British spas are fusing century-old traditions from across the globe with modern luxury. Here, we reveal the best UK spas that will have you feeling transported.
While crossing continents is arguably the most authentic way to partake in centuries-old healing practices, the truth is that their benefits can be reaped much closer to home. In the UK, forward-thinking spas have been weaving global influences into their wellness offerings for years — enabling guests to feel like they’ve ventured to a far-flung part of the globe. Here, we reveal the best of the bunch.
Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Langham, London
The Langham delivers all you’d expect from a luxury British hotel: marble pillars, immaculate service and an award-winning bar. But, standing apart from the British grandeur of its surroundings, its spa takes inspiration from the East and draws upon the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Each visit begins with a questionnaire to assess your imbalances (based on the Five Elements principles), which are then catered to via treatments, massage oils and teas. Acupuncture and cupping treatments — mainstays of TCM — are standard here, each performed by the spa’s Traditional Chinese Medicine partner, Asante Academy. langhamhotels.com
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The ritual of hammam, The Newt in Somerset, Bruton
Set in a plush 2,000-acre Somerset estate, The Newt draws on the healing powers of nature.
At the spa here guests are invited to stroll through the medicinal herbal garden before choosing between a Turkish or Moroccan hammam. Beginning with a steam, the treatment includes a black soap cleanse and full-body exfoliation with a kessa mitt. You’ll be sure to leave with glowing, baby-soft skin. thenewtinsomerset.com
Read more: ‘I visited Spain’s best-kept secret — it felt like a private sanctuary’
Scottish salt & seaweed, Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort, Glasgow
Mar Hall takes its inspiration from the surrounding landscape. A spa day here is almost like an ode to Ishga — a Scottish skincare brand that utilises the antioxidant qualities of Scottish seaweed and Hebridean salt.
Opt for the detox body wrap treatment, which uses the bioactive components of the seaweed and collagen stimulating properties of the sea salt to detoxify the body, eliminate toxins and improve skin texture. Here, with the surrounding mountain dew, wellness has been reimagined through an authentic, local lens. marhall.com
Balancing doshas Kama Ayurveda, London
As the name suggests, the spa in this stylish venue is dedicated to ayurveda — an alternative medicine practice from South Asia.
It upholds the theory that an imbalance in your doshas (life energies) can result in physical, emotional and mental health issues. Several treatments are available to remedy this, but the most notable is shirodhara — one of the central practises of ayurveda. Oil will be poured onto the ‘third eye’, which claims to harmonise mind, body and spirit, while your consultation with a specialist will include treatment, diet and lifestyle recommendations. kamaayurveda.com
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Swedish rituals The Other House South Kensington, London
We’d be remiss to discuss globally inspired spas without including a place that pays homage to Sweden.
When you book the Aromatherapy Massage at this central-London hotel that feels like a tranquil refuge from the hustle and bustle of the city, you’ll reap the benefits of age-old Swedish techniques that focus on the soft tissues of the body. The treatment blends the therapeutic qualities of oils with the physiological benefits of masterful strokes, helping to restore and revive the body. otherhouse.com
Feature image: Other HouseÂ
