Top spas for getting back to nature

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.

Favourite natural spa feature

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

Yorkshire Spa Retreat, North Yorkshire

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.

Lucknam Park, Wiltshire

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.

Forest Spa at Middleton Lodge, North Yorkshire

A purpose-built retreat within the grounds of Middleton Lodge, the Forest Spa is a barn-style building flooded with natural light. Looking out across 200-acres of private grounds, it's a little world of its own with space to sit and read by the log burner or enjoy a secluded outdoor swimming pool and hot tub, a relaxation room, sauna, steam room and a relaxation room. Spend time going for a stroll in the grounds, and enjoy their highly sustainable approach to hospitality, including home grown ingredients used in the restaurant.

Favourite natural spa feature

The whole spa has an earthy sense of nature and nurturing thanks to its design and the surrounding landscape.

Swinton Estate, North Yorkshire

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

The natural pool that offers environmentally friendly, natural bathing in bio-filtered water.

St Moritz Hotel, Cornwall

A tale of two halves, the St Moritz Hotel is one of the most luxurious hotels in Cornwall, located between Rock and Polzeath. Amidst its Art Deco architecture, guests can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere and views of the Camel Estuary, but when it comes to wellbeing things get really chic and unique. For treatments, the hotel has the UK’s only Cowshed Spa outside Soho House properties, delivering therapies with botanical ingredients straight out of an English country garden. However, the spa 'facilities' feature the Wild Spa's two-hour, back-to-nature outdoor thermal therapy.

Favourite natural spa feature

The thermal therapy experience combining the invigorating effects of cold water exposure with the soothing warmth of heat on the dramatic Cornwall clifftops.