Suggestions for a fabulous spa hotel within four hours of London

[MaggieFS]

Any recommendations please? DH and I have a chance for a weekend away and with two small DC are looking for complete relaxation.

By spa, I mean with a really decent pool around which you can lounge all day (indoors!) not a windowless basement with a few treatment rooms. We're not worried about treatments but space to lounge in a nice atmosphere is a must.

Probably rural or in a town rather than fully urban.

We've been to South Lodge before and LOVE the spa, but didn't really rate the accommodation or food and have the chance to go further afield this time.

Beaverbrook near Leatherhead

www.beaverbrook.co.uk/spa/

Cowley Manor has a nice pool

Came to recommend this. It's bloody fabulous

The best spa ever IMO is nirvana spa in Berkshire (and I’ve been to a few!) But you would have to stay at a separate hotel as they’re just a spa at the moment (they do have plans to build a hotel).

Lifehouse near Frinton, Essex.

Ragdale Hall in Leicestershire

Another vote for the Cottonmill Club at Sopwell House. The spa sounds exactly what you are after.

Noooo. Not been since before Covid. Has it gone down hill? I’m gutted, I used to love it there when I lived up north!

Brimstone in the Langdale valley Lake District . Train well under 4 hrs. It’s lush
www.brimstonehotel.co.uk

Eek. Don't tempt me to fly to Scotland. I love the highlands and live very close to Heathrow...

Too many drunk people.

Needs a refurb - lots of the equipment is broken/often doesn't work, solarium room door broken, steam room hasn't steamed since before the pandemic, foot spas- at least 1 always out of order , jacuzzi in the outside pool doesnt bubble well, cracked tiles.

Constant music even in the quiet spaces.

But mainly the excessive drinking.

I thought I was pretty open to it being an expensive trip, but Limewood is a whole new level

Thanks for all of the suggestions, I'm working my way through

Another vote for Ragdale

Pennyhill Park or as odd as it sounds, Aqua Sana at Woburn Center Parcs.

One of my favourites.

PennyHill Park

Personally I didn’t enjoy Pennyhill Park. Lots of pools (which were great) but it had a charmless new build vibe to the architecture.

Another vote for Chewton Glen, worth every penny. Food is incredible too, as are the rooms and service

Baliffiscourt is the sister hotel to Ockenden Manor and is really lovely. More of an indoor/outdoor pool than a full spa though maybe. Beautiful spot near Arundel:-

www.hshotels.co.uk/bailiffscourt

Friend went to the Buxton one in the crescent recently and said it was the best she’d ever been to.

I’m a bit put off the Club at Cottonmill by its marketing as an elite private members club. Does it have a good atmosphere?

Yes The Scarlet in Cornwall is lovely but it might be too far. Rowhill Grange in Wilmington Kent.

Hoar Cross Hall is lovely

Another vote for The Newt (Somerset).

We quite like Wyboston Lake or Whittlebury Hall.
However big vote for the one at Center Parcs!