12 of the country spas closest to London

If it’s summer in the city and you want greener pastures and time to relax in peace, what better escape than a beautiful country spa hotel? With lawns for lounging and the possibility of a treatment or two, there is no better place to while away the day – or the whole weekend.

Luckily for Londoners, there are plenty of excellent hotels within easy reach of the capital that boast a menu of indulgent spa treatments and stunning pools (and yes, some are outside with no queues – unlike our city’s swimming pools).

These are our favorite spa hotels near London – all less than two hours away for a day trip, and less than three for a weekend of indulgence.

Looking for last minute August bank holiday plans? At the time of writing, they are all available to book for the long weekend.

You can reach the grounds of Elcot Park in less than half an hour – and that’s where the fleas tell their name begins. Part of the Boutique Signet Collection of hotels, the fascade is a beautiful class II listed building of the 18th century near Newbury.

As well as 55 bedrooms in an eclectic style (if you choose to sleep), it also has a tennis court, a beautiful outdoor swimming pool surrounded by beautiful sun loungers and a children’s area. And don’t forget the spa – The Signet Spa, has hydrotherapy pools, treatment rooms, sauna, gym, spin class studio and relaxation area. Spa days include afternoon tea or lunch in the contemporary 1772 Brasserie.

Time from London: 1 hour and 15 minutes

How to get there by public transport: Take the GWR to Oxford from Paddington and get off at Reading. Change to GWR to Newbury. Then for the fastest option take a 15 minute taxi to The Retreat in Elcot.

Spa days start from £150 per person, including a 60-minute treatment and £35 for meals. retreatelcotpark.com

The Gainsborough Spa provides a modern twist on the town’s thermal water heritage. The spa is set under a glass atrium and offers several spa days that include a welcome drink and afternoon tea. You will have use of the gym, sauna, thermal pool and relaxation terrace and receive a special aromatherapy blend session.

Time from London: 1 hour 35 minutes

How to get there by public transport: Take the Great Western Railway line from Paddington Station to Bristol Temple Meads and get off at Bath Spa. It’s a seven minute walk to the hotel.

Known for its polo grounds, this stunning manor house is set in the wild meadows of Ascot. The jewel in the crown (though not to be missed is the Michelin starred Woven by Adam Smith) is the tranquil eco spa. The oasis-like space has a magnificent heated pool lined with giant amethysts, as well as a relaxing steam room and a gym equipped with top-of-the-line Technogym equipment. After a blissful treatment with Ishga products (made with the power of Hebridean seaweed), you will look great after sitting back and relaxing with herbal tea facing the lavender swaying in the air-conditioned room. If you’re peckish, try Spatisserie, a very relaxing cloud-like dining space.

Day trips are possible, but the rooms are not to be missed: with four-poster beds, bronze baths and unbeatable views of the English countryside.

Time from London: 1 hour 32 minutes

How to get there by public transport: Take a South Western Railway train from Waterloo Station to Reading, getting off at Sunningdale. Take a taxi from the station to Coworth Park – or walk for half an hour.

Spa days start from £240 for the day, spa and meal deals are £95, with light dinners in The Drawing Room, and rooms start at £545 per night. dorchestercollection.com

The Grove Hotel is set in 300 acres of lush Hertfordshire countryside – but it’s the award-winning Sequoia spa that’s worth a visit with its unique black-tiled swimming pool, supersized jacuzzi and steam room. A stunning vaulted ceiling adds a rustic charm to the relaxing space. Enjoy special care with natural and sustainable products from Bamford or Natura Bissé products.

Time from London: 57 minutes

How to get there by public transport: Jump on the West Midlands Train from Euston to Birmingham New Street. Get off at Watford Junction and take the number 10 bus to Woolside, and get off at Hollytree House. Walk 20 minutes to The Grove or order a taxi / Uber.

Just 40 miles northwest of London, you can reach this luxury hotel faster than most of us commute to work. The National Trust-owned Grade I listed Jacobean and Georgian house fronts a stunning spa with pool, spa bath, steam room, sauna and treatment room.

Time from London: 47 minutes

How to get there by public transport: Take the Chiltern Railways train from Marylebone to Oxford. Get off at Haddenham and Thame Parkway, a 13 minute walk to Hartwell House.

With a range of restorative and soothing treatments on offer, this five-star hotel is the perfect place to escape and relax. For a sense of well-being, opt for a mindfulness massage that combines breathing and visualization techniques and a therapeutic full-body massage to promote positivity.

Time from London: 1 hour 40 minutes

How to get there by public transport: Take the GWR line to Bristol Temple Meads, get off at Chippenham. Get the 635 bus from outside the station to Marshfield, hop off at the Valley Way Shelter and walk seven minutes to the hotel.

