Pennyhill Park Spa

Pennyhill Park is one of the largest spas in Britain and, reportedly, Europe. Visiting is the ultimate day trip from central London. Here you’ll find no fewer than eight swimming pools, three saunas and more steam rooms than I was able to count. This really is the Universal Studios of spas. 

The Pool Bar (open in summer months) serves cocktails, and there are plenty of loungers to lie out on around the 60ft outdoor pool. The indoor 80ft Ballroom pool is heated for the cooler months, and if you put your head under the water, you’ll hear music playing. There’s also an outdoor hydrotherapy pool, indoor hot tub and several outdoor Canadian hot tubs.

The thermal suite features herbal saunas (juniper was particularly good), steam rooms (the salt inhalation room is quite something), laconica, tepidarium, a mud treatment room, several foot spas, a cold plunge pool, and an ice room. Massages, facials, body treatments, manicures and pedicures take place in one of a whopping 23 treatment rooms, and the indoor bar serves slushy cocktails. 

This is really girls’ day out, so we’d recommend going with the gang. And if you want to stay over and feel you haven’t indulged enough, book into the hotel’s Michelin Star Latymer restaurant.