Must-Book Spas in Yorkshire
With so many to choose from, it's easy to combine a spa break in Yorkshire with a city centre shopping trip or cultural activities, or perhaps you prefer somewhere to switch off, surrounded by the simple beauty of the sweeping countryside
Swinton Park
The multi-million-pound contemporary Country Club and Spa here is in direct contrast with the historic, castellated country house hotel to which it belongs. The 18-metre indoor pool is great for lengths, and the indoor hydrotherapy pool good for relaxation, with a choice of massage jets, but outdoors there’s a spa garden with a 10-metre natural pool for eco-friendly bathing in the bio-filtered water, and a hot tub and fire pit on standby should you need to warm up post-swim. As you’d expect in a spa of this standard, there’s an impressive thermal suite complete with aroma steam room, a salt room and Finnish sauna, a high-tech gym, bodywork room and exercise studio. Treatments take place in the first-floor treatment suite and there’s a break out space here for relaxation. With a Terrace Restaurant & Bar serving seasonal dishes using locally grown produce, and poolside service available too, you’ll need at least a full day here to make the most of what’s on offer, and a lot longer if you want to explore the whole of the magnificent Swinton Estate.
Swinton Park, Ripon HG4 4JH
swintonestate.com
No1 York by Guesthouse
What it lacks in size, it makes up for in hushed, cocooning calm. Tucked away under the arches of this historic and newly-refurbished hotel in the heart of York, the down-to-earth treatment rooms include a couple’s room and an elegant relaxation breakout room. The eco-luxury products used here are all formulated and blended in Britain by Pinks Boutique and all the pure, vegan, organic, sustainably-and-ethically-sourced ingredients can be fully traced back to their source for completely natural and effective treatments. We love the idea of the Herbal Healer, a ritual for two that magnifies the beautiful benefits of the lavender that grows so wild in Yorkshire with a smoothing scrub, tension-easing massage, and a glow-inducing facial. If you want to venture out, all the cultural and historic sights of the city are literally on your doorstep, and there’s plenty of retail therapy available in York’s many fabulous independent shops too.
1 Clifton, York YO30 6AA
guesthousehotels.co.uk
Coniston Hotel, Country Estate & Spa
The award-winning and newly refurbished Nasarra Spa at the Coniston Hotel makes the most of its idyllic location as a place to relax and reconnect with nature. There are two new outdoor infinity pools and a private spa garden with garden baths, where you can sit back, relax and soak up the oh-so-spectacular scenery with a bespoke bath treatment, a thermal suite with aromatherapy steam room, Himalayan salt sauna, infrared sauna and indoor bubble pool, and lots of organic treatments on offer. There’s a special Rasul Spa Experience available here too, and a couple’s suite whilst the fully equipped gym will get your blood pumping. Special spa packages include a Spa & Dine and you can hire the whole of the spa for your private hen or stag party.
Coniston Cold, Skipton BD23 4EA
theconistonhotel.com
Chevin Country Park Spa
For an altogether different retreat, this log cabin resort has a unique Alpine feel to its spa. The main building, made of logs, is home to some of the hotel rooms, a lake-view restaurant, and real fireplaces carefully dotted around.The woodland spa may be small in comparison to many with just two treatments rooms, but you can choose from the usual wide range of treatments and there is an outdoor hot tub, large indoor pool and thermal suite and well-equipped gym. It’s the perfect place to get back to nature, if just for a short while.
York Gate, Otley LS21 3NU
chevinhotel.co.uk
Turkish Baths Harrogate
Immerse yourself in the unique surroundings of Britain’s most fully restored Victorian Turkish Baths. Their importance lies in the elaborate decoration and genuine rarity. The Baths’ Moorish design with Islamic arches and screens, walls of vibrant glazed brickwork, the arabesque painted ceilings and terrazzo floors all add to its historic elegance. With its traditional ritual of heating, cooling and cleansing the body, you’ll start and end your journey in the Frigidarium, an elegant relaxation room. There’s a steam room, three heated chambers ranging from 40C to 70C, and a plunge to cool you down and tone you up. There is also an extensive treatment menu of contemporary spa and holistic options here, which originate from around the world. Try the signature Turkish Spa Body Ritual. Inspired by traditional Mediterranean and Eastern bathing culture, this cleansing, purifying and nourishing body ritual encourages an overall sense of well-being and vitality and incorporates a stimulating volcanic scrub and an energising body massage using warm jojoba oil infused with essential oils. We also love the Neon Sleep Treatment with a reflex foot massage, and hot oil body, face, head and neck stress-relieving massage. Perfectly placed in the centre of Harrogate, combine your spa trip with some retail therapy.
Parliament Street, Harrogate HG1 2WH
turkishbathsharrogate.co.uk
Grantley Hall
This sprawling Palladian-style hotel has become something of an icon in Yorkshire in recent times. Set in 30 acres of parkland and formal gardens (wellies are available to borrow and walking routes well laid out) and with a choice of restaurants (including that of Michelin-starred chef Shaun Rankin, and the Orchard Terrace with its constantly changing menu and comfy seating for sipping in the sunshine) it’s no wonder it’s one of Yorkshire’s must-visit places. Grantley Hall also has an impressive two-level Three Graces spa. Water babies will love the 18-metre pool, indoor-outdoor hydrotherapy pools, and outdoor cedar hot tub. The innovative treatment menu features Ila and Natural Bissé, and there are holistic treatments available too including reiki, reflexology and crystal healing.There’s also a thermal experience and snow room, and slumber-inducing relaxation areas including an outdoor terrace. You probably won’t want to leave but the historic towns of Ripon and Richmond are on your doorstep and well worth exploring, as is the stunningly peaceful Fountains Abbey.
Ripon HG4 3ET
grantleyhall.co.uk
Titanic Spa
The UK’s first ever eco-spa, and boasting state-of-the-art facilities, Titanic Spa is tucked away in a former 20th-century textile mill. Once a day spa, Titanic now has on-site apartments all with private balconies that have stunning views over the surrounding Pennines. Their own water source provides fresh drinking water, as well as bathing water for the plunge pool, salt-regulated swimming pool, sensory showers, the hot tub outside, and the ice experience – the eco credentials here are as important as your sense of wellbeing. Treatments range from special pre-natal massage to exfoliation, detox and body therapies – you can even enjoy a skin-softening mud chamber experience. Restorative, holistic treatments include reflexology and reiki, and when it’s time to refuel, Titanic’s bistro serves up deliciously nutritious dishes all made with locally-sourced ingredients. With a range of spa breaks to choose from including a Time to Sparkle and a Fabulous Friday Break, check out their special offers before you book.
Linthwaite, Huddersfield HD7 5UN
titanicspa.com
Wood Hall Hotel & Spa
Surrounded by 100 acres of woods and fields, plus a stretch of the River Wharfe at the bottom of the garden, there’s plenty of space to relax at this country house hotel, from the terrace in the Italianate garden for warm-weather drinks to the elegant but unstuffy drawing room and of course, the hotel’s spa. There’s the ubiquitous swimming pool, hot spa bath, steam room and state-of-the-art techno gym, and a treatment menu offering everything from anti-ageing facials and full body wraps to Indian head massages. With so much to see nearby you can combine your spa retreat with a bit of culture with the Bronte Parsonage Museum and Harewood House on your doorstep.
Linton, Wetherby LS22 4JA
handpickedhotels.co.uk