This classic country house hotel had a stunning eclectic renovation last summer in a design collaboration with Dorothée Meilichzon and De Matos Ryan. With 300 years of history, it has been a destination of inspiration for writers and creatives for centuries – it was once owned by Edward the Confessor.

The award-winning C-side spa has also undergone a beautiful interior overhaul, maintaining its stunning post-modern exterior. Take in the stunning surroundings of the heated indoor and outdoor pools and enjoy a soul-nourishing treatment using natural products from Monu Skin. Relax afterwards in the sauna or steam room and don’t miss the chance to try local fare in the new hotel restaurant, where the team is led by the famous chef Jackson Boxer.

Time from London: 2 hours 51 minutes

How to get there by public transport: Hop on a GWR train from Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads and get off at Swindon Station. Get the 51 bus from there (bay 16) to Cheltenham and hop off at Cowley Turn which is only a 9 minute walk to the Manor.

Rooms start from £250 per night, with spa access and breakfast included. cowleymanor.com

You may recognize Cliveden as the hotel where Meghan Markle stayed the night before marrying Prince Harry, and the spa offers a menu of treatments by the Duchess of Sussex’s facialist, Sarah Chapman. The devil is in the details here – the spa even has its own scent called Nancy (after Nancy Astor) made with notes of fruit blossom, jasmine wild mint and lily. The indoor and outdoor pools are the most Instagrammable places to relax between treatments, while the garden’s hot tub can be enjoyed well into the winter.

Time from London: 1 hour 49 minutes

How to get there by public transport: Take the Chiltern Railways train to Oxford from Marylebone Station, getting off at High Wycombe. Walk five minutes to the R bus stop on the high street and get on the 31 to Maidenhead Town Center getting off at Riversdale South. From there walk 40 minutes to the hotel or take a taxi/Uber.

Spa days start from £325 with a 60-minute treatment and lunch included, and with afternoon tea from £375 (Monday – Thursday). Rooms start from £445 per night on a bed and breakfast basis. clivedenhouse.co.uk

Set in 12 acres of pristine Cotswolds countryside, Whatley Manor is the perfect escape from busy London without straying too far. The honey stone spa building is the ultimate retreat, with indoor and outdoor hydrotherapy pools, thermal suites and salt showers. The treatment uses luxurious natural Sothys products. There’s even a flotation tank if you want to escape the world!

How to get there by public transport: From Paddington, get on the GWR, jump off at Chippenham where you can book a taxi.

Spa days start from £160 for a half day with smoothies and a 90-minute spa treatment. Overnight stays start from £386. whatleymanor.com

A country house with a modern edge, Dormy is in the heart of the Cotswolds. The recently renovated indoor-outdoor Scandi spa includes several floors. It offers a lavender sauna, a rhassoul mud room, a nail salon, an infinity pool and an outdoor hot tub. Choose from a relaxing floating tank experience, CBD or top-to-toe body treatments, designed to energize and restore inner peace.

Time from London: 2 hours 40 minutes

How to get there by public transport: The GWR line to Weston Super Mare from Paddington will take you to Swindon Station where you need to change to bus 51A to Stratton from bay 16. Stay on this bus for an hour and get off at Park View stop where Dormy House is a three minute walk.

Spa days start from £125, hotel rooms start from £309 per night. dormyhouse.co.uk

In the heart of the glorious Cotswolds near Tetbury, Calcot is situated in a 14th century farmstead with 34 uniquely designed rooms. The newly renovated spa has a dream outdoor hot tub, steam and sauna rooms, and offers weekend guests the chance to follow a personal wellness program mindful care.

There are facials and massages with Comfort Zone products, as well as Reiki and reflexology on offer. After the treatment, choose from a menu of healthy snacks and drinks from brands such as Pulsin and Dirtea smoothies. There’s also a new state-of-the-art gym for those who like to work up a sweat. The perfect place for a detox weekend.

Time from London: 3 hours and 3 minutes

How to get there by public transport: Take the GWR train from Paddington to Cheltenham Spa, getting off at Stroud. Get the 63 bus to Wickwar from Stop N outside the station and get off at Calcot Farm where the Manor is a three minute walk.

Spa day packages with rooms start from £409. calcot.com

Lime Wood Hotel is like something from a Jane Austen novel – it’s just a place to live out the Lady of Fantasy Manor. in the heart of the New Forest, Herb House Spa inspired by the stunning surroundings and dedicated to an atmosphere of serenity. Covering three levels, there is a sauna, an indoor hydro pool with forest views, a mud house and an outdoor heated pool. For the day you choose from a completely bespoke package or a special extra option including two treatments.

Time from London: 2 hours and 19 minutes

How to get there by public transport: From Waterloo, take the South Western Railway train to Weymouth and get off at Southampton Central. Change trains there to get a South Western Railway train to Poole, stay here for 10 minutes until you reach Ashurst New Forest. From here it is better to take a taxi