Top 8 UK Spa Retreats for a Girls Weekend
Published 11th Aug 2022
Allowing yourself to spend quality time with friends is super important for maintaining your overall wellbeing. It’s in these moments that your friendships truly grow and strong connections are formed.
In today’s fast paced society, it's becoming more and more difficult to find the time to get together and meet up for a good old chat.
If you and the girls can relate and feel like a weekend retreat is long overdue, then look no further than indulging yourselves at one of the luxury spas the UK has to offer. Healthier skin, stress relief and improved sleep quality are just a handful of the benefits you'll receive.
Whether you’re after the relaxation that comes with a countryside getaway or you prefer the buzz of the city, we’ve got you covered. Here’s our list of the Top 8 Spa Retreats for a Girl’s Weekend in the UK.
1. The Falls Spa at Lodore Falls Hotel and Spa, Keswick, Lake District
The highlight of The Falls Spa has to be its idyllic location right on the edge of Derwentwater. Enjoy a glass of fizz while gazing across the lake on one of the underwater bubble loungers by the infinity edge of the 16-metre vitality pool.
After reopening its doors in 2018 after a £13 million refurbishment, The Falls Spa has been crowned the Best Spa for a Countryside Getaway at the 2021 Good Spa Awards. Just one of the many awards it has to its name! That alone is a reason for it to make your short list, never mind the state-of-the-art treatments on offer including the Akwaterra massage that replaces hot pebbles with ergonomic sandstone tools for better kneading.
Recommended treatment: ishga Hot Stone Massage – 50m/ £95
Website: www.lakedistrictspa.co.uk
2. Rudding Park Hotel and Spa, Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Rudding Park is a grand Georgian property complete with immaculate grounds and standalone spa building. The spa, which opened its doors in 2017, is split over three floors with glass walls to showcase the stunning surrounding gardens. Located on the outskirts of the spa town Harrogate, Rudding Park draws on the natural spring water to fill its pools.
Inside the spa you’ll find a 17-metre pool, juniper log sauna and even an oxygen pod! Once you’ve made your way up to the top floor, you'll be greeted with a luxurious roof top terrace where you’ll find a range of steam rooms, a bubbly hydrotherapy infinity pool and multiple chill out areas complete with stylish loungers and umbrellas.
Feeling peckish? Why not head down to Horto, the contemporary café serving a two-course lunch of light salads and wraps.
Recommended treatment: Natura Bisse Diamond Energy Ritual – 1h 45m/ £250 (for 2 people)
Website: www.ruddingpark.co.uk/spa
3. The Ned’s Club Spa at The Ned, London
If you’re after a city centre location for your spa retreat destination then look no further than The Ned’s Club Spa. Cocooned beneath London’s financial district in the basement of The Ned hotel (formerly the Midland Bank), you’ll find an elegant 20-metre pool complete with a sauna, steam room and traditional Moroccan hammam. The ceiling above the pool is still adorned with original features from the bank making for a sublime experience when relaxing in the pool.
What really sets Ned’s Club Spa apart from the rest are the other services it has on offer in addition to standard spa treatments. You can choose from a full range of services at the in-house hair salon, Ned’s Parlour. Or, if you’re in need of a fast hydration hit why not try a VitaDrip infusion!
Recommended treatment: Deep Tissue Massage – 1h/ £160
Website: www.thened.com/london/spa-and-grooming
4. The Spa at South Lodge Hotel and Spa, Horsham, West Sussex
Situated in the grounds of the 19th Century country house South Lodge, The Spa opened its doors for the first time in March 2019 after a £15 million development. The 44,000sq ft standalone spa has a grass roof along with oak cladding which helps to blend the building in with the rolling hills of the South Downs. As well as this, these features help the spa tie in with the heritage of the hotel. Originally built in 1883 by Frederick DuCane Godman, a Victorian plant collector, the building has a fascinating history which you can read more about here: www.exclusive.co.uk/the-spa-at-south-lodge.
The Spa is the perfect example of modern luxury. Although it’s only a short walk from the main hotel building, the staff will transport you in a golf buggy (a service we LOVE). Once inside you’ll be greeted with a 22-metre pool, a sauna and a choice of either a herbal or salt steam room. The real showstopper, though, is the large outdoor terrace with a hydrotherapy pool, cocoon chairs and fire pit. Keep going once you’re outside and you’ll find the naturally filtered swimming pond (heated just enough to take the chill off) which claims to be the first of its kind in the UK!
