KENTSTAYCATION
With its outstanding natural beauty , wholesome food and country houses that create the ultimate sanctuaries , Kent is the perfect place for a stress-busting break . From classic spa retreats helping you unwind the easy way with pampering treatments and utter serenity , to countryside and coastal escapes that embrace the blissful isolation of their surroundings , The Garden of England has all the right remedies to help you hit pause and regain your equilibrium . If your mind and body are in desperate need of rebalance , Kent also has all the professional help and advice you might need to achieve this - including fitness retreats and therapy centres . So , take some time to restore and come with us on a journey to feeling stressfree , calmer and happier in Kent .
MIND AND BODY
The Quaives , Wickhambreaux @ the _ quaives
A magical and unique country escape surrounded by nature . Book a stay in one of the beautiful cottages or deluxe bell tents on The Quaives Estate where you can enjoy 19 acres of manicured gardens , trees , wild walkways , ponds and local countryside walks and sites . You can also choose to add on extras such as a spa day , meals , yoga classes , massages and more . Every inch of The Quaives is used for nurturing experiences , whether that ’ s classes in the studio , massages by the pond , or meditations in the gardens . If guests have any special requests , they are welcomed to share their ideas and The Quaives team will do their best to make it happen !
The Therapy Cabin , West Malling www . thetherapycabin . com
Sara O ’ Donnell is a trained counsellor and hypnotherapist based just outside West Malling . Sara specialises in working with clients suffering from depression , anxiety , stress and childhood emotional wounds or trauma . Sara also works with hypnotherapy to treat stress , anxiety , emotional trauma and low self-esteem . All of this is carried out from the tranquil space that is The Therapy Cabin : “ I ’ m a big believer in the power of nature to play an important role in therapy and that ’ s why I prefer to work out of my beautiful private wood cabin in my secluded garden ,” says Sara . “ The Therapy Cabin is private , airy and designed to make you feel both comfortable and beautifully relaxed . It ’ s the perfect place to escape from your everyday life and find the peace , relaxation and sanctuary you need .”
Stede Court Private Fitness Retreat , Biddenden @ stedecourtretreat
Kathryn Freeland had the idea for a fitness and wellbeing retreat while feeling stressed out a few months before her wedding and simultaneously purchasing Stede Court . She needed to get away , without the stress of an airport , and she wanted something that offered balance and a mixture of exercise as opposed to a ‘ shouty bootcamp ’ or 5am yoga ; she also wanted tasty , healthy food that she could recreate at home . Kathryn needed tranquillity and a personalised itinerary to rejuvenate her back to being her best self , which is why , in 2016 , Kathryn moved back to Kent and launched Stede Court Private Fitness Retreat in 2019 to offer day and residential fitness and wellbeing retreats alongside personal training and a 100 % bespoke experience for guests .
Kathryn has over 20 years ’ experience personal training celebrities , royalty and private clients in London parks and homes . Before moving to Kent seven years ago , she was one of London ’ s top personal trainers and ran Absolute Fitness for 15 years with 17 trainers . She combines many disciplines to give you the very best bespoke session including Pilates , yoga , TRX , HIIT , kettlebells , running , boxing , circuits , sports therapy , meditation and mindfulness . Kathryn is also qualified in nutrition and has a five-star food hygiene rating .
SPA SERENITY
Granary Spa , Ashford @ thegranaryspa
A peaceful retreat and the home of beauty and holistic relaxation , when you step through The Granary Spa door you will receive a personal and unique experience which allows you to escape from the outside world , pause your everyday stresses and feel totally relaxed . The holistic therapists here are trained to provide an exceptional treatment experience every time , leaving your mind and body relaxed , restored and refreshed . Choose from an extensive range of beauty and holistic treatments including pamper days to indulge in , from massage and reflexology to facials and pregnancy pampering .
Rowhill Grange , Dartford @ rowhillgrange
Part of the acclaimed Alexander Hotels Group , Rowhill Grange describes itself as ‘ an oasis of calm ’ and is an award-winning , four-silver-star hotel and spa that prides itself on its pièce de résistance : the Utopia Spa . Crafted from a desire to transport the senses away from the everyday , Utopia is a spa destination like no other . Featuring 19 treatment rooms including two couple ’ s treatment rooms , iconic Romanesque splitlevel pools , saunas , steam rooms , whirlpools and more , guests are invited to nurture and fortify their bodies with heat , water and scent . Reconnect with your centre and find equilibrium with a range of bio-nutritional therapies from OSKIA of London and deeply aromatic treatments from Temple Spa along with Rowhill ’ s own unique Utopia rituals .
After your treatments , spend the day unwinding in your soothing , fluffy robe while you enjoy a drink at the bar , delicious dining in the Elements Bar and a wander around the pretty grounds that surround the hotel .
TOR Spa , Ickham @ torsparetreat
The UK ’ s leading Ayurvedic health spa . Ayurveda is an ancient health science of India that has been practised for over 5,000 years . “ It is a complete mind , body health care system used for health promotion and to treat both acute and chronic disease ,” says TOR Spa . “ At TOR we offer a different experience to other spas in Kent or other areas of the UK with our unique approach and Ayurvedic practices .” Located in the village of Ickham , five miles east of Canterbury , TOR is set within beautiful gardens alongside a small lake . When relaxing at TOR , guests can have a swim and gently exercise aching muscles in the 95 ° F oxygenated pool and slowly unwind in the Finnish sauna or in the stone steam room . Treatments include the rejuvenating Abhyanga body massage , facials , salt brushing and hot stone massage . TOR also specialises in foot and hand revival : a cleansing , exfoliating and softening treatment that results in smoother skin and nails . A more target-specific treatment is their ‘ sparkling eyes ’ treatment , which focuses on the delicate eye area to smooth away fine lines and reduce puffiness and dark circles .
Eastwell Manor , Ashford @ eastwellmanor
Venturing to the countryside alone can offer the ultimate tranquillity you might be seeking when planning your perfect spa escape . The geography of Kent with its rolling green hills and rambling estates fits this requirement ideally , with a large number of country houses turned into welcoming and resplendent venues offering that break from the everyday we so crave .
One such country estate that rises from the mist of Kent ’ s ancient countryside is the breathtaking Eastwell Manor , a Champneys spa that offers the utmost professionalism when it comes to spa breaks and treatments . After you have been enthralled by the architectural beauty of the manor itself , which oozes a rich Kentish history complete with links to royal characters , choose to take a swim in either the indoor or outdoor 20-metre heated swimming pools or whirlpool . A steam room , sauna and relaxation beds also await you , as well as a 3,000-sq ft gym , tennis courts , croquet lawn , scenic nature trails and guided walks if you are feeling more energetic . The heavenly ‘ spa cocoon ’ features sleek treatment rooms , cosy relaxation areas , a mani-pedi lounge and a healthy spa café and restaurant . So , whether you are joining Eastwell for a spa day , an extended spa break , or simply popping in for an express
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