Sustainable Travel: 3 Fantastic Spa Break Staycations In The UK

One of my biggest challenge when it comes to living more sustainably and reducing our carbon footprint is that I love travelling. I always did, this is why I lived in different countries: I just love exploring places. However, with trying to be more conscious about our carbon footprint we decided to take less short flights. We also use trains a lot more (luckily as a family we love travelling by train), even to Europe. 

And of course we take more UK holidays. Or staycations – as it’s the right buzzword to use, which I love! There are so many lovely places to discover in the UK, around where we live. I especially love going away for one night breaks during the weekend to hotels with spa facilities, either as a couple or with the children. There’s a great selection of spa break offers on Voyage Privé.

So I’ve collected my favourite places in the UK to go on a spa break – hope you’ll find some inspiration.

Cotswolds

As a Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is the second largest protected landscape in England – Cotswolds has a lot to offer. This beautiful area is also home to Cirencester, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, and Worcestershire – real English gems of towns to visit and discover. Cotswolds spa breaks offer a perfect mix of relaxation, revitalisation and fabulous scenery.

Apart from the natural beauty of this area there are a lot of pretty villages that are really worth a visit. Here’s a few:

Blockley

The golden Cotswold cottages and limestone walls punctuating the rolling hills of the surrounding countryside look like a scene from a fairytale.

Bibury

This village is one of England’s most iconic hamlets and home to the peaceful River Coln and some of the most photographed houses in the country.

Mickelton

Rumoured to be the inspiration behind Tolkien’s ‘Weathertop’ in Lord of the Rings. Also, the Three Ways House Hotel is home to the world-famous Pudding Club.

Somerset

Somerset is a rural county of rolling hills, there is an extensive network of caves, underground rivers, and gorges and many rivers. The county contains several miles wide sections of the Avon green belt area. Bath, Weston-super-Mare, Taunton, Yeovil and Bridgwater are the significant towns.

Bath

Now, Bath of course is probably the most famous spa town in the entire UK: it’s the only place in Britain where you can bathe in natural hot springs. Many hotels in Bath have their own onsite spa facilities, so there’s plenty of choice when it comes to planning your wellbeing break. Don’t miss the Thermae Bath Spa – it’s fantastic.

Weston-super-Mare

Definitely worth a trip – I love this seaside town.Don’t miss the Madeira Cove, the Lambretta Museum, The Winter Gardens Pavilion, the Helicopter Museum and of course the beach.

Yorkshire

Boasting with vast stretches of unspoiled countryside – Yorkshire is beautiful. Even the Romans noticed this! Yorkshire includes the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales National Parks, and part of the Peak District National Park. It’s a very large county, but I’ve tried to pick a few places that cannot be missed. 

Peak District

The Peak District National Park was the first national park in the United Kingdom.  It’s a paradise for nature lovers. Don’t miss the Monsal Trail, Crich Tramway Village, Poole’s Cavern, Heights of Abraham – just to mention a few, because there lots of beautiful walking, hiking and biking trails.

York

York has a lot to offer: we love the National Rail Museum there, gorgeous historic buildings, lovely pubs and of course the Shambles – not only for Harry Potter fans! With its cobbled streets and riverside walks, York is also one of the most romantic UK cities, making it perfect for a couple’s spa break.

Scarborogh 

The Yorkshire coast villages are very very pretty and Scarborough must be the prettiest (it is to me). But there are quite a few more to discover! Scarborough is the original seaside resort; stunning scenery, glorious beaches, loads to see and do. Scarborough Castle, the Rotunda Museum of geology, miniature railway and Scarborough Sea Life Sanctuary – perfect for a day out with the family.