Recommended Treatment: The Spa Bamboo Massage – 1h/ £125
Website: www.exclusive.co.uk/the-spa-at-south-lodge
5. The Spa at Carden Park, Chester, Chesire
Positioned within the 1,000-acre grounds of the privately owned, award-winning Carden Park Hotel, The Spa at Carden is a luxury destination that offers superior service, world-class facilitates and an utterly seamless spa experience. After driving for 5 minutes through the breathtaking grounds you’ll eventually be greeted by the truly mesmerising entrance to The Spa. The sheer size of the 48,000sq ft detached building will genuinely take your breath away.
Step inside and the floor to ceiling windows flood the area with natural light and helps gives the spa a special indoor/outdoor vibe. Inside you’ll find a large vitality pool, an extensive thermal suite and a variety of relaxation spaces. But the real talking point is the garden and outdoor facilities. With calm, contemporary music played throughout, you can enjoy a glass of fizz from the all-weather Bollinger Champagne bar while having a soak in one of the three outdoor hot tubs or taking a dip in the outdoor pool. Still not satisfied? Why not try the outdoor sauna also fitted with floor to ceiling windows to continue the outdoors theme.
Recommended Treatment: Detox Booster Body Wrap – 1h 30m/ £105
Website: www.cardenpark.co.uk/spa
6. Cottonmill Spa at Sopwell House, St Albans, Hertfordshire
Just 40 minutes from central London you’ll find the luxurious three-storey Cottonmill Spa at Sopwell House (an 18th century Georgian manor hotel just outside St Albans). The spa is the product of a £14 million investment along with a global quest to cherry pick the very best elements from top spas across the world. This has resulted in world-class, jaw-dropping facilities including a therapeutic salt steam room, organic salt sauna scented with essential oils and a luxury outdoor shower.
As you make your way outside, the wood-decked spa gardens you'll find were designed by gold-medal-winning RHS Chelsea Flower Show designer Ann-Marie Power. Filled with multiple loungers, fire pits and a hot tub, this is the perfect place to put your feet up and unwind in the outdoors.
Recommended Treatment: ELEMIS Garden of England – 1h/ £115
Website: www.sopwellhouse.co.uk/cottonmill-spa
7. Brimstone Hotel and Spa, Ambleside, Lake District
If you’re looking to get away from the city life and truly relax while surrounded by nature then look no further than Brimstone Hotel and Spa. Located right in the heart of the Lake District on the Langdale Estate, you’ll be surrounded by the dramatic Langdale Pikes making for a truly surreal location. The spa itself blends effortlessly with the surrounding landscape and consists of 10 thermal experiences and a ‘menu’ that guides you through the recommended order. The lava sauna and himalaya salt steam have got to be our favourites!
The pool seamlessly transitions from indoors to outdoors through a permanent gap in the glass wall. Outside, you’ll find another sauna (this one fitted with windows looking straight onto the fells), an outdoor shower and even a couple of cosy sofas nestled around a roaring fire to keep you warm on those late-night spa sessions.
Recommended Treatment: Pure Alchemy Serenity – 50m/ £125
Website: www.brimstonehotel.co.uk/spa-leisure/brimstone-spa
8. Three Graces Spa at Grantley Hall, Ripon, North Yorkshire
Grantley Hall is an impressive Palladian country house with a rich and colourful past – it has hosted celebrities, members of parliament and even royalty! Until 2019 the building was a private residence but since opening its doors it’s gained a host of awards including the Best Spa for Fitness and Wellbeing at the 2021 Good Spa Awards. A very fitting award as Grantley Hall doesn’t just offer the traditional facilities and treatments you’d expect from a regular spa. The building also houses a state-of-the-art fitness centre that offers underwater treadmills, a cryotherapy chamber and even altitude training!
So, if you’re after a fitness boost then be sure to take advantage of the award-winning facilities on offer before kicking back and relaxing in the hydrotherapy pool.
Recommended Treatment: Kundalini Treatment – 1h/ £150
Website: www.grantleyhall.co.uk/spa/three-graces-spa
Book your coach/minibus!
Thinking of booking transport for your Spa Weekend Retreat? We’ve got you covered, enquire here to get your quote.
Find out more about the range of vehicles on offer here.