Sport meets spa: Wellness retreats for active enthusiasts

Spas are not just about facials and fluffy robes. They can also be destinations that combine leisure, wellbeing, and sporting adventure. For fitness lovers and sports enthusiasts, many spas offer exceptional facilities that allow you to indulge in your favourite sport or try something new. Here are six standout sporty spas where relaxation meets recreation.

Football and more at The Spa at Carden

Famous as an adult-only haven with a Bollinger Champagne bar and a 2,500-square-metre spa garden, The Spa at Carden in Cheshire also offers a haven for sports fans. Set on a sprawling 1,000-acre estate, this luxury destination features:

• Two 18-hole championship golf courses
• An FA-sized football pitch
• Facilities for rugby, tennis, and more
• A vineyard and elegant hotel accommodation

Whether you're attending a training camp or just enjoying a kickabout before your massage, it’s a perfect blend of wellness and play.

Tennis and country pursuits at Hoar Cross Hall

Few places combine luxury and sport quite like Hoar Cross Hall. Nestled in 50 acres of Staffordshire countryside, this five-star manor offers:

• Impeccably maintained outdoor tennis courts
• Cycling trails, jogging paths, croquet, archery, and boules
• A state-of-the-art spa set against landscaped gardens and woodlands

It’s an ideal retreat for those who want to balance match point with mindful relaxation.

World-class golf at The Belfry

The legendary Belfry Hotel & Resort is the UK headquarters of the PGA and a bucket-list destination for golf lovers. Just as impressive as its iconic Brabazon course is its holistic spa experience, featuring:

• Simply THE Spa with the popular Fire & Ice thermal suite
• Three golf courses including Ryder Cup host, The Brabazon
• A PGA National Golf Academy for pros and beginners alike

This is the ultimate spa break for anyone who lives and breathes golf.

Padel tennis and pampering at Fairmont Windsor Park

A playground of luxury and sport, Fairmont Windsor Park delivers on every front. From its award-winning spa to expansive grounds, it’s a resort where you’ll want to return again and again. Highlights include:

• Two padel tennis courts and three traditional tennis courts
• An outdoor gym and 20m sled track
• A 2,500m² spa with thermal suites and cryotherapy
• 40 acres of gardens and parkland

Ideal for sporty types who want variety and cutting-edge fitness amenities.

Running trails and riverside calm at Mar Hall Hotel & Golf Resort

Originally built for the 11th Lord Blantyre, Mar Hall Hotel & Golf Resort is a five-star retreat nestled in a 240-acre woodland estate just outside Glasgow. This grand 19th-century country house offers a tranquil escape, where nature, sport, and spa bliss come together in perfect harmony.

For active guests, the estate’s expansive woodland and riverside trails are ideal for walking or running. Meandering through ancient trees and opening up to spectacular views of the River Clyde and Kilpatrick Hills, the trails provide:

• Quiet, scenic routes suitable for joggers of all levels
• Peaceful forest paths with varied terrain
• Breathtaking views for mindfulness in motion - the perfect prelude or follow-up to spa time

After your run, unwind in the Mar Hall Spa, which features a 20-metre swimming pool, detoxifying sauna and steam room, and heated loungers surrounding a bubbling spa pool—all with views that soothe the soul.