Katie Strick

Katie Strick moved from Australia into her London home with just three T-shirts, two pairs of shorts and a borrowed bike after delays caused by the Iran war held up her belongings

From Auckland’s Mount Eden to Wellington, here’s the ultimate seven-day guide to NZ’s smaller island

From dipping in lakes among the Southern Alps to swimming with dolphins in Kaikōura, here’s your three-week starter guide

Katie Strick When most people talk you through their highlights of a trip around New Zealand , they're probably talking about the South

If the summer in the city has you hankering for greener pastures and time to unwind in peace, where better to escape than a picturesque country spa hotel? With cosy communal living areas, Michelin-starred restaurants, and the possibility of a treatment or two, there’s nowhere better to while away a day — or a whole weekend. Fortunately for Londoners, there are plenty of charming hotels within easy reach of the capital that offer indulgent treatment menus. These are our favourite pampering spots near London — all within two hours' reach for a day trip, and less than three for a weekend of indulgence. For a day trip Fairmont Windsor Park, Berkshire An exceptional spa on the edge of Windsor Great Park. Flop between indoor and outdoor pools, thermal suites and an extremely Instagrammable Himalayan salt room. Book a session in the cocooning hammam or the more punishing — yet deeply rewarding — cryotherapy chamber. The treatment menu is an A-Z of wellness with holistic massages and rituals courtesy of exquisite essential oils brand Ground Wellbeing or results-driven facials by Natura Bissé. Dr. Raj Arora runs her The FaceBible clinic out of Fairmont too, offering everything from Botox and Profhilo to Morpheus 8 and Emsculpt. The post-treatment relaxation room is worth the trip out of London alone, with its weighted blankets and heated loungers. Time from London: 1.25 to 2 hours Spa days start from £85 per person. fairmont-windsorpark The Retreat at Elcot Park, West Berkshire You can reach the sprawling grounds of Elcot Park in under an hour and a half — and that’s just where the ticks against its name begin. Part of the boutique Signet Collection of hotels, its facade is a beautiful grade II listed 18th-century building near Newbury. As well as 55 eclectically styled bedrooms (should you choose to sleep over), it also boasts tennis courts, a gorgeous outdoor pool surrounded by chic sun loungers and a kids’ area. And not forgetting the spa — The Signet Spa, has hydrotherapy pools, treatment rooms, a sauna, gym, spin class studio and wellness area. A spa day includes either afternoon tea or lunch at the contemporary 1772 Brasserie. Time from London: 1 hour 15 minutes Spa days start from £150 per person, including a 60-minute treatment and £35 towards your meal. retreatelcotpark The Gainsborough Bath Spa, Bath The Gainsborough’s spa provides a modern twist on the city’s thermal water heritage. This spa is set beneath a glass atrium and offers several different spa days which include a welcome drink and afternoon tea. You'll have use of the gym, saunas, thermal pools and relaxation terrace and receive a personalised aromatherapy blending session. Time from London: 1hr 35 minutes Spa days start from £195 per day. thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk Coworth Park, Ascot This stunning manor house sits within a wildflower meadow in Ascot and is known for its polo fields. Though don’t miss the jewel in its crown (nor Michelin-star Woven by Adam Smith ): the tranquil spa. The oasis-like space has undergone a recent renovation and the impressive heated pool is lined with giant amethyst and plush relaxation daybeds to make lounging feel oh-so chic. There’s also a stunning new sauna, steam room and snow shower to hop between, plus a fully-equipped gym with top of the range Technogym equipment. After a blissful treatment in partnership with either Made for Life Organics, Wildsmith Skin, Natura Bissé or ishga products, you’ll be well looked after as you sit back and relax with a herbal tea in the chill room overlooking the swaying lavender outside. Day trips are very do-able, but the rooms aren’t to be missed: with sink-in four poster beds, copper baths and unbeatable views of the English countryside. Time from London: 1hr 32 minutes Spa days start from £240 for the day, the spa and dine deal is £95, with a light supper at The Drawing Room, and rooms start at £590 a night based on B&B for two. dorchestercollection The Grove Hotel, Hertfordshire The Grove Hotel is set in 300 acres of lush Hertfordshire countryside – but it’s their award-winning Sequoia spa that is the must-visit with its unique black-tiled pool, supersized jacuzzi and steam room. A stunning vaulted ceiling adds a rustic appeal to the relaxing space. Enjoy a truly personalised treatment with natural, sustainable products from either Bamford or Natura Bissé products. Time from London: 57 minutes Spa days start from £175 per day. thegrove.co.uk Hartwell House, Buckinghamshire Just 40 miles northwest of London, you can get to this luxe hotel faster than it takes most of us to commute to work. The National Trust-owned Grade I listed Jacobean and Georgian house is home to a stunning spa with a swimming pool, spa bath, steam room, sauna and treatment rooms. Time from London: 47 minutes Spa days start from £135 per day. hartwell-house Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Wiltshire With a host of luxury restorative and soothing treatments on offer, this five-star hotel is the ultimate spot to escape to and unwind. To feel blissed out, opt for the mindfulness massage, which incorporates breathing and visualisation techniques and a deeply therapeutic full body massage to promote positivity. Time from London: 1 hr 40 minutes Spa days start from £210 per day. lucknampark.co.uk For a weekend stay Estelle Manor, Cotswolds At this Oxfordshire-set members club, the action takes place in and around a Grade II-listed manor house (formerly Eynsham Hall) set