The Langley, Iver

Five-star and then some, the mega-swish spa at The Langley has a whole host of features to its name, including a 16-metre indoor swimming pool with an infinity edge, a hammam marble as far as the eye can see and you even get your own spa butler. Fancy. Slip into the fluffy robe and head to the thermal suite of rooms including amethyst crystal steam room and Himalayan salt sauna, there’s an ice room, hot tub, heated loungers and five treatment rooms for you to book into. Expect classic (but extremely high quality) massages and facials, not to mention their signature Langley Spa Journeys, two-hour treatments that are designed to transport you to the distant shores of Bali/Malaysia/Darjeeling etc through aromatherapy and traditional techniques.

Muddy treatment: You’re physically in Bucks but your mind and body are heading straight to Bali. The Journey to Bali (from £225) is a fragrant two-hour treatment that includes a scrub, ceramic stone massage using Balinese oils, followed by a 23 carat gold facial massage.

Bodhi Tree Spa, Chalfont St Peter

Blending elements of Eastern and Western philosophies for the mind, body & soul, the ethos at this award-winning day spa in leafy Chalfont St Peter ticks all the boxes for a relaxing day out. Facilities include an indoor heated pool, sauna, fitness studio and classes, plus the wellbeing offerings here are not to be missed, including six — count them, SIX! — specialised massages as well as Elemis facial and body treatments. Double down on the treats with a meal at the on-site fine-dining restaurant, The Lytton.

Muddy treatment: The Hydropeptide Advanced Brightening Facial (£110) a face saving brightener, packed full of antioxidants. Better for your liver than a case of red wine.

Cowshed Spa, Soho Farmhouse, Great Tew

The members-only Cowshed Spa at Soho Farmhouse offers a range of natural, wildcrafted treatments in the 13 treatment rooms, plus these cool cocooning mani-pedi chairs. The grounds of the farmhouse are part of the experience too, with day beds overlooking the lake and, hidden amongst the wildflowers, a steam room, sauna, restorative ice shed and hot tub infused with mineral salts, complete with its own phone for ordering cocktails (it would be rude not to, wouldn’t it?). You can head over to the Farmhouse Parlour for an up-do or blow dry afterwards. If you’re not a member, book an overnighter (oh, go on then) or find a mate with membership and suggest an away day as their plus one.

Muddy treatment: Release your tension and opt for the classic Deep Tissue Massage. Choose from an express 30-minute massage all the way through to an indulgent 90-minute session, elevated with the scent of a relaxing blend of essential oils.

Spa Illuminata, Danesfield House, Marlow

The sister spa to the groovy Spa Illuminata in Mayfair, the spa at Grade II listed, late Victorian, five-star Danesfield House (which bagged Best Day Spa at the Muddy Bucks/Oxon Awards 2023) is accessed via a glass walkway from the main hotel. The star of the show is the gorgeous, glittering 20m indoor pool and poolside jacuzzi, plus there’s a huge range of treatments on offer including a full range of massages, facials and holistic treatments such as Reflexology and Reiki. There are loads of Spa packages available, but if you opt for an overnighter at the hotel then you get full access to the facilitates including the gym and fitness classes.

Muddy treatment: It has to be the Danesfield House Triology – an 80-minute soother, featuring back exfoliation using salt and coffee grounds, back massage and 10-minute head massage.

Cliveden House Spa, Taplow

Strip down like a Sixties showgirl and get yourself to Cliveden Spa. Loved by celebs and royalty, it’s a stylish, light-filled space of whites and neutrals with deco-inspired touches. The Grade II listed Profumo pool – where Christine Keeler flouted the no heavy petting rule with John Profumo – is FAB-U-LOUS. Inside, there’s another pool, jacuzzi, infrared sauna, steam room and 7 treatment rooms with the most incredible water mattresses. There’s also a gym for anyone suffering from spa guilt (no, me neither) and a lovely café. It’s grand, beautiful and a ton of packages to choose from.

Muddy treatment: We’re all about recovery, so the 60-min Cliveden Body Recovery Treatment (£150) will hit the spot. Using Ayurvedic techniques, it will de-toxify, reinvigorate and relax. Heaven.

Calcot Manor, nr Tetbury

Calcot Manor and Spa outdoor pool and wood store

Calcot Manor is about as quintessentially Cotswolds as it gets – all that gorgeous honey stone and rolling countryside and fit young farmers forking hay with their tops off (hey, just go with it). The spa is a tranquil retreat with headline facilities including an indoor heated 16m pool, sauna, steam room, seven treatment rooms and relaxation lounge but you’ll find us mainlining the outdoor fireside hot tub in the pretty lavender-lined courtyard. The spa’s also kitted out with the latest gym equipment, plus a full timetable of classes from gentle pilates to HIIT (tried it once, couldn’t walk for a week). There’s also the option to borrow a bike to cycle around the 220-acre grounds or a racket to hit the tennis courts.

Muddy treatment: The ultimate life cleanse, the Aromatherapy Associates Forest Therapy (£115) will restore your mind and body from the stresses of modern day living (need we say more?). Free yourself from restlessness and agitation with a Forest Therapy massage, followed by forest bathing (that’s a woodland walk to us mere mortals) in Calcot’s 220-acres.

