those that simply deliver unparalleled relaxation, here are the best wellness retreats to book in the UK this year... The expansive Lakes By Yoo estate cascades along bucolic meadows and lakes, set within an impressive 850 acres of land in the Cotswolds, and flanked by a set of modern yet style-conscious lakeside cabins. And while it might be the buzzy escape that's luring in the A-list crowd due to its secluded surroundings, it's also a perfect setting to go off grid for a digital detox – there are cryotherapy chambers and an impressive spa but also wild swimming, cold plunges and nature trails, meaning you can completely switch off. Make use of the self-catering cabins, wander around the grounds, and see how much you can reduce your screen time by. Book here The magic of Heckfield is palpable. You'll feel it moments upon arriving at the impressive country house hotel and in the small but crucial details throughout (tea and cake come 4pm; famed cheese straws in your mini bar; a painting collection worthy of its own gallery) until you leave. But it's not just the bucolic setting or the famed Heckfield touch either – wellness enthusiasts will love the recently renovated, breathtaking spa and new wellness retreat programmes, which include The Bespoke Path. Completely tailored to your every need, a practitioner will devise your own personal retreat to help reset and restore the nervous system via naturopathy, enhanced Wildsmith treatments, and bespoke activities. Book here Few hotels come as chic or as coveted as 1 Hotel Mayfair, the sustainable, greenery-drenched outpost which stands overlooking Green Park station and London's The Ritz. The perfect urban escape (with a michelin-quality restaurant led by chef Tom Sellers) also comes with an impressive wellness offering thanks to a Bamford spa brimming with holistic, yet advanced treatments. Treat yourself to a 24-hour retreat in the heart of London for unparalleled relaxation in the form of a 90-minute stress massage and sugar scrub. Book here The pull of Daylesford is plain to see: you've got the chocolate-box village and miles of untouched Costwolds countryside, the fresh and seasonal produce and a recently renovated spa that fuses ancient practices with modern innovation. Better still is a bespoke wellness retreat at the Daylesford farm, which resides just outside of Kingham, and a stay at one of its quaint but seriously chic cottages. Complete with all the Daylesford frills, you can spend your wellness retreat catching up on slumber and luxuriating in the spa - movement classes are not your standard here, and the treatments are holistic yet transformative, thanks to the highly intuitive therapists and Bamford's bespoke approach to wellness. Book here The Bulgari Hotel might be in a prime central London location, moments from Harrods, but once you've changed into your robe and slippers you couldn't feel further from the hustle and bustle of Knightsbridge. Its spa is a lesson in relaxation and luxury, with a dramatic 25-metre pool lined with loungers and cabana style beds as its crown jewel. A separate vitality pool has a range of full body massage jets and, in true Bulgari style, is finished with tiny tiles of gold leaf glass. They might not be a necessity to feeling relaxed, but they certainly help. Away from the pool, what sets the Bulgari Hotel apart from many other central London hotels is its extensive and bespoke treatment offering. Its spa menu has everything from hyperbaric oxygen therapy and floatation therapy to infrared deep tissue massage and a number of grounding journeys. For those who enjoy raising their heartbeat before they become robe-clad can spend time in their gymnasium or studio, which offers one on one workout sessions or group classes. Their wellness journeys are full of options to cater to each guests individual needs. Whether you're looking to improve your sleep, de-stress or nurture your overall wellbeing, the Bulgari team will create an itinerary with your specific needs in mind. Begin your journey with a workout in the gymnasium, or a pilates session in the studio, followed by a session in the recovery suite to be guided between alternate hot and cold therapies to leave you rejuvenated and ready for your final treatment of the day in the spa. Finish off day one with dinner in the restaurant, and then get an early night in one of the Bulgari suites. Begin your second day with breakfast in the Bulgari Lounge, followed by a class in the studio. Your afternoon is compiled of a Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy followed by fresh fruit and juice, finished off with a grounding treatment of your choice. The Bulgari Hotel doesn't do things by half, and their wellness journeys are no different. Indulgent, rejuvenating and carefully created, you'll leave with a new sense of self. The Coworth Park experience is as grand as the sprawling white Georgian manor it's housed in. The 240-acre estate is less than an hour by train from London and has the royal seal of approval - Prince Harry stayed the night before his wedding to Meghan Markle in 2018. Activities are endless. From horse riding to duck herding (yes, really!), Coworth Park knows how to make the most of the great outdoors. Inside, suites have four poster beds, huge bathtubs and beautiful views of the grounds. Nature is a running theme throughout the hotel, so if you're someone who needs Mother Earth to feel truly rested, this is the place to book yourself in for a wellness retreat. The eco luxury spa is a short golf buggy ride away, or a leisurely stroll through Coworth Park's grounds. The indoor swimming pool is surrounded by floor to ceiling windows so you're always in the heart of the sprawling scenery. The spa offers a range of treatments, from traditional massages to innovative techniques. After your treatment spend the rest of your spa time in the sauna and steam rooms, a much needed oasis in your post-treatment slumber. Finish the day in the The Barn, British cuisine in a comfortable, relaxed setting. Book now A North Yorkshire institute, there's a reason why locals who live a mere five minutes away rush back to Grantley Hall, Ripon, for an overnight getaway. Hidden in the Yorkshire Dales, behind a grand gated entrance and surrounded by 30 acres of woodland park, the drive up to the hotel is an indication of what's in store - old school luxury, and lots of it. Once inside you'll find everything you need to rest and recuperate. The Relais & Chateaux hotel houses four restaurants, 47 suites and a Three Graces spa, which is dedicated to 'restoring beauty and balance.' Guests can relax in the indoor to outdoor pool, unwind in the Nordic Spa Garden - which features two ice baths and an outdoor sauna - or enjoy lunch in the Three Graces Lounge which offers a range of healthy snacks. While a spa day at Grantley Hall will work wonders it's their Wellness Retreats that will make sure you leave a whole different person. Their Elite Retreat is a fully immersive one-night package designed to focus on health, fitness and wellbeing. Tailored to your needs, the 24 hour programme includes a variety of treatments and one-on-one sessions with a personal trainer and can be as hardcore or relaxed as you wish. Start the day with a consultation with a nutritionist, followed by a lunch in the Spa Lounge. Then the afternoon begins with a personal training session, and a specialist treatment which will be decided after your consultation, depending on your needs and the results you're looking for. Finish day one with dinner at one of Grantley's four restaurants - a well-earned treat. Day two is just as relaxing with breakfast, an electric music simulation session and a treatment at the spa. You'll leave feeling stronger in body and mind. London may not seem the obvious choice for a wellness-focussed escape, but that's only because you haven't stayed at The Emory. Located in Knightsbridge, it's the capital's first all-suite hotel and the latest opening from Maybourne, the group behind such prestigious properties as Claridge's and The Connaught. Here, however, luxury reaches a whole new level: stays include a helicopter transfer, use of the house car, a private assistant, complimentary mini-bar complete with champagne, and service that borders on the clairvoyant. Simply surrendering to the cocooning care on offer at The Emory is escape enough as it is – but it's access to Surrenne, the hotel's in-house, ultra-exclusive spa and health club, that makes for a truly transformative stay. All guests receive temporary membership to this four-floor temple of wellbeing for the duration of their sojourn, that boasts a spectacular subterranean pool, aromatic steam room, the UK's sole Tracy Anderson studio, a nutritionist-led cafe and holistic treatments spanning everything from LYMA laser and FaceGym facials to four-hand massages and full-body wet room rituals. Pure relaxation comes all too easily, especially for those who have booked the Art of Wellbeing package, that includes everything you need for