Spa inspiration for getting back to nature: from swim ponds to woodland bathing

A reed-filtered swim pond at South Lodge

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.

Favourite natural spa feature

The natural wild swimming pond, surrounded by a hidden rockery, wildflower meadow and a sun deck, which 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.

A swimming pond filtered by plants at Yorkshire Spa Retreat

A brand new spa destination in the North Yorkshire countryside, 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.

Favourite natural spa feature

The natural swim pond, which is filtered and purified biologically by water plants and a specialist filtration system, so it feels like a chilled mountain lake.

A pool with arboretum views at Lucknam Park

A spectacularly luxurious country house hotel and spa, everything at Lucknam Park is exceptional. It's surrounded by 500 acres of grounds near Bath and has a legendary Michelin starred restaurant. The spa itself takes in the best of Cotswold countryside, from the hotel’s very own Equestrian Centre to walled gardens. Facilities include a 20-metre indoor pool, an indoor/outdoor hydrotherapy pool, a relaxation area, five thermal cabins, dry floatation and its own restaurant.

Favourite natural spa feature

An indoor/outdoor hydrotherapy pool leading to an open-air infinity pool, all with arboretum views.

A bio-filtered natural pool at Swinton Estate

This spectacular, historic estate is a playground for luxury, wellbeing and outdoorsiness. A 20,000-acre estate with a luxury castle hotel, the ancestral seat of the Earl of Swinton stretches from the River Ure in Wensleydale up onto the moors and gives you a chance to enjoy everything from an award-winning restaurant to boot camps, mindfulness walks, running, hiking and country pursuits. Amidst woodland and lakes populated by fallow deer, the spa has both indoor and outdoor facilities. Inside, there's an 18-metre lap pool surrounded by glass and with a choice of massage features, a classic steam room, an aroma steam room using seasonal natural fragrances and a Finnish sauna. Outside, an alfresco sauna and shower as well as a 10-metre natural pool. That's before you get to the restaurant serving home grown produce, the treatment rooms and zoned relaxation rooms.

Favourite natural spa feature

A 10-metre outdoor natural pool that offers environmentally friendly, natural bathing in bio-filtered water.

Wood-fired, eco-friendly riverside hot tubs at Galgorm

Famously beautiful and renowned for offering an exquisite spa experience, Galgorm boasts more than 15 spa experiences within its Thermal Village. The spectacular River Maine flows through the 163-acre estate, undulating under the River House - a dedicated space for classes, which sits on stilts over the water. Taking full advantage of both indoor and outdoor spaces, the four-star hotel (complete with four restaurants), is the height of luxury but also enables you to reconnect with the natural world. Outdoor hot tubs with waterfall views, spaces with unending views of the gardens, and not to forget their unique 'Beltane Experience' where you relax around a sunken fire with friends before enjoying a dip in the 12 person hot tub.

Favourite natural spa feature

The Riverside Garden is just one part of the Thermal Village, inviting you to relax in a suite of outdoor pools, hot tubs, The Salt Cave, Elements and the Celtic Sauna on the banks of the tranquil River Maine. As part of it, you can opt to bathe outdoors in their award-winning, wood-fired, eco-friendly Riverside Tubs or Alpine Garden Tubs for two.

Bathing in mineral rich waters at The Buxton Crescent Hotel

The Buxton Crescent Hotel sits on an elegant Georgian crescent in a town famous for its healing thermal waters. The location has been the go-to destination for wellness for 200 years, and now it combines five-star hospitality with an exceptional spa that hinges on a spectacular thermal experience. Wellbeing facilities include a bio-thermal sauna, CO2 mineral bath, an infrared sauna, Finnish sauna, multiple steam rooms, and a suite of pools - not least a rooftop pool.

Favourite natural spa feature

The thermal pool, which has mineral rich water flowing into it, heated and left chemically untreated, all under a stained glass canopy.

A natural aquifer at Rudding Park

Rudding Park is a haven of luxury and wellbeing, from the award-winning hotel to a purpose-built spa set over multiple floors, including a rooftop spa garden. You'll need all day to use all the facilities, which range from the swimming pool to rooftop spa cabanas, a copper bath, outdoor hot tub and spa experiences that use natural spring water from the grounds.

Favourite natural spa feature

Two private fresh water tubs filled with water from the Rudding Park aquifer, rich in magnesium, calcium and sodium and with no added chemicals. You can add to the experience by placing a Magnesium Mineral ‘Bomb’ into the water while you self-apply a Moorish mud mask to your face.