We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

For Londoners in need of a reset, these are the best spa hotels outside London

The capital has lots of amazing spas, but for when an urban backdrop just won’t do, these are our favourite spa hotels near London.

For those days when the city gets a little too much, you’ll want to escape – and luckily you don’t have to travel far to find a soothing spa hotel outside of London.

Bringing you some of the UK's best luxury spa hotels, the likes of Surrey, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Sussex offer idyllic surroundings for you to indulge in some well-deserved R&R.

Swap concrete and traffic for bucolic grounds, outdoor pools in lovely gardens and treatments that use herbs and botanicals picked straight from kitchen gardens.

Whether you want to nip to Berkshire for an Oskia facial and an outdoor swim at Cliveden House (just a half-hour train to Slough, followed by a short taxi ride), or call in at Coworth Park, near Ascot, for a hi-tech treatment in a space-age spa suite, relaxation is in reach.

As an added treat, many are close to official Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, including Hartwell House, near the Chilterns, and Alexander House, just south of the Surrey Hills, and Ockenden Manor, close to the South Downs.

If you’re in need of a little pampering, book in at one of these spa hotels near London for the ultimate spa break…

A little over an hour away from the capital by car (it’s just north of Windsor), Cliveden House has an extensive treatment list at its impressive spa, which includes rejuvenating facials by British brand Oskia. The spa hosts regular residencies to introduce visitors to the best new brands – the latest partnership is with CBD experts Oto. There’s a heated outdoor pool that may have a scandalous history (for its part in the Profumo affair), but is also just a lovely place for a swim – plus it’s warmed to British-weather-proof temperatures

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Four Seasons outpost in Hampshire has a super spa, since many of the brand’s luxury hotels prioritise pampering – at this estate near Basingstoke and Hook, the spa has taken over the stables and the treatments change with the (four) seasons.

The rural retreat has a huge 500 acres of its own, spanning a shooting field, lake and lawn, along with a zip-line and, of course, the Georgian manor in the middle. Other spa facilities include a resident hypnotherapist, a lengthy indoor pool and a studio that leads out to the gardens.

This Berkshire estate may be a hit with equestrians (its 240 acres include polo fields and stables), but it’s a great choice for spa seekers, too. It’s doable in a day trip from the capital, since the drive should take just over an hour, but there’s lots to stay behind for, namely: walks in the wildflower meadows, fireside drinks and dinner overlooking the terraced gardens on the Drawing Room’s heated patio.

At the spa, you’ll be able to enjoy treatments by super-brands including Valmont, Scotland-made (and seaweed-enhanced) Ishga and Germaine de Capuccini.

So close to London that it’s almost within the M25, Sopwell House in the Hertfordshire town of St Albans is a Georgian country manor with 12 acres of grounds. The quaintly named Cottonmill Spa is as picturesque as you’d hope, with a vast indoor pool, fire-pits to warm up beside outside and gardens to relax in after your treatment. Unique rituals on offer include Sound & Sand: you’ll lie on a tilting quartz bed and listen to singing bowls before a back, leg and foot massage.

At the end of your spa day, you can stay over in one of the Mews Suites, after drinks in the conservatory bar and dinner in the brasserie.

Also within easy reach of the capital is Hartwell House, a listed manor 40 miles away, though the Vale of Aylesbury setting will ensure it feels even further. The Jacobean and Georgian house is on the edge of the Chilterns AONB and has 90 acres of gardens and parkland of its own.

At the spa, there’s a swimming pool, sauna, steam room and spa bath, and you’ll be able to use the outdoor tennis courts and gym, too. Treatments include Aromatherapy Associates facials, all of which include both a scalp massage. The spa has a café with a terrace for when it’s warm enough.

An hour’s drive south-west of London, Foxhills has an easily accessible location in the Surrey town of Chertsey, along with a championship golf course, tennis courts and three restaurants for overnight guests to choose between.

At the spa, you can enjoy classes in the yoga cabin, swims in one of the five pools (including a chemical-free natural pool in the spa garden) and spells in the hot tub or Finnish saunas. The treatment list covers DIY hammams, Elemis facials, salt scrubs, acupuncture and full-body shea, honey and rasul clay masks.

A grand Jacobean manor in the West Sussex countryside, Alexander House is just south of the Surrey Hills and roughly a 90-minute drive from London. Along with turrets and towers, the red-brick retreat has 120 acres of grounds, a colonnaded pool and outhouse rooms with easy access to woodland walks that are ideal for dog owners. There’s a pet-friendly lounge to warm up by the fire afterwards, plus afternoon tea for dogs (yes, with tiered bowls).

At the aptly named Utopia Spa, there’s a barrel sauna and hot tub outside, a nail bar and relaxation rooms for post-treatment naps. Signature rituals include an 85-minute massage and anti-ageing Oskia facial, and a face, scalp and shoulder treatment, also using Oskia’s excellent products.

Ockenden Manor is close to the South Downs, which is one of just six Dark Sky Reserves in the UK – and the hotel’s surroundings are put to good use in its regular Full Moon & Fabulous retreats, where guests can learn the art of forest bathing and meditation. The two-night stays also include yoga, a spa treatment and an hour in the I-Sopod floatation tank, in case you weren’t feeling relaxed enough.

The spa, set within a 19th-century walled garden, has an indoor-outdoor pool, eight treatment rooms and a rainforest shower fed by the hotel’s own spring. The journey south should take an hour and 45 minutes.

The furthest away from London in our list, but well worth the two-hour drive, Lucknam Park has 500 acres of private parkland, as well as a superb spa. The Wiltshire estate is 25 minutes by car from Bath (where there are, of course, more famous spas). A grand Palladian mansion sits at the bottom of the lengthy tree-lined avenue and there’s a spa in the walled garden.

You’ll be able to book Espa treatments, sign up for yoga classes and enjoy the indoor-outdoor pool – and it’s definitely worth hanging around for dinner at the Michelin-starred Restaurant Hywel Jones.

Just an hour’s drive up the M1 away, Luton Hoo is the quintessential English country club in bucolic Bedfordshire, with a spa in its former stables. The oak-framed building includes a heat-therapy suite, a gym and an infinity pool. Outdoors, there are tennis courts, jogging trails and terraces to relax on.

You’ll be able to book a firming Espa facial, salt and oil scrubs, a hot-stone massage or a marine-mud body wrap – with an elegant afternoon tea in one of the opulent lounges to look forward to afterwards.