A spa a couple of hours drive from Bristol has been named the best in the South West. However, Bristolians don’t need to travel as far for a top experience, with another winner being just a 30 minute drive away.
The Times and Sunday Times have announced their first definitive list of the 50 Best UK Spas, showcasing the finest spa destinations across the country. The Times and Sunday Times 50 Best UK spas guide, available from Monday September 30 via an interactive online platform and as a special supplement on Sunday, October 6, highlights the growing trend towards wellness and self-care in the UK.
Boutique health retreat Yeotown in North Devon has been named the South West’s spa of the year by The Times and Sunday Times. Other winners in the area include the Newt in Somerset, with the closest one to Bristol being The Gainsborough Bath Spa, in Bath city centre.
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Giving it an overall score of 9/10, The Times reviewer said of the Gainsborough: “For such a grand city centre hotel to feel hidden away is quite some trick, but it’s one the Gainsborough manages to pull off.
“Its handsome Georgian façade, all serious stone and portentous pillars, draws you in from an unassuming Bath side street to a somewhat labyrinthine world of understated sophistication, charming service and graceful rooms. The real magic, however, is in the beautifully warm, mineral-rich water that is drawn from deep below the earth’s surface and used in the subterranean Spa Village’s three thermal pools.”
However, the top spot in the South West went to Yeotown, an 11-room retreat in a converted 17th-century farmhouse on a 40-acre estate outside Barnstaple offers five-day group programmes.
It scored highly for its facilities and treatments and the Times’s expert enjoyed “sea swims, log-fired saunas and evening massages” during their stay. Claire Irvin, Head of Travel of The Times and Sunday Times, said: “This inaugural edition of our 50 Best UK Spas guide builds on the ongoing success of our popular ‘Best Places to Stay’ and ‘Best Beaches’ lists.
“At The Times and Sunday Times, our award-winning travel team is dedicated to producing the most authoritative, meticulously researched, expert guides, and our new spa list reflects the growing importance of wellness in the UK.
“According to the Global Wellness Institute, the UK is now the world’s fastest-growing wellness market, with Brits spending an average of £2,500 a year on wellbeing and fitness. Our guide celebrates the impressive depth and individuality of the UK’s spa offerings-places where readers can invest in their health and relaxation, from cutting-edge wellness retreats to tranquil countryside escapes. With this guide, we aim to offer a trusted resource for planning the ultimate rejuvenation getaway.”
Susan d’Arcy, Hotel and Spa Expert at The Times and Sunday Times, added: “With the UK spa scene in such robust health, it’s the perfect time for us to launch a guide to the best places to experience it. Obviously, excellent treatments, knowledgeable therapists and results-driven skincare ranges are the non-negotiables for inclusion but we’ve also prioritised thoughtful design, comprehensive facilities and inventive health-focused cuisine.”