Loch and awe in the Highlands

Last Easter, to escape the hustle and bustle and stresses of daily life, my partner and I took a few days’ trip to stay in the Highlands of Scotland. At Portsonachan Hotel (doubles from £106 a night B&B) overlooking the aptly named Loch Awe – the longest freshwater loch in Scotland – we found we could mentally and physically unwind. As the mist cleared over the loch each morning, stunning views emerged, creating what my partner would refer to as a “soul spa”. With our holidays usually jam-packed with activities, it was refreshing to change gear and just take relaxing woodland walks amid nature and to recharge the batteries whenever we felt like it.
Greg Marshall

Bathing – in a forest and in a tub, Wye Valley

Last summer my family and I visited Forest Retreats, near Tintern, overlooking the Wye valley, for three nights’ glamping in one of its luxury yurts. We had an amazing time, relaxing in the outdoor eco spa and taking part in a yoga class. It is a beautiful setting that is a superb base for forest bathing too, but mostly it’s just a really calming place to spend some time in the outdoors.
Jo Grim

Swimming and nature near York

The seasonal Elements mini retreats hosted near York by Laura Fazio were a real highlight of 2023 for me. The retreats combine yoga, breath work, wild swimming and a campfire brunch followed by a guided meditation. The riverside location is perfect for appreciating nature – I’ll always remember spotting the electric blue streak of a kingfisher after a rather splendid dip. I leave feeling so rejuvenated and full of gratitude.
Fern

Under the bridge, Bristol

You don’t need to spend money for meditation and relaxation. Personally, I like to walk through the forest under the Clifton Suspension Bridge and sit on a rock and meditate. It’s the best therapy out there!
Zoe

Bliss in Essex

It was a real pleasure to stay at the Glass House (rooms from £240 per person per night) retreat in Essex, in the countryside near Upminster. I enjoyed yoga, walks, swimming and meditation, and brilliant, rich facials, which left my skin glowing. The purpose-built modern spa also offers cryotherapy in its cold therapy chamber, though I didn’t try it. The place offers lovely plant-based food, full of good greens. Best of all, the staff were so helpful and friendly.
Caroline G

Winning tip: cabin solitude in the Scottish Borders

I searched online at Airbnb and booked a stunning and simple log cabin on the edge of the pretty hamlet of Abbey Saint Bathans, in the Scottish Borders, about 40 minutes’ drive from Berwick-upon-Tweed. It felt remarkably remote and peaceful with gorgeous walks on the doorstep, with a mix of forests, hills, meadows, crystal clear rivers clean enough for a dip, and a beautifully simple yet comfortable space for one or two people to unplug and relax. The cabin is big enough for a yoga mat, as is the outside terrace. We went for a break in 2022 there, and for tranquillity and peace nowhere else has come close.
Bethan