Wellness Hotspots: The Best UK Locations for a Relaxing Wellness Getaway

1. Greater Manchester

Wellness Hotspot Score: 9.03/10

Greater Manchester is the best UK location for your wellbeing, scoring 9.03 out of 10. Although it’s a lively part of the UK, there are a number of peaceful locations and opportunities to unwind within easy reach of the city centre.

Greater Manchester ranked well across most of the factors we looked at. It ranked third for the most walking trails per 100 square miles (111), including the Greenfield Waterfall Circular and the Dovestone Reservoir Circular trails, both providing excellent opportunities for birdwatching and idyllic views.

The area ranked fourth for locations with the most health retreats (18), including the Self Love Retreat Day hosted in the city and Forest Therapy Wellbeing Walk hosted by Inside Nature Wellbeing. It also ranked third for locations with the most gyms (169) and fourth for yoga studios (24) within five miles of Manchester. Some gyms and yoga studios within the city include 4.9-star-rated The Yoga Lounge, and Nuffield Health Fitness and Wellbeing Gym, rated 4.3 out of 5 on Yelp, which has a swimming pool and sauna room conveniently located in the city centre.

2. Greater London

Wellness Hotspot Score: 9.02/10

Coming in a very close second place is Greater London, scoring 9.02 out of 10. Despite it being a busy and populous city, Greater London offers plenty of opportunities to escape the rush of daily life and work on your wellbeing. Greater London ranked top among locations with the most health retreats (39), including the Elementa Day Retreat in Hammersmith and Fulham, where visitors can enjoy activities like breath work, yoga and holistic facials.

It also ranked top for the number of gyms (562) and yoga studios (145) within five miles of London. Some gyms and yoga studios include the 4.1 Yelp star-rated Marshall Street Leisure Centre and Heartcore, a dynamic pilates centre offering a wide range of classes suitable for people of all levels of fitness.

Greater London ranked within the top five UK locations for the number of walking trails per 100 square miles (99) and, perhaps surprisingly, tree coverage percentage (19%). Those visiting London can enjoy walking the Tamsin Trail in Richmond Park, popular among hikers and mountain bikers.

3. East Sussex

Wellness Hotspot Score: 8.66/10

Rounding out the top three locations rated best for your physical and mental wellness, East Sussex has a score of 8.66 out of 10. East Sussex ranked in the top five for areas with the highest percentage of tree coverage (19%), which includes green areas like the ancient woodland Brede High Woods.

East Sussex is also among the regions with the most gyms (161) and yoga studios (47) within five miles of Brighton and Hove. Some gyms and yoga studios in Brighton and Hove include the Yelp 5-star-rated Max Strength gym and Yoga in the Lanes, where beginners and hot yoga classes are run.

It also ranked in the top 10 for the locations with the highest percentage of highly-rated spas (63%), such as the Little Jasmine Therapies and Spa, which specialises in massage therapy and is rated five out of five by users.

Health retreats can provide a wealth of benefits, depending on the specific event you decide to attend. They allow you to spend time with like-minded people who share the goal of improving physical and mental wellbeing through exercise, yoga or meditation, as well as a host of other activities.

1. Greater London

Number of Health Retreats: 39

Greater London, the second-best wellness location overall, has the highest number of health retreats to counteract its bustling nature. The area has 39 retreats, including the London Day Retreat for Women, offering self-care workshops and meditation sessions, Wildheart Yoga Spring Retreat, and Healthier and Happier Beam Park, where visitors can learn about emotional intelligence and explore dance.

Life in the busy capital can be exhausting, physically and mentally, as such it would make sense that there are plenty of opportunities for residents to decompress from time to time.

2. Somerset

Number of Health Retreats: 21

Remaining in Southern England, Somerset comes in second place for locations with the most health retreats. The area has 21 health retreats, including the Yoga and Sound Healing Retreat, offering soundbath therapy, and the Glastonbury Spring Retreat, which incorporates yoga sessions and activities to connect with nature.

3. Devon

Number of Health Retreats: 19

Finishing off the top three locations in the UK with the highest number of health retreats, we have the southern rural location of Devon. The South Devon landscape is awash with stunning rolling fields and picturesque wooded valleys. There are 19 health retreats in the area, including the Salcombe Yoga Retreat Day and the Mindful by Nature Retreat, which includes walking in nature, forest bathing, and poetry.

