Thermal springs offer the chance to bathe in mineral-rich, naturally warm waters. While they can be found all over the world, there are some exceptional spa resorts in the United Kingdom that all travellers should explore.
You may not experience a medical miracle, but taking the waters in hot springs at Bath and UK destinations like Buxton is a magical experience. At modern spa hotels, guests can be pampered and enjoy pure peace of mind. And there are other places where you can explore the history of hot springs, while exploring museums and sublime landscapes.
Whether you want to totally zone out or spend a busy holiday in a UK beauty spot, hot springs can be the ideal option. So let’s take a look at 10 of the best hot springs in the UK to help you make a decision.
Bath, Avon
The granddaddy of hot springs in the UK, Bath has been attracting health seekers for thousands of years. The Romans called the town Aquae Sulis, meaning “waters of Sulis” – an even more ancient British god of healing springs. And ever since, the hot springs of Bath have made the town a go-to spot for relaxing breaks and rejuvenation. These days, Bath is home to a surprisingly diverse range of springs. The King’s Spring in the Roman Bath Museum measures around 35°C, there’s the mineral rich Hetling Spring which is slightly cooler at 33.5°C, and the open-air Cross Bath Spring. Settings vary as well – but don’t miss the 12th century surroundings at King’s Spring – where bathing feels like stepping back to the medieval era.
Buxton, Derbyshire
Located in Derbyshire’s Peak District, Buxton also boasts a spa history dating back to Roman times and beyond. The thermal waters of the town are known for their beautiful light blue colour and constant temperature of 28°C, and they have long had a reputation for curing rheumatism. That attracted Mary Queen of Scots in the 16th century, and helped to make Buxton a site of health pilgrimages from the 1700s onwards. Take the waters for yourself in the surroundings of the Georgian Crescent and the Pavilion Gardens, which also hosts galleries, ice cream parlours, and 23 acres of gorgeous gardens. If you’re feeling run down, it’s the perfect place to visit.
Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire
Situated on the Worcestershire plain, not far from Birmingham, Droitwich is probably the leading hot spring spa in the Midlands. The geology of the area includes major rock salt deposits, which create waters that are 30% more concentrated than sea water. And from the 19th century onwards, these waters have been a popular cure for fatigue and diseases – earning a Royal endorsement in 1836. Ever since, Droitwich has been a popular spot for easing muscular pains (and was well-frequented by sportsmen in the early 20th century). It combines easy access to the Malvern Hills and Birmingham with stately Victorian architecture to deliver a relaxing experience that anyone seeking thermal springs in the UK will love.
Matlock, Derbyshire
Another much-loved Peak District spa, Matlock is a charming small town that combines stunning scenery with relaxing baths. It doesn’t have a huge selection of spa hotels, but mainstays like the New Bath Hotel are as comfortable as they come. Splash around and bathe in thermal spring fed pools, and mix up therapeutic immersion with facials and massage, before hitting the footpaths to explore one of England’s great hiking regions. Or stay local and catch cable cars to the Heights of Abraham park, descend into abandoned lead mines, or shop for boutique textiles at Masson’s Mills.
Epsom, Surrey
Not all of the best natural hot springs in the UK are close to international airports and the capital, but Epsom certainly is. Famous for its race course which hosts the Derby, Epsom is also the home of several thermal springs. In fact, the town was one of the first spa resorts in the country, having attracted health seekers from London since 1618 when a local farmer discovered a salty spring. The salts from the spring became famous as Epsom Salts which became a popular remedy for everything from sun burn to arthritis. Numerous spa hotels offer access to the salty waters, mixing hot spring baths with luxury spa treatments – and all within an hour of central London.
Stobo Castle, Scotland
While there aren’t too many hot springs in Scotland, you won’t be disappointed with Stobo Castle. It is certainly a possibility and is among the UK’s most appealing spa destinations. Located near the town of Peebles in the Borders region, Stobo offers spring fed ozone pools, steam rooms infused with essential oils, hot tubs lit by flaming torches, and acres of stunning gardens. The surrounding area isn’t too shabby either, with attractions like Neidpath Castle and the sublime arrangements in Kailzie Gardens, S so you can mix up romantic spa retreats with historical sightseeing.
Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A lot of the hot springs in England have earned Royal backing over the years, but few wear that approval as proudly as Royal Tunbridge Wells. This elegant spa town is built around the Chalybeate Spring where the waters have a characteristic orange tinge – the product of iron deposits. From the 1600s, English nobles would drink and bathe in the Chalybeate waters, often to recover from excessive eating and drinking. Nowadays, elite spa hotels use the local waters to deliver therapeutic treatments, but you can still see the original spring in the Pantiles – the town’s historic core. Try a sip and shop at craft markets, grab a bite at Michelin-starred eateries, and return for pampering at an exceptional hot spring hotel.
Llandrindod Wells, Wales
If you’re staying in Wales and wondering how to find a hot spring near me, look no further than Llandrindod Wells. Located in the county of Powys, Llandrindod has been known as a medicinal spa since a local woman treated her daughter for head ulcers in 1736. After a mid-Victorian heyday, the town lost popularity but the thermal springs remained. Now, several local hotels have started to tap the iron and sulphur rich springs, which are popular with eczema sufferers. And even if you don’t stay in a spa retreat, you can bottle some spring water from a free natural hot springs fountain in the Rock Park Pump Room.
Dorton Spa, Buckinghamshire
Dorton is different. Instead of a luxury spa town with hotels and high-end eateries, this chalybeate spring is located on an expansive estate in the woods of Buckinghamshire. For a few decades in the 18th and 19th centuries, entrepreneurs tried to raise Dorton to the first rank of British hot springs. But when Queen Victoria opted for Tunbridge, visitors evaporated. Now, the thermal waters remain along with atmospheric remains of the pump house. If you’re interested in the history of hot springs in the UK, it’s a fascinating counterpoint to the hot springs of Bath or Buxton.
Knaresborough, Yorkshire
Knaresborough is a major spa destination in northern England on the River Nidd, and while it can’t rival the hot springs of Bath, it has plenty to offer travellers who want a diverse range of attractions during relaxing escapes. Local hotels make use of the area’s salt-rich thermal waters, but the real magic lies in the so-called Petrifying Well. Because of the salt content of the water, anything left in this cave acquires a stone-like exterior, and visitors can see artefacts like John Wayne’s hat hanging in petrified form. Not something you’ll see at other hot springs hotel destinations in the UK.
