To wonder where I can go for a 3-4 day break?

[FairTurtle]

I haven't been on holiday - either abroad or within the UK - for about 4 years. Long story short, I developed a pretty major disability (Long COVID) in 2022, which has completely changed my life. I'm at a point now where I can do a bit more, and just feel sad at all the fun times I could have had, had I not gotten sick. I'd like to go away - just solo - for a few days, but my definition of "away" has hugely changed.

I live in London. I'd happily sit on the train for an hour or so to get somewhere, but not much more. I keep looking at spa breaks and hotels etc, but don't really understand how they work, and the ones within London are extremely expensive. But I can't really go too further afield either.

Honestly, I just want to sit in a nice hotel, or some nice surroundings for a few days, without any pressure. All the "health retreat" type stuff I've seen is mostly geared around walking/exercising/yoga classes, all of which I still can't really do because of my health.

Any ideas? Thanks so much <3

Which side of London are you in OP?

Lythe Hill Hotel and Spa in Haslemere- fits your bill perfectly!

West!

Spa breaks tend to be either day trip, which is access to the facilities (pool, sauna, steam room etc depending on the spa) and usually either a lunch or afternoon tea. Many will also include a treatment, but most will be extra.

You also get overnight breaks or longer residentials, where you stay, eat your meals, have access to the facilities and pay for any additional treatments. Larger places will have quite rooms or places comfortable to read. Totally dependent on the spa itself.

You've said that the London ones are expensive, but without an idea of your budget it's hard to help.

If you just want to go somewhere nice and be away - what is nice to you? Rolling fields, seaside, town, city?

I would probably think about getting out in nature OP. Not for walking and hiking obviously but perhaps a small hut or caravan or similar, somewhere with facilities and places to eat nearby but where you can spend your days sitting out in nature with a good book maybe?? Being out in nature is so restorative, even if you can’t move around in it. Sorry if that’s not helpful, may be projecting as that would be my ideal getaway! Preferably away from people 😂

Thank you! Just had a look and it seems fairly easy to get to from London. Do you know if there's Uber in Haslemere?

Just had a look at the website though and it looks like they're not doing any spa breaks at the moment - just spa days?

This honestly sounds so perfect! But, without the ability to hike/walk much uphill (seriously, we're talking 15 mins max), I haven't been able to find somewhere suitable? Somewhere with beautiful scenic surroundings where I don't have to move or walk much, easy access to facilities, not completely remote (I get anxiety), and the ability to come back home quickly if needed. 😂

Let me know if you think of anything though!

You could have a look at Cotswold water park. It's a huge area of lakes and has a hotel and some self catering places.

Shortish taxi ride from Kemble station (which is about an hour direct from Paddington).

So sorry to hear you have had a tough time. A change of scenery somewhere sounds lovely!

Places you could easily get to by train from London and which have plenty of nice cafes/people watching/good hotels with either nice roll top baths in rooms OR spa facilities in the centre or a short cab away would be:

Oxford
Cheltenham
Bath
Brighton
Rye
Cambridge
Bristol

It is also worth checking out Champneys Spa in Tring - train from Euston.

The Grove Hotel just outside St Albans is supposed to be good too.

More leftfield… The Center Parcs spa is good too - maybe explore a Woburn mini break? The land train will mean you don’t have to walk loads and being in the forest would be a change of scene and pace from London. Maybe give them a call to speak to their accessibility team.

Enjoy yourself, take care and good luck!

I was going to suggest Brighton or the New Forest

What about a trip to Winchester? Train from Waterloo is an hour. Taxi to the centre of town is cheap (£10). Stay in the Hotel Du Vin or The Old Vine.

So much within 5 mins walk. You can sit in the bar or local cafes all day and people watch for a change of scene.

The problem with a spa is so much is expected of you (in my experience).

I've just been on a spa break with them it was lovely and included dinner and breakfast as well as 1 treatment. Yes they have uber and normal taxi ranks. Here is their link for spa breaks:

https://www.spabreaks.com/venues/voco-lythe-hill-hotel-and-spa#offers?utm_campaign=20507436174&utm_term=lythe%20hill%20spa%20breaks&device=m&adgroup=153609166992&matchtype=b

All great suggestions! Thank you. Champneys Spa looks really nice - but I've just looked at their "spa break" and it looks like it's just for one night only i.e. you check in at 2pm and check out the next day at 11am. I'm guessing if I called them, I could ask about a multiple day break, maybe with some kind of discount?

I think somebody asked upthread, but I can't see that you have answered. What is your budget OP?

These look good or call for longer than 2 nights. Enjoy whatever you do!

Brighton is under an hour from Victoria. The leonardo waterfront hotel has a nice pool and spa and a relaxing lobby. I loved the sauna too. Everything is on your doorstep. The Lanes with shops and cafes. Or the beach and pier on the other side of the hotel. Very easy to do.

Sorry, just saw! It's a good question. Ideally not too much, since I need to secure my finances for a few months. For 2/3 nights (not including the travel there), anything up to £650? Is that a bit silly? Never done a spa-type break before, or indeed been away for the past few years so I might be a bit out of it...

This is a great idea! I've never actually been to Brighton. Though perhaps this is more for next summer? Or maybe it'd be equally nice in autumn/winter? Sorry, should have said - planning this within the next 2 months, so could be October/November when I go.

Thanks - sorry, where are those? I can't see on the screenshot

The link I sent you has all the breaks on - 2 nights for less than £400!

Sorry, missed this initially. This looks amazing and perfect for what I need - thank you so much!

Do you think you might manage a flight OP?

It's 2 hours to Barcelona from Heathrow, or an hour to Paris - some great deals on flights and accommodation at the moment. Or book a city break direct with a travel agent - so transfers are taken care of. Then you have the city at your feet to do as much or as little as you feel up to

Brighton, or other south coast towns are lovely in the autumn/winter. Not as crowded as in the summer, but it's great to get some sea air, and lovely flat walks along by the beach would probably suit you.

I lived in Brighton for a few years and, in my experience, October is still very warm, dry and sunny by the coast. An even better bet would be Eastbourne - apparently they have more sunny days than any other town in England. Eastbourne is also much more chilled than Brighton and has a gallery, lovely coffee shops and plenty of spas. Likely to be much cheaper than Brighton too, although Brighton is lovely and well worth a trip.

@FairTurtle where did you book?!