within 3,000 acres of Cotswold countryside. As well as the 108 rooms, there’s five restaurants including all-day dining space The Brasserie and Chinese restaurant The Billiards Room, plus a kids’ club. Then there’s the Clubhouse, which boasts a gym, yoga studio, working space and a boutique; plus there are padel courts, and now, an epic Roman-inspired 3,000 sq m spa. This spectacular bathhouse is named Eynsham Baths, and boasts marble colonnades, five thermal baths which you can journey through within your three hour session, a sauna, breathwork pool and stunning hammam. The treatment menu leans into ancient Indian, Tibetan and Chinese traditions. Think chakra healing and ayurvedic potli massages. Expect to float out at the end of your session. Time from London: 1 hour 15 minutes Double rooms with B&B from £450, estellemanor Cowley Manor Experimental, Gloucestershire This classic country house hotel has a stunning, eclectic look courtesy of a design collaboration with Dorothée Meilichzon and De Matos Ryan. With a 300-year history it has been an inspiring destination to authors and creatives for centuries — once owned by Edward the Confessor. The award-winning C-side spa has a stunning post-modern exterior and modern interior following a renovation in 2023. Take in the serene surrounds from the indoor and outdoor heated pools and enjoy a soul-nourishing treatment using natural products from Biologique Recherché and Oskia. Unwind after in the sauna or steam rooms and don't miss the chance to try local fare at the hotel restaurant, where the team is led by renowned chef Jackson Boxer. Time from London: 2 hrs 51 minutes Rooms start from £250 per night, with spa access and breakfast included. cowleymanor Cliveden House Hotel, Berkshire You may recognise Cliveden as the hotel Meghan Markle spent the night in before she married Prince Harry, and the spa offers a menu of treatments by the Duchess of Sussex’s go-to facialist, Sarah Chapman. The devil is in the detail here – the spa even has its own scent called Nancy (after Nancy Astor) made with notes of fruit blossom, jasmine wild mint and lily. Both the indoor and outdoor pool areas are supremely Instagrammable places to relax in-between treatments, while the hot tubs in the garden can be enjoyed well into the winter. Time from London: 1hr 49 minutes Spa days start from £325 with a 60-minute treatment and lunch included, and with afternoon tea from £375 (Monday - Thursday). Rooms start from £445 per night on a bed and breakfast basis. clivedenhouse.co.uk Whatley Manor Hotel and Spa, Malmesbury Set on 12 acres of pristine Cotswolds countryside, Whatley Manor is an ideal place to escape busy London without straying too far. The honey stone spa building is the ultimate relaxation space, kitted out with an indoor and outdoor hydrotherapy pool, thermal suite and salt scrub showers. Treatments use luxurious, natural Sothys products. There’s even flotation tanks should you wish to fully escape the world! Time from London: 2 hrs Spa days start from £160 for a half day with smoothie and 90-minuute spa treatment . A one-night stay starts from £386. whatleymanor Dormy House, Cotswolds A rustic country house with a modern edge, Dormy is in the heart of the Cotswolds. Its recently refurbed indoor-outdoor Scandi-look spa spans several floors. It boasts a lavender sauna, rhassoul mud room, nail parlour, infinity pool and outdoor hot tub. Choose from relaxing float tank experiences, a CBD or top-to-toe body treatment, designed to renergise and restore your inner peace. Time from London: 2 hrs 40 minutes Spa days start from £125, hotel rooms start from £309 per night. dormyhouse.co.uk Calcot Manor, Gloucestershire In the heart of the glorious Cotswolds near Tetbury, Calcot is housed in a 14th century farmstead with 34 uniquely designed rooms. The recently updated spa has a dreamy outdoor hot tub, steam and sauna room, and offers weekend guests the chance to follow a personalised wellness programme of mindful treatments. There’s facials and massages with Comfort Zone products, as well as reiki and reflexology on offer. After your treatments, choose from a healthy snack and drinks menu from brands such as Pulsin smoothies and Dirtea. There’s also a state of the art new gym for those who love to sweat it out. The perfect place for a detox weekend. Time from London: 3 hrs Spa day packages with rooms start from £409. calcot Lime Wood Hotel, Hampshire Lime Wood Hotel is like something out of a Jane Austen novel – it’s just the place to live out your lady of the manor fantasies. In the heart of the New Forest, the Herb House Spa is inspired by its stunning surroundings and dedicated to an atmosphere of serenity. Covering three levels, there is a sauna, indoor hydro pool with forest views, a mud house and outdoor hot pool. For your spa day choose from a holistic bespoke package or extra special option including two treatments. Time from London: 1 hour 40 minutes Spa days start from £185 per person, rooms start at £495 a night. limewoodhotel.co.uk The Nici, Bournemouth Private poolside cabanas with white curtains and candy-striped parasols. Sea-view rooms with bubbling outdoor jacuzzis. Palms, pink flamingos and retro seaside posters. The style at The Nici is Miami beach club, but the vibe is laid-back and relaxed. The five-star hotel is right on the clifftop above Bournemouth Beach on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast — a perfect spot for a morning dip — and features a chic new clifftop restaurant, Old Harry Rocks, plus a subterranean spa with an 18m heated pool inside the spa, plus a hydro pool, sauna, steam room and gym as well as several treatment and relaxation rooms. Book in for a spa day or night’s stay and treat yourself to the hotel’s signature 60 or 90-minute if you’re able to drag yourself away from lounging by the pool. Pick a sunny day and you’ll feel as though you’re in the Balearics. Time from London : Two hours Spa days start from £75, rooms start at £172

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