Bamford Wellness Spa, Daylesford Farm

Located next to Daylesford Farmshop (spa and shop, anyone? Me, ME!), Bamford Haybarn Spa is an absolute corker of a space and, like everything at Daylesford, has been created in the best possible taste. The spa has an extensive programme of activities in the stunning studio – yoga, meditation, pilates, sound healing, HITT, personal training – and treatments that have a holistic approach, using Bamford’s own range of natural body-care. I have some in my bathroom, it’s divine.

Muddy treatment: The kids may have taken 10 years off you, but Ultraformer III is all about bringing your youth back. This non-invasive, face-lifting and body-tightening treatment uses high-intensity focused ultrasound to provide rapid, long-term tightening and contouring of the skin (from £300).

Fairmont Windsor Park, Old Windsor

Fairmont Windsor Park HIMALAYAN SALT rOOM

Five star and totally fabulous, Fairmont Windsor Park’s super-luxe two storey spa is the ultimate indulgence. What can you expect? It’s a Generation Game conveyor belt of relaxation – indoor lap pool, outdoor vitality pool, treatment rooms, Himalayan salt room, thermal suite, Cryotherapy, dry flotation Hammam, Japanese foot spa, hair and nail salons, Facebible skin clinic, indoor and outdoor gym, plus tennis and Padel courts.

Muddy treatment: Unadulterated luxury that slaps you in the face – the 23 carat Liquid Gold, Rose Quartz and Caviar Facial is the ultimate indulgence. The treatment features the highly acclaimed ‘Liquid Gold’ Argan oil gold (not actual gold) plus caviar and pearl that leaves your skin smooth and glowy (from £180). If you’re brave enough, try Cryotherapy and soak up the physical and mental benefits from his ultra cold therapy (£60 for 15mins).

Thames Lido, Reading

Thames Lido outdoor pool Reading Berkshire

Award-winning Thames Lido is as quirky as it is unique. Sandwiched between Reading train station and the River Thames, it’s an oasis of escapism and in a town centre location. Built in Edwardian times as a women’s-only swimming bath, the pool was fed by water from the river (er, gross), but is now a cool, stylish urban retreat with Scandi vibes at its core. There’s a simplicity to Thames Lido. The pool is lusciously low in chlorine, the food is to die for and there’s an outdoor hot tub, saunas and Treatment rooms for a massage, facial of exfoliation.

Muddy treatment: The classic massage is a must. You can choose a relaxing rub down or a more concentrated massage for problematic aches and pains. All I can tell you is they are the best. Swim and massage costs £90pp.

Sopwell House, St Albans, Herts

Cottonmill Spa Sopwell House Herts cabanas in garden

Say hello to Sopwell House‘s Cottonmill Spa – three storeys of R&R! Yup it’s about as plush as they come, with its state-of-the-art fitness facilities, 14m indoor pool, organic sauna, award-winning designer garden and a list of signature treatments harnessing the healing powers of sand and water. , sauna and steam room, plus a spectacular signature treatment list. Or you can gain access to the inner sanctum, The Club at Cottonmill, with its tranquil Deep Relaxation and Whisper Rooms. Membership, spa days and spa breaks are available for both areas.

Muddy treatment: The Cottonmill Signature Vichy (£130 for 60mins) uses hydrotherapy to improve blood circulation, hydrate the skin and bring the body back in balance. Enjoy a full body exfoliation, soothing back massage and back of legs massage whilst the hydrotherapy works on each area.

LONDON

AIRE Ancient Baths, Covent Garden

A subterranean spa gem in the heart of Covent Garden. The blue plaque (and first edition of Peter Pan in reception) say JM Barrie’s former home, but we’re going underground to AIRE Ancient Baths. It’s not your traditional spa day but this candle-lit watery underworld is unique. The water chambers vary in temperature from an icy 10°C to steamy and there’s a Floatarium for a vigorous self-applied salt rub. Don’t panic spa devotees, there are treatments – namely Argan oil rub-downs, Himalayan salt rituals and basalt stone massages.

The Treatments: Who can resist the health benefits of red wine? Well, now you can bathe in it. AIRE’s signature Wine Bath Experience will start with a body massage, the you’ll soak in Spanish Ribera del Duero red grapes while enjoying a soothing cranial massage. Experiences from £98pp.

Bulgari Hotel Spa, Knightsbridge

The jewel in Knightsbridge’s crown, the Bulgari Hotel spa is an underground luxury spa offering world-class facial and body treatments alongside the London’s most serene indoor pool, saunas and steam rooms, and a relaxation space a million miles away from the busy shopping streets above. There are 11 treatment rooms, one of which is the fancy Onyx Spa Suite featuring two side-by-side treatment beds and large hydro massage tub.

Muddy treatment: Indulge in the Oja body treatment by Mauli Rituals (£330) which takes mind-calming massage that will erase all memory of your kids’ bad behaviour – because, yes, it’s that good.

Agua Spa at Sea Containers, South Bank

Sea Containters Hotel Agua Spa relaxation room with sculptural copper drop

The stunning Agua bathhouse and spa at the Sea Containers hotel by the river blends Hollywood glamour, bold art and quirky design. Think luxe treatments amid a backdrop of floaty ceiling-to-floor white silk curtains and Tom Dixon sculptures. It’s not fully-loaded with spa facilities, but there’s enough for you to hit the wellness spot – a large Art Deco steam room, Glamour Room for beautifying, futuristic spa lounge and some seriously special treatments.

Muddy treatment: Diamond Energy Facial (from £103 for 60mins) – designed to help reverse the effects of environmental stress and DNA damage.

Freeeeeedom! 13 luxury spa days for a child-free breather

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