The healing power of being beside the coast is well proven. Alex Green rounds up some of the best coastal wellness breaks and spots to drink in a little Vitamin Sea.
Surf’s Up
Let the waves wash over you at Saunton Sands Hotel’s relatively new spa. Venture out from the comfort of your hotel room and the luxe indoor pool to enjoy a spot of yoga on the lawn overlooking the sea and three miles of golden sands backed by a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. If that’s not enough, you could get the adrenalin pumping riding the waves of this top surf spot, one of 12 World Surfing Reserves. sauntonsands.co.uk
In the saddle
Explore the north Ayrshire coast and countryside on two wheels and enjoy the thrill of the ride with breathtaking views over the Firth of Clyde towards the Isle of Arran and Ailsa Craig. Coastal wellness breaks at the Gailes Hotel & Spa near Irvine on the west coast of Scotland has introduced a cycle hire service with a choice of recommended routes along the National Cycle Network, ranging from two to 22 miles.
A choice of hybrid and electric bikes enable you to experience effortless pedalling along traffic-free tracks that take in the South Ayrshire towns of Barassie, Troon, Prestwick and Ayr. All routes are mostly flat and suitable for beginners through to more experienced cyclists. At the end of the day, soothe tired muscles in the Thermal Suite followed by a marine-inspired spa treatment. gaileshotel.com/leisure/bike-hire
Elemental power
On the north coast of Cornwall, dramatic clifftops tower above powerful Atlantic waves that crash into the rocks below. This wild and rugged landscape has been shaped by the elemental power of the ocean and it’s the Ayurvedic principles of the five elements that the eco-inspired Scarlet Hotel has based its coastal wellness breaks upon.
Whole body treatments bespoke to you are designed to promote deep relaxation and inner healing. Combine this with a 30-minute clifftop hot tub session, a trip to the hotel’s heated rhassoul chamber and a room with a sea view, and you’ll leave feeling reborn. scarlethotel.co.uk
Rock ’n’ roll coast
Beachside cool doesn’t get much cooler than Rockwater at Branksome Chine Beach, nestled on the Dorset coastline, on a stunning golden Blue Flag beach. Combining daily fitness classes, yoga, sea swims, wellbeing workshops and sauna sessions, with great food from Michelin-trained chefs and regular live music events, the vibe is mindful with a good dose of high-energy entertainment rolled into one.
Accommodation in one of Sandbanks luxurious apartments is just a stone’s throw along the beach. rockwater.uk/village/
Soaring spirits
A spring-fed heated indoor saltwater pool at Soar Mill Cove Hotel on the south Devon coast will ensure that the natural benefits of the ocean can be enjoyed, whatever the weather. And there’s never a dull day exploring this stretch of the South West Coast Path, where undulating lush green fields peppered with golden gorse and rugged clifftops, descend to sheltered sandy coves. Seabirds soar overhead and kestrels dive before your eyes.
The Discovery Spa is open all year round, while dedicated wellness days incorporate instructor-led sessions with experienced fitness and lifestyle coaches. soarmillcove.co.uk
Drift away
Go with the flow on the coast of Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands with 30 beaches spanning 48 miles of coastline. Drift Retreat provides the perfect coastal wellness breaks package to rebalance and recharge, based on the west coast of the island in an historic Jersey Heritage Tower and surrounded by five miles of National Park pristine beach.
Combine yoga, surfing, paddleboarding, meditation and sound baths, with organic vegetarian meals that use ingredients sourced locally. Menus are designed by SCOOP (the Sustainable Co-operative) to support local food systems and minimise waste for the ultimate feel-good factor. driftretreat.co.uk
Top places to dive around the UK coast
Comforting Cove
Tucked away on the west coast of Cornwall, Carbis Bay is a sheltered cove nestled between sand dunes and St Ives with views out towards Godrevy lighthouse and the headland beyond. Virginia Woolf based her novel To the Lighthouse on this view and with a choice of apartments and luxury rooms provided by the Carbis Bay Hotel, a room of one’s own is guaranteed for complete comfort.
Their Coastal Wellness Retreats combine activities, from yoga overlooking the bay to guided sea swims, with indulgent spa treatments to recharge the mind, energise the body and replenish the soul. carbisbayhotel.co.uk
Some like it hot
Escape to the Isle of Wight and get totally immersed in the mobile wood-fired sauna experience provided by Rob and Josie da Bank, with the Slomo Sauna. What began as a wellness experiment in a field at Bestival, their island music festival, in 2018, has evolved into a community embracing the blended benefits of yoga, meditation, ice baths, saunas, fire pits and chanting. You can find their pop-up sauna and wellness breaks at various locations throughout the year. slomo.me
Coastal chic
Wellness gets personal at Chapel House in Penzance on the south coast of Cornwall, where bespoke packages cater for your individual needs. Stay in one of the contemporary suites in this Georgian townhouse, with majestic views over Mounts Bay and St Michael’s Mount.
Daily sunrise sea swims in the harbour come complete with DryRobe and hot flask of tea or coffee to keep warm after your cold-water immersion. And you can take the plunge with a geothermal session in the Jubilee Pool – a seawater lido that harks back to the golden age of travel. Spa treatments, hot tub and sauna complete the package. chapelhousepz.co.uk/wellness
Space to breathe
The rugged cliffs and pebble beach at Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters provide the iconic backdrop to this energy boosting break. Stride out on the South Downs Way for an invigorating walk with breathtaking views of the coast and countryside before immersing your whole self in a relaxing sea therapy spa at The Relais Cooden Beach.
Using ingredients sourced from its own private beach, its’ signature seaweed leaf body wrap is a must. Or try the Lava Shell heated massage and Deep-Sea Soother Facial to feel fully revitalized. therelaiscoodenbeach.com/
Vitamin Sea
Cold water swimming is not for the faint hearted, least of all in the North Sea. But don’t let that put you off. CBK adventures has developed the Ice Dip Social, which involves a trained instructor who talks you through the benefits it will have for your mind and body. Once you’ve taken the plunge, you’ll be led into a therapeutic Finnish tent sauna and a group relaxation space on the beach. By the end of the day you’ll have surprised yourself and others with your bravery and emerged feeling a great sense of renewal. cbkadventures.co.uk/experiences/ice-dip-social