Walking is a relatively low-impact form of exercise that can improve your physical wellbeing. However, doing it outdoors on some of the UK’s most breathtaking walking trails can also improve your mental wellbeing, as spending time outdoors has been strongly linked to better states of mental health, according to mental health charity Mind.²

1. Surrey

130 walking trails per 100 square miles

Surrey comes in first as the location with the most outdoor walking trails. Surrey is brimming with beautiful countryside for everyone to explore, including the nationally designated Surrey Hills - an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There are 130 walking trails per 100 square miles, including the Box Hill Stepping Stones Walk, rated at a moderate difficulty level and taking an average of one hour and 11 minutes to complete. From atop Box Hill, you can see the River Mole and the ancient woodland, and chalk downland managed by The National Trust.

2. Edinburgh

118 walking trails per 100 square miles

Edinburgh takes second place for locations with the most walking trails and is popular with hiking enthusiasts from around the globe for its rolling hills as far as the eye can see. There are 118 walking trails per 100 square miles, including the Arthur’s Seat trail, rated as moderate in difficulty and taking an average of one hour and 41 minutes to complete. The rocky summit of the trail towers over the city of Edinburgh. Arthur’s Seat is also the highest point of a group of hills known as the Salisbury Crags, which form the remains of an extinct volcano that erupted more than 350 million years ago.

3. Greater Manchester

111 walking trails per 100 square miles

In third place for locations with the most walking trails is Greater Manchester, which has 111 walking trails per 100 square miles. One must-visit trail is the Dovestone Reservoir Circular, rated as an easy trail that takes just over one hour to complete.

The area is popular for birdwatching, as it is managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds; as such, there are a wide variety of bird species to be seen. You can also take picturesque walks around the reservoirs, such as Greenfield and Yeoman Hey.

Access to outdoor spaces, especially green or nature spaces, can significantly impact an individual's mental and physical wellbeing. People who access green spaces more regularly may have reduced levels of stress, and improved mood and self-esteem, according to Mind. ² As such, areas with more green spaces offer a greater chance for exposure and potentially a better state of wellbeing.

1. Berkshire / Hampshire

Average Ward Tree Coverage: 21%

Berkshire and Hampshire are tied for first place for areas with the highest tree coverage percentage. With an average tree coverage of 21%, these areas offer plenty of access to natural and green spaces, encouraging good mental wellbeing.

Some recommended parks in Berkshire include 4.7-star Google-rated Windsor Great Park and Beale Wildlife Park, rated 4.4-stars on Google.

Hampshire is home to the popular Lepe Country Park, and Riverside Park - a 32-hectare site along the River Itchen where visitors can play tennis and football.

3. West Sussex

Average Ward Tree Coverage: 20%

In third place for locations with the highest average proportion of tree coverage, we have West Sussex, with a moderate tree coverage of 20%. Parts of the South Downs National Park are in West Sussex. A few popular parks include Tilgate Park, Hotham Park, and Mewsbrook Park - a four-hectare urban park just a few minutes from the beach.

4. Oxfordshire / Surrey / Greater London / East Sussex

Average Ward Tree Coverage: 19%

We have a four-way tie for fourth place, as Oxfordshire, Surrey, London and East Sussex all have 19% average tree coverage. Perhaps surprisingly, each location coming in top of these rankings are in Southern England.

Port Meadow Park in Oxfordshire is a large open commonland meadow next to the River Thames, with an idyllic setting linked to the story of Alice in Wonderland.

Priory Park in Surrey has a longstanding heritage, with football fields and tennis courts, and is ideal for active and sporty visitors.

Despite the Greater London area having the large city of London, there’s a surprising amount of green spaces due to government initiatives to reduce carbon emissions. Hyde Park in London is a historic Grade I-listed urban park with landmark monuments and frequent events.

Seven Sisters Country Park on the coast of East Sussex is an excellent location for wildlife spotting and cycling.

Self-care and taking care of yourself has become a big trend in recent years. Spas are the perfect place for a little dose of self-care and relaxation, as the serene atmosphere and soothing treatments have been shown to improve emotional wellbeing and encourage the release of endorphins.

1. Gloucestershire

90% highly-rated spas

Ranking top as the location with the highest percentage of highly-rated spas, we have Gloucestershire. The location has 10 spas on Tripadvisor, 90% rated at least four out of five. The Cheltenham Chase Spa rated four out of 5, offers soothing facials and relaxing full-body massages; there is also a sauna and jacuzzi on site.

2. Powys

88% highly-rated spas

Powys takes second place, with eight spas on Tripadvisor, 88% rated four out of five or higher by users. The Beauty Room and Hair Studio is rated four out of five in Powys, and it offers Monu facials, massage therapies and alternative therapies.

