Heckfield Place Has A New Luxury Spa That’s Worth Traveling For

When the highly anticipated Heckfield Place finally opened its doors in 2018 after being delayed for nearly three years, the bucolic estate in Hampshire quickly became recognized as one of the finest countryside escapes in England, if not the world. Resting on 438 acres of rolling hills and biodynamic farmland that informs the property’s sustainable and, at times, zero-waste, food and beverage program, Heckfield Place is any foodie’s dream. But in addition to its exceptional culinary offerings, individually designed accommodations welcome guests into chic, home-like spaces, while the amicable staff ensures that you have a memorable experience. And as of earlier this month, a long-awaited evolution of the Little Bothy spa has made it better than ever.

Just like the hotel, the Bothy by Wildsmith has been well worth the wait. A true sanctuary, the 17,000-square-foot space is open to guests over the age of 16. Once you step in, you’ll be greeted with a symphony of birdsong recorded on the estate’s woodlands during lockdown. Shoes are immediately removed and phones are stored away, the latter of which is meant to help you disconnect and fully immerse yourself in the present.

On the ground floor you’ll find a pair of fitness rooms for core and cardio; a movement studio with a terrace where daily classes are held; and the pièce de résistance, an awe-inducing pool area—complete with a sauna, steam room, experiential shower, and outdoor hot tub—that’s naturally lit by floor-to-ceiling windows and a skylight suspended above the chlorine-free oasis. And with just a dozen loungers, the team limits the number of visitors throughout the day, creating an intimate and relaxing ambiance.

Once you descend the spiral staircase, dark hallways instantly shift the mood and help quiet the mind. It’s here that you’ll be whisked away to one of six treatment rooms—or to the window-lined Sitting Room if you’ve opted for a hand or foot treatment—where an expert therapist awaits. Treatments range from massages to reflexology, all paired with Wildsmith Skin products made exclusively for the Bothy using ingredients cultivated from Heckfield’s grounds, while some of the more unique offerings with “master practitioners” include myofascial release and craniosacral therapy.

Afterwards, you’ll be led to a lounge aglow with candlelight to sink into a plush, oversize Axel Vervoordt lounger with a cup of herbal tea in hand. But before you leave the Bothy, make sure to head over to the indoor-outdoor Sun Room for delectable plant-based dishes by Heckfield Place’s culinary director, Skye Gyngell.

Later this year the team will introduce multi-day retreats, but for now, guests are invited to partake in a myriad of indoor and outdoor activities such as sauna medicine, cold plunges, and forest bathing to complement their spa treatments. And if you want to take a piece of the Bothy home, the curated shop sells Wildsmith products, ceramics, and, most importantly, the ultra-soft Ploh robes found in the locker rooms.