the most spoiling weekend retreat. As for those seeking a full-scale, science-led health MOT, Surrenne also offers all the medical consultations, diagnostics, testing and access to world-class experts you might expect to find. Book here It might be located just over an hour from central London, but Beaverbrook feels like a veritable world away. The only sound for miles is the chirping of birds, while the picturesque, rolling Surrey Hills extend as far as the eye can see – and in such a naturally serene setting, all of life's stresses melt away with ease. In short: it's the perfect place for a wellness retreat, particularly given it's also home to the award-winning Coach House Spa. This is precisely the idea behind the Beaverbrook Spa Escape, that includes an overnight stay in the quintessentially British, historic hotel and dinner at one of the restaurants (we'd recommend The Dining Room for exquisite Japanese cuisine), alongside a 60-minute massage and full use of the Coach House facilities. In just 24 hours, you'll emerge refreshed and relaxed as can be, having spent your time between the heated pools, sauna, steam room, hyperbaric Oxygen chamber and Brian Clarke-designed treatment rooms, as well as making the most of the woodland trails and walks in the 470-acre grounds beyond – before falling into one of the ultra-plush, four-poster beds for a luxuriously deep, healing sleep. Time it correctly and you might even coincide with one of the Spa's many visiting masters, who offer unique experiences in the likes of meditation, Qigong, acupuncture and energy work. Meanwhile, those who need a little more help to fully de-stress would be well-advised to book the Meadow Hut signature treatment, that combines breathwork, sound bath meditation and smudging rituals with an invigorating full-body massage to instil a profound bliss that lasts far beyond the 90 minutes. Book here If you're searching for a quick-fix remedy for rising cortisol that is coincidentally in the heart of London, allow us to introduce you to Treehouse. Located moments away from Oxford Circus, there's something unique about the sustainably-focused space and quirky interiors, which appear like an unexpected sanctuary away from the chaos outside. The hotel has recently added to its wellness offering too, introducing a wellness retreat with MAY Botanicals, the beauty brand created by Georgia May Jagger. Spend 24 hours at the hotel, starting with a MAY facial at the acclaimed Pffefer Sal salon just a quick walk away, indulge in Mexican fare at the hotel's rooftop restaurant Madera, and wake up to a hearty breakfast overlooking the London skyline. Amelia Bell is the Senior Site Beauty Editor at ELLE UK, developing beauty strategy, writing, editing, and commissioning, and overseeing all beauty content for the site. Amelia has a particular interest in sustainable beauty practices, exploring the skin-mind connection, and decoding the latest treatments, tweakments and runway trends. She also has bylines for Women's Health, Refinery29, British Vogue, Harrods Magazine, and more.
The Independent
21-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
English carbonara: A clever twist on a Roman classic
Tom Sellers takes the Roman classic and gives it a decidedly British accent. His 'English carbonara' swaps pecorino for the nutty tang of Old Winchester, while Cacklebean eggs and pepper dulse – a briny, umami-rich seaweed – add depth and intrigue. It's a dish that feels familiar yet fresh, simple but smart. The secret? Timing. Stirring in the egg mix off the heat is the difference between silky sauce and scrambled regret. 'English carbonara' – Cacklebean eggs, Old Winchester and pepper dulse Serves: 4 Ingredients: 240g spaghetti pasta 200ml egg mix 6g black pepper 10g Old Winchester cheese 10g pepper dulse seaweed (available at Waitrose or well-stocked grocery stores) 150g pancetta or smoked bacon For the egg mix: 1 whole egg 5 egg yolks 50ml double cream 70g Old Winchester cheese 2g black pepper 2g salt Method: 1. To make the egg mix place everything in a blender and blend until smooth. 2. Get a large pot of seasoned water and bring to the boil. 3. Start to cook your pasta. 4. In a separate pan fry some pancetta until golden then add some pepper dulse. 5. Add your cooked pasta and pull the pan off the heat and add your egg mix and mix together. Very important the pan is not too hot at this point, or you will end up with scrambled eggs. 6. Serve and grate a healthy amount of Old Winchester cheese over the top.
