THE BARN SPA, DOWN HALL HOTEL, SPA & ESTATE
The 110-acre country house hotel, spa and estate on the Essex/Hertfordshire border has expanded its wellness offering in partnership with British wellness brand Bramley.
The collaboration brings the hotel’s holistic ethos to life, with in-room amenities and exclusive spa treatments delivered solely using Bramley’s sustainable, plant-based products. The estate’s expansive grounds, including its kitchen garden, are home to many of the same plants, florals and botanicals that inspire Bramley’s own formulations, grounding the experience in its natural surroundings.
Exclusive experiences include the Rejuvenate Ritual, the Bramley Selenite Crystal Body Massage, and the Bespoke Bramley Facial. Families can also take advantage of its hypoallergenic ‘Mini Me’ treatments for younger guests between 5-16.
The Barn Spa at Down Hall is open 10am-6pm Thursday-Monday.
GLASS HOUSE WELLNESS RETREAT & SPA
New for 2026 is the ‘Modern Reset’ at this Bulphan retreat. The programme draws on Glass House Retreat’s holistic ethos, combining physical training with restorative practices and nutritional balance. It includes goal setting and performance coaching with Glass House Retreat’s expert PTs, cold water therapy and cryotherapy sessions to build resilience and aid recovery, breathwork and meditation workshops, strength and mobility training and tailored nutrition plans designed to fuel energy and performance.
Sleep optimisation techniques are also shared to improve rest and recovery.
TALBOOTH HOUSE & SPA
Offering something of a Soho House vibe, there’s a sense of privacy at Dedham’s Talbooth House & Spa that makes the whole property feel like a countryside hideaway for those in the know. The hotel blends contemporary style with a relaxed, members-club sensibility, think bold art, plush textures, and a palette that’s calm without ever feeling minimal. Social spaces are designed for lingering. There are six treatment rooms (four double, two single) but the heated outdoor pool is the undeniable centrepiece, steam rising in cooler months, shimmering blue in summer, always framed by lush greenery and serene quiet.
REVIVAL SHED
A modern community sauna situated in one of the most beautiful parts of Leigh-on-Sea, Revival Shed offers estuary views and serene surroundings.
There are two saunas – one state of the art infrared which has a capacity of three per session and a Finnish traditional sauna with a capacity of four per session. The two ice baths are set on the open decking, overlooking Leigh’s marina, and there is also a chill out area for guests to enjoy with changing rooms and showers. A session at Revival is one hour, and Revival owner Calum Butcher advises alternating between the sauna and cold plunge with 15 minutes in the sauna and 1-2 minutes in the ice bath, repeated to experience the maximum benefits.
LIFEHOUSE SPA & HOTEL
An adults-only oasis in Frinton-on-Sea, in 2026 Lifehouse will be collaborating with Frinton Links Golf Course to offer spa and golf breaks.
Designed to rejuvenate your body and calm your mind, Lifehouse has 89 bedrooms and is nestled within 12 acres of peaceful English Heritage Listed Gardens. There’s a swimming pool, thermal spa area, gym and fitness studio and a 2AA Rosette Mediterranean inspired restaurant.
A wide range of luxury treatments include healing body therapies, wellbeing consultations from resident specialists and massages from Clarins and ELEMIS.
Therapists have also been trained by the Made for Life Foundation to adapt spa treatments for anyone recovering from cancer, stress or bereavement.
ORSETT HALL SPA
A contemporary retreat situated in the Sartoria building at the heart of Orsett Hall Hotel, guests are promised state of the art facilities offering complete solitude, seclusion and serenity.
There’s a spa pool, steam room, sauna, jacuzzi as well as the treatment rooms and manicure and pedicure stations.
The 4-star hotel is perched on 12 acres of landscaped gardens in Grays, just 40 minutes outside of central London.
The Reviving Retreat – Afternoon Spa Day package starts from £105.
SAUNA IN THE WILD
Looking for a calming space to relax and unwind while enjoying the benefits of traditional, wood-fired sauna? Rochford’s Sauna in the Wild is just that. Plus there are steel ice baths to cool off in-between sauna sessions, and complimentary homemade honey salt scrubs to enhance your sauna experience.
After your session you’ll have some time to relax with hot chocolate or herbal tea. You’ll leave this little sanctuary feeling refreshed and rejuvenated in body, mind and soul.
A one hour community sauna session is £20 pp (there will only ever be a maximum of six people in a session). Private sessions, perfect for small groups, are £100 per hour.
THE ATHENAEUM CLUB
A health club and day spa located on Cherry Orchard Way (not far from Southend airport!) the Athenaeum Club is arguably one of the county’s best kept secrets.
In Ancient Greece, the word Athenaeum referred to buildings dedicated to Athena, the goddess of wisdom, and in particular to a temple in Athens where poets, philosophers, and orators gathered to read and discuss their work. This is reflected in the design of the spa. The heated indoor pool in its Roman bath-esque surrounds, and the jacuzzi-style hot baths, exude opulence – making it a real boutique retreat. The treatment rooms are atop a circular staircase and the changing rooms expansive.
REFLECTIONS
Found in the beautiful grounds of Pontlands Park, in Great Baddow, Reflections is a membership club, but day visitors are welcome to book a day pass to use the facilities. These include a heated indoor (11.5m x 5m) and outdoor swimming pool (10.5m x 5m) available all year round. Reflections’ policy dictates that the temperature of the pools remains between 28°c and 30°c.
There are two Jacuzzis, one indoors and a second, outside on the sun terrace. The outdoor jacuzzi is also run all year round, both with temperatures between 36°c and 38°c. There is also a sauna, steam room and a fitness room offering a selection of cardiovascular fitness equipment.
