Solo spa & city break 40th - 3hr train from London? (August)

[AlmostCutMyHairToday]

I would love to hear of any recommendations for lovely quiet spa hotels (or hotels near a good spa) within a +/- 3hr train trip from London. Staying solo, celebrating my 40th! August, so ideally somewhere not overrun with tourists / families (if that's even possible).

Ideally somewhere that's also within easy reach of an interesting city / town / village. I love art, gardens, FOOD, and swimming is a bonus. In terms of spa, I mostly like a good massage, plunge pool, sauna/steam.

Doesn't need to be UK - I think some Eurostar destinations are within easy reach.

Many thanks : )

There’s a spa next to the old Roman spa in bath, if you haven’t been

You might need city centre for train eg https://www.hyatt.com/hyatt-regency/en-US/birmi-hyatt-regency-birmingham

Malvern spa - the spa’s really nice and Malvern is a pretty place. Lots of lovely shops and the hills. The spa is on a retail park but don’t let that put you off!

I was wondering about Bath as I've never been! Do you know what the city is like in August - is it too busy with tourists / best to visit out of season?

Following as would be interested in people's suggestions OP! Sounds like a lovely plan for your birthday.

Bath is (in my experience) crammed with tourists even outside the holidays so I dread to think what the centre is like in August. I've found it very unrelaxing last few times I visited, in comparison to visits a decade or so ago!

@SundaySighing that's good to know! I definitely prefer somewhere less touristy.
Maybe I'll start with searching a nice hotel, and then see what's nearby. I've used this website before for trips abroad, didn't think to look for UK! https://www.mrandmrssmith.com/destinations/united-kingdom/hotels

Lifehouse spa in Essex is really nice www.lifehouse.co.uk/

I’d definitely avoid Bath - lovely but very touristy. The spa pools were great but the place had more of a busy leisure centre vibe than a relaxing spa one

I went to Bath on my own for my 50th. Had an amazing time. Went in October though and it wasn't that busy.

Ashdown Park Hotel Near East Grinstead or maybe The Gainsborough in Bath although I imagine the latter will have lots of tourists in August.

I'm another fan of Bath and The Gainsborough, which has its own spa in the basement as well as being a few steps from the Thermae Bath Spa. But yes, it's going to be very busy.

I have to say that most amazing spa experience I had recently was in Zurich. Swiss spas seem amazing. The one we went to was a short distance from Lake Zurich and it had a Romano-Irish spa ritual (?) and a rooftop pool. Again quite busy but you could ask about quieter times eg morning. I'll see if I can find a link. There are also spas in the Swiss mountains.

This us the one my Swiss friend took me to -
https://www.aqua-spa-resorts.ch/de/huerlimannbad-spa-zuerich

I had a spa day at the Gainsborough which was excellent and would thoroughly recommend.

Oh yes, Mr and Mrs Smith have some lovely hotels! Good shout.

Friends just stayed at this Spa hotel in Sussex and had a great time. By the seaside too.
www.hshotels.co.uk/bailiffscourt/spa

Snap! I was going to say Malvern Spa too

Harrogate...all day long. Absolutely beautiful place, you've got the classic Turkish Baths and spa hotels in the centre, such as https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/lbahadi-doubletree-harrogate-majestic-hotel-and-spa/spa/
...but if you can get a little further North there's Swinton Park and Rudding Park.

It's my happy place and I'm heading up later this year for my 50th!