Guide to the Best Spas in Cheltenham
There have been spas in Cheltenham since at least the 18th century.
Yes – in 1716, a curious farmer discovered a natural spring in a field near town. And before long, health-conscious holidaymakers were flocking to Cheltenham to bathe in our salty, mineral-rich waters.
Our town is still recognised as a place of rest, retreat and relaxation. But if you visit spas in Cheltenham today, you're more likely to enjoy a massage and a facial than a mineral bath.
All the better to wash away those workaday worries, we say.
Want to explore what modern Cheltenham can do for your mind, body and soul? Here are some of the best spas in one of the UK's most renowned spa towns.
The Best Spas in Cheltenham for Treatments
Tonic doesn't have the fanciest frontage or the most extravagant facilities. However, when it comes to rejuvenating treatments, it's hard to beat.
Don't just take our word for it, though. Tonic has enjoyed plenty of industry recognition, scooping TripAdvisor's Travellers' Choice Award for 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
The spa-going public has spoken: this is clearly one of the best spas in Cheltenham. And when you try its signature Divine Duo treatment, you'll know why.
Just a few doors down from Tonic, you'll find Montpellier Massage and Beauty. This unassuming salon might be on the small side – but its menu of massages, manicures and skin treatments is anything but.
If you want the best of the best, sign up for its full MOT. This package includes a relaxation session, a body brushing treatment and a full-body massage. Oh, and to top it all off, the spa throws in a bespoke facial too. Talk about great value for money.
The Best Spas in Cheltenham for Spa Days
Take a short drive south of town and you'll soon come across C-Side Spa. This historic establishment is rightfully regarded as one of the finest spas in Cheltenham – and its spa day packages are just as remarkable as its reputation.
And they're remarkably affordable too. At the time of writing, a half-day spa visit will cost you about as much as 12 premium burgers – and will be much kinder to your health and well-being.
For your investment, you'll enjoy full use of the spa, along with a tasty two-course meal and a 60-minute treatment.
Another well-regarded option is The Urban Spa. But whippersnappers beware: this municipal retreat is strictly for the over-50s.
Membership bags you free rein of its impressive spa facilities and well-equipped gym, which has been specially designed for the older and wiser. You also get free access to fitness classes and a nifty 15% discount on spa treatments. Nice.
The Best Spas in Cheltenham for Facilities
If you're looking for a bit of everything, you can't go wrong with Elan Spa.
This luxury spa is tucked away inside a 16th-century Elizabethan manor house. But don't be fooled by its antiquated appearance – Elan has all the modern facilities a chill-seeker could want. That includes a steam room, two types of sauna, two pools and a high-tech gym.
Finally, we couldn't help but include Bamford Wellness Spa.
Bamford isn't exactly on Cheltenham's doorstep – you have to drive for 40 minutes to reach it. But when you see where it is and what it has to offer, you'll instantly see why it was worth the trip.
The spa is part of Daylesford Farm: a complex of shops, eateries and facilities nestled among the grassy slopes of the Cotswolds. So, Bamford is a retreat within a retreat – a holistic haven that's as far from civilisation as you can get without booking a one-way ticket to the Mariana Trench.
Go for the rural splendour. Stay for the crystal sauna, herbal steam room and state-of-the-art hydro pool.
Historic Spas in Cheltenham
If you were hoping to take a dip in Cheltenham's historic spa waters, we'll have to disappoint you.
The old spa baths of the 18th century, which once hosted luminaries like King George II, are no longer operating. However, you can still see much of the infrastructure that helped transform Cheltenham from an unremarkable market town into a world-famous wellness retreat.
One such example is mere minutes from our boutique hotel. The Pitville Pump Room was the largest spa building in town – and is just as impressive today as it would have been nearly 200 years ago.
Other artefacts of the age include Montpellier Spa (now home to a popular brasserie), the historic town hall and the Imperial Gardens, which are renowned to this day for their impressive floral displays.
From time to time, the town hosts spa water open days where you can actually sample the salt-infused water that once filled these majestic buildings. Be warned though: it's something of an acquired taste.
Looking for a Place to Rest your Head
We don't want to undersell the stress-busting power of a spa treatment. When you're tired and tense, a full-body massage can make you feel like you've knocked 10 years off your age and scratched 20 items from your to-do list.
But if you want to hit that reset button, you've got to hit it hard. A one-hour stint at the massage might not be enough to cleanse you of all your aches and anxieties.
So why not go for the full package? You could start by visiting one of these spas in Cheltenham and then head to Cotswold Grange for a soothing night's sleep and a rejuvenating breakfast.
Our boutique hotel has all you need for a spot of post-spa pampering. Cosy, elegant rooms. Scenic surroundings. Friendly, accommodating staff. The works.
And thanks to our convenient location in the leafy suburb of Pittville, you'll have easy access to some of the best restaurants, bars and spas in Cheltenham. Fancy spending a day wandering the gorgeous landscape of the Cotswolds? We're just a short drive away from some of the best scenery that Gloucestershire has to offer.
No pressure. But if you do decide to stay, you can expect a very warm Cheltenham welcome.