3. West Yorkshire

70% highly-rated spas

West Yorkshire finishes in the top three. It is home to the most spas out of the top three, with 166 on Tripadvisor, 70% of which are rated four stars out of five and above. Rosa Thai Therapy in West Yorkshire is rated five out of five and offers Thai massage therapy using a special Rosa herbal balm sourced from Bangkok.

Gyms are great places to work on your wellbeing, especially when the weather conditions are unfavourable for outdoor exercise. As such, those who live near larger cities have much more opportunity to use the gym to work on their physical wellbeing.

1. Greater London

562 gyms within five miles of the most populous city

Greater London comes out top among locations with the most gyms within five miles of its most populous city. The most populated city in Greater London is London, and there are 562 gyms within five miles to cater for its large population and demand. You’re never far away from a gym, so there’s plenty of opportunity to exercise. Popular and affordable gyms include Fitness4Less in Southwark, PureGym in Covent Garden and Ringtone Boxing Gym.

2. Edinburgh

200 gyms within five miles of the most populous city

The Edinburgh council area takes second place, as the most populous city in this area is Edinburgh, which has 200 gyms within five miles. Edinburgh also has a PureGym site, The Gym Edinburgh and Factory Gyms - all conveniently located and popular with locals.

3. Greater Manchester

169 gyms within five miles of the most populous city

Greater Manchester takes the third spot for areas with the most gyms, as its most populous city, Manchester, has 169 gyms within five miles. Manchester is home to the 4.3-star-rated Nuffield Health Fitness and Wellbeing Gym and popular The Gym Manchester on Portland Street.

Yoga also comes with a host of benefits, such as improving your flexibility and joint health, as well as potentially improving your sleep according to The Sleep Foundation! ⁴ Studies have also shown that yoga may reduce your resting heart rate and the maximum uptake of oxygen in your body, according to Healthline. ⁵

Furthermore, people living in bigger cities such as London tend to have a vast option of yoga studios to take advantage of.

1. London

145 yoga studios within five miles of the most populous city

London again comes in first place, this time for the most yoga studios within five miles of its most populous city (145). Given their likely fast-paced lifestyle, Londoners understand the above benefits of participating in yoga to find moments of peace and stillness - some well-known yoga studios within the city include Triyoga in both Soho and Chelsea and 4.7-star Yelp-rated Heartcore in Moorgate.

2. Edinburgh

59 yoga studios within five miles of the most populous city

Edinburgh places in second, as it did for areas with the most gyms. Its most populous city has 59 yoga studios within five miles, easily reached by locals and visitors alike. Tribe Yoga, Canning Street Yoga and Meadowlark Yoga are all rated four out of five and higher on Yelp making them ideal destinations to participate in the wellness activity.

3. East Sussex

47 yoga studios within five miles of the most populous city

East Sussex has 47 yoga studios within five miles of its most populous city, Brighton and Hove. Some options for yoga studios within East Sussex’s most populous city include Yoga in the Lanes and Brighton Buddhist Centre, each offering classes for adults at all levels of experience.

Air quality is incredibly important for your wellbeing, as poor air quality with pollutants such as carbon monoxide, ozone and nitrogen oxides are found to have strong links with heart disease, cancer and pneumonia, according to the World Health Organization.⁶

Furthermore, a study by the British Journal of Psychiatry has found poor air quality adversely affects people's mental wellbeing.⁷ It found evidence that exposure to air pollutants can increase the risk of depression, anxiety and psychoses.

As such, areas with better air quality are far more likely to be places that can facilitate good wellbeing.

1. Powys

Air Quality Index Score: 19

Powys, a Welsh location, comes in first position for UK regions with the best air quality, scoring 19. We looked at Powys’ most populous city, Newtown, and took the air quality index score from Accuweather, where an index of 50 or lower is considered ‘good’.

2. Conwy

Air Quality Index Score: 21

Wales is clearly the place to go for fresh air, as another Welsh area, Conwy, comes in second place for areas in the UK with the best air quality. Using Accuweather, we took the air quality score for the most populous settlement for Conwy, the county town of the same name, which was 21. As well as having good air quality, Conwy is approximately a 50-minute drive from the Eryri National Park, where there’s fresh air aplenty.

3. Wiltshire / Cornwall

Air Quality Index Score: 22

Lastly, in joint third place for regions in the UK with the absolute best air quality, we have Wiltshire and Cornwall, both located in southern England. Swindon, the most populous settlement in Wiltshire, and Redruth in Cornwall both recorded an air quality index score of 22, way below the ‘good’ threshold of 50. The air quality in these locations makes them ideal places to go to take in some of the freshest air the UK has to offer.