Nature bathing, outdoor saunas and forest spa experiences: The rise of the UK's wild wellness retreats

Post-Covid more of us have discovered two things - a reverence for the great outdoors, as well as a renewed love of the British countryside. In line with both we have seen the ongoing rise of popularity in outdoor wellness experiences, from saunas to forest bathing, and natural swim ponds, all helping us to reconnect with ourselves and with nature.

Why nature-based wellness is growing

It’s a natural instinct - to seek out open space when we need to rest, whether that means looking out at the deep blue of the sea on a coastal break or absorbing the green of rural vistas. We don’t really need research to tell us that this is something that feeds, mind, body and soul, but increasingly it does.

For example, a study titled the Noticing Nature Intervention, led by Dr. Holli-Anne Passmore (an associate professor of psychology at Concordia University of Edmonton in Canada), explored the mental health benefits of consciously observing the natural world. Dr. Passmore noted that previous research showed nature promotes a "transcendent connectedness" to both the earth and other people as a result. Crucially, the data revealed that you don't necessarily have to spend hours hiking to reap the benefits; simply noticing nature, from the patterns of light, to the rustle of leaves, or the colours of a sunset, enhances positive emotions, lowers mental fatigue, and helps restore attention.

The concept of a ‘view’ has real clinical weight, too. Data published by the National Institute of Health highlighted that surgical patients staying in hospital rooms with windows looking out at a natural scene had shorter postoperative stays, required fewer negative remarks in nurses' notes, and took fewer potent painkillers than those whose windows faced a brick wall.

While nature has always played a significant role in the spa world, destinations are responding to demand and enhancing opportunities to enjoy natural light, organic materials, and open-air layouts to amplify these restorative benefits.

The landscape of the modern outdoor spa

The UK's wild wellness landscape has evolved far beyond a hot tub placed on a patio. Today's outdoor spa experiences offer immersive experiences that are unique to each location, from open air thermal suites to cliff-top saunas.

1. The rise of outdoor saunas

While the UK has historically associated saunas with quick gym sessions, it has now moved well beyond that mindset, adopting the authentic, holistic approach of Scandinavian sauna culture. Data from the British Sauna Society highlights just how fast this trend is moving: the number of Finnish-style public saunas in the UK doubled between early 2023 and 2024.

Heat therapy has stood the test of time globally, from Turkish hammams to Russian banyas and Finnish saunas. Medical insights show that sauna heat actively aids the physical recovery process by increasing blood flow and delivering oxygen to tired muscles. It also triggers the release of stress-reducing endorphins that help regulate circadian rhythms and promote better sleep. In modern UK spas, these benefits are often paired with massive glass walls, turning sauna experiences into a visual immersion in nature.

2. Forest bathing and botanical rituals

Originating in Japan as Shinrin-yoku, forest bathing is the intentional act of slowing down, engaging the senses, and letting the nervous system reset in nature. Rather than hiking for fitness, spa goers explore outside spaces, from gardens to woodland, taking time to, in effect, meditate in nature. In other instances, spas are combining the treatment experience with outside space. For example, some have treatment rooms in natural surroundings, like treatment huts sequestered in woodland, or bathing rituals in nourishing botanicals.

3. Eco-conscious wild swimming

There is a unique delight in swimming in the open air, regardless of whether it is under clear summer skies or a grey drizzle, and lots of spas are incorporating natural swim ponds that take the experience a step further. Moving away from chemicals, these outdoor spas use bio-filtered water and natural filtration systems populated by water plants, mimicking the crisp, revitalising feel of a mountain lake.

Spas leading the UK's wild wellness space

Lots of innovative UK spa destinations are championing this shift to spas as natural worlds of wellness, each delivering in its own way, and often acting as a beautiful homage to their surrounding area. A few favourites include:

Wild Spa Wowo, Sussex:

An entirely open-air, seasonal wellness experience explicitly designed around nature connection. It features three distinct outdoor heat setups: the intense, Nordic-style Wild Sauna; the clay-lined, silent Cosy Woodland Sauna; and the steamy Forest Room greenhouse, which boasts panoramic woodland views.

The Spa at Carden, Cheshire:

Set within a vast 1,000-acre country estate, this destination features an expansive 2,500-square-metre spa garden. Its standout feature is a spectacular outdoor sauna with a massive floor-to-ceiling window, allowing guests to absorb the estate's rolling grounds while completely warm.

Hoar Cross Hall, Staffordshire:

Combining classic grand luxury with an expansive new outdoor Spa Terrace, this destination provides three 15-metre thermal pools, a glass-fronted juniper log sauna, fire pits, and Brass Monkey cold barrels for dedicated contrast therapy.

South Lodge, West Sussex:

An eco spa with exceptional style, South Lodge is a glamorous retreat in the heart of the South Downs. Its 44,000 sq. ft. luxury spa has everything you could ask for, from a state-of-the-art gym to indoor and outdoor pools. The surrounding landscape and the spa's resonance with nature is amongst its greatest features, from the swim pond to the 14 nature-inspired treatment rooms. Even the architecture features a grass and sedum roof as well as green oak cladding so it blends with the landscape. Crucially, the swim pond uses a reed-filtered system made up of plants and a biological filter, mimicking the processes found in lakes and streams for crystal clear water.

Yorkshire Spa Retreat, North Yorkshire:

Yorkshire Spa Retreat is set in eight acres of parkland near Helmsley. Here, luxury and wellness combine with beautiful facilities inspired by the natural world. It's constructed of earthy materials - wood, slate, stone and lots of natural light, while facilities range from a hydro-pool to a natural cold water swim pond, herbal steam room, sauna or salt chamber, and a relaxation lounge. At Yorkshire Spa Retreat in North Yorkshire, the natural swimming pond is filtered and purified biologically by water plants and a specialist filtration system, so it feels like a chilled mountain lake.