North Yorkshire forest spa that is 'height of sophistication' named best in the region

Middleton Lodge in Richmond
-Credit: (Image: CECELINA TORNBERG)


A North Yorkshire getaway is celebrating being voted the top spa in the region.

Middleton Lodge Estate in North Yorkshire has today been named the best spa in North and North-east England by The Times and Sunday Times 50 Best UK spas guide. This week, the guide has hailed Middleton Lodge as one of the very best.

Nestled within a Georgian country estate, surrounded by 200 acres of majestic beech and timeless oak trees, the judges praised the spa's "gimmick-free treatments" and its “award-winning chefs who offer Michelin Green star dining". The guide describes Middleton Lodge as the "height of sophistication, ensuring a stay glides gracefully into champion territory."

The Times' review of the estate said: "Middleton Lodge feels like Yorkshire’s best-kept secret. The forest spa — set inside honey-hued stone walls — is the main pull, with a heated outdoor pool, sunken hot tub and a string of shepherds' huts where massages incorporate natural products and relaxation rooms are warmed by log-burners.

"Michelin-worthy meals can be tucked into at the Forge, with an estate-to-plate ethos and hearty dishes that show off fruit and vegetables plucked from the grounds and the best cuts of meat selected by local farmers. Rooms are spread across the former dairy, coach house and walled gardens that give off a country farmhouse feel with exposed beams, stone walls and, in some, glorious outdoor tin hot tubs."

Middleton Lodge Estate Spa
Middleton Lodge Estate Spa -Credit:Middleton Lodge Estate Spa
The estate is set in 200 acres of trees
The estate is set in 200 acres of trees -Credit:The Times

The new guide to the country's best spas highlights the growing trend towards wellness and self-care in the UK.

Susan d’Arcy, Hotel and Spa Expert at The Times and Sunday Times, said: "With the UK spa scene in such robust health, it's the perfect time for us to launch a guide to the best places to experience it. Obviously, excellent treatments, knowledgeable therapists and results-driven skincare ranges are the non-negotiables for inclusion but we've also prioritised thoughtful design, comprehensive facilities and inventive health-focused cuisine."

The guide divides the UK into ten regions: London, Southeast, Southwest, Central, East, Northwest, North and Northeast, Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. With spa writers travelling from the Scottish Highlands to the coasts of Cornwall, there’s something for every taste, budget, and location. It's available from Monday, September 30 via an interactive online platform and as a special supplement on Sunday, October 6.

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