TAKE ME WITH YOU…
Aqua Sana Forest Spa Longleat Forest is located on the beautiful Longleat Estate in Wiltshire. After a relaxed drive through the fragrant forest - past log cabins lined by giant redwoods - you arrive at the spa's dedicated car park. Stroll a few steps to the standalone Roman-style spa which rises like a temple beneath the towering trees.
SHALL WE SPA?
Double doors reveal a vast, open-plan reception area with large, globe-style pendant lights hanging from a vaulted ceiling. The area feels modern and bright, with lots to take in: a tempting boutique on the left is filled with Elemis, Comfort zone and Voya products; on your right, a spacious nail salon with three brown leather pedi-thrones and mani-stations. Signage requests you leave your phone in your locker; switching off and relaxing is your only option.
We were warmly welcomed by Chelle at the spa reception and, after completing health questionnaires on an iPad, were handed a wristband for the lockers and a towel and robe bundle. Bring your own flip flops, or you can purchase a pair for £5.95.
Doors behind the desk lead to the male and female changing rooms. Mirrored vanity tables avec
hairdryers, oval brown leather seats and large tree-patterned lampshades add a ‘spa’ feel to a functional space. There are 11 good-sized showers stocked with Elemis revitalise-me amenities, one private changing room and a swimsuit dryer. Walls are lined with plenty of wooden lockers, opened with your electronic wristband (tap it against a wall-mounted device to help recall your locker number when you inevitably forget it, like we did).
A door from here leads through the café, past the entrance to the treatment lounge on your left, and into the spa with its impressive two floors and 24 experience, across five zones, both inside and out.
You’ll find four green-tiled, bubbly reflexology foot baths by the entrance; with nine thermal rooms to explore, there’s something for everyone. Warm up in the Alpine Steam Room with a huge amethyst crystal at its centre, before toasting in the huge wooden Nordic Sauna with floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the forest. Hardcore heat lovers should make a beeline for the Lava Volcanic Sauna which glows red.
Cool off afterwards in one of the four experience showers (some are deliciously scented with mandarin) or by grabbing handfuls of ice from the ice bath.
At the heart of the spa, set in a glass-sided courtyard, you’ll find the open-air hydro-pool. Start inside and swim out through plastic curtains before relaxing on a mosaic-tiled seat in the bubbly water. A real suntrap; lie back and relax to the sound of birdsong. Take a stroll outside to the Hot Spring Gardens at the back of the spa and sink into one of the two hot tubs with woodland backdrop. There’s a variety of loungers and oversized egg chairs to get horizontal on when the sun shines.
Those looking for some serious chilling have a choice of seven further relaxation spaces, from the Scandinavian Snug with its cosy blankets and flickering fire pit to the snooze-inducing water beds in Deep Relax.
TREATMENT TALK
We tried the Back, Neck & Shoulder Massage (25 minutes, £65).
My therapist, Kate, met me at the spa treatment lounge and led me to one of the 22 treatment rooms, decorated in earthy colours. After asking about any areas of concern and explaining the treatment, Kate left the room so I could de-robe and lie face down on the bed.
The treatment began with three deep inhalations before Kate applied an Elemis oil to my back and commenced the massage. Starting with long strokes from the base of my back to my neck, Kate then focused in on the tension in my lower back. Bending my arm to rest on my back, she worked on the stubborn knots around my shoulder blades, before moving on to my (somewhat crunchy) neck.
The treatment concluded with the application of Elemis Instant Refreshing Gel; the combination of Camphor, Menthol and Arnica cooled and soothed my tired, achy muscles which I was grateful for.
After some aftercare advice, Kate led me to the bright and airy relaxation room where I found my spa partner snuggled up on a lounger. We sipped lemon water, comparing treatment notes, and stared out at the trees through floor-to-ceiling windows. While post-treatment relaxation spaces are often dark and cosy, this light-filled space offers a picture window out to nature; we watched robins and butterflies flit between trees and, to our delight, an adolescent deer strolled past.
HOW DID IT MEASURE UP?
You can’t go wrong with a back, neck and shoulder massage, especially if you’re hunched over a screen all day. I felt in confident hands with Kate, but 25 minutes is not quite long enough for this knotted up Spa Spy. There’s a good choice of 50-minute massages – from Deep Tissue and Acupressure to a Full Body Hot Stone - on the spa menu for those needing a little extra TLC.
SPOT OF LUNCH?
Spa-goers can feast en-robe in the Vitalé Café Bar, a high-ceilinged airy room with a huge window one side, overlooking the forest.
Our Moroccan chicken focaccia wrap, served with salad, was delicious and devoured at speed; spa-ing is hungry work after all. A glass of Prosecco was the perfect accompaniment. We decided to pay extra and indulge in a pud’ after eyeing one leaving the kitchen; the Mango & Passionfruit dome – with two spoons – hit the sweet spot.
Breakfast, cakes, pastries, afternoon tea for two, folded focaccias and wraps, salads, pasta, sharing platters are all on the menu.
GOT ALL DAY?
Open from 9am – 9pm, a spa day with lunch and a treatment allows you plenty of time to explore the 24 sensory experiences at your own pace. Don’t miss the complimentary wellbeing sessions - look for signs on the wall for timings and make sure you arrive at least 10 minutes early as they are super popular.
SHORT ON TIME?
The Forest Cavern (exclusive to Longleat Forest) is a great spot to warm up the body; this cave-like tepidarium transports you to a rainforest cavern with trickling water and pomegranate and myrrh infused air. Sweat it out in the thermals before cooling off in the ice cave. Don’t miss the centrepiece swim-out hydro pool.
Good Spa Guide
10th July 2025
