Goodwood Health & Wellbeing

First impressions

Goodwood is a quintessentially British county-house hotel located just a few miles from the quaint town of Chichester. Set within a 11,000-acre estate, resident sheep, cows and pigs graze contentedly in the surrounding fields, making it a peaceful place to stay. Motorsport memorabilia lines the walls of the hotel, while fires flicker in the cosy lounges and award-winning sustainable restaurant. It’s dog friendly too, your four-legged friends are truly welcomed with open arms; don’t miss Goodwood’s dog festival - Goodwoof - in May.

Wellness takes centre stage at Goodwood Health Club, where the pool and thermal facilities are based, with expert-led holistic retreats on Gut Health, Menopause, Longevity and Wim Hof Fundamentals.

What's on offer?

You can reach the spa directly from the main hotel; don your robe and follow the signs as you weave your way through the maze-like hotel. Day spa-goers can enter via the glass-fronted health club where you’ll be greeted at reception and handed your robe and a bag of spa-day-specific goodies.

Along the corridor to the left you’ll find three separate changing rooms: male, family/disabled and female. The spa changing rooms are shared with the health club and are expansive. You’ll find several banks of half-height wooden lockers operated by card, as well as six showers – equipped with Elemental Herbology shampoo, body wash and conditioner - four private changing cubicles (one in each corner) and a baby change area and three WCs. For your convenience you’ll also find a costume spinner, hairdryers, body lotion and a water dispenser.

At the heart of the health club is the blue, mosaic 14-metre swimming pool, ideal for some serious laps; grey loungers line one side with large floor-to-ceiling windows looking out onto the golf course beyond. At the opposite end of the pool, you’ll find a bubbly Jacuzzi and two rainforest-head showers for rinsing off. The wooden-benched sauna can seat around five people, while the steam room would comfortably house seven; both were sufficiently toasty on our visit.

The pool welcomes a mix of hotel guests and local health club members making it a bright and buzzy place rather than a temple of calm. Kids are welcome between 12pm and 6pm and will love the small shallow splash pool.

The air-conditioned gym, which you can use on your spa day, has TechnoGym and Peloton equipment, plus free weights and kettle bells. Goodwood offers an impressive range of classes, too: everything from HITT to Chakra Yoga; add these to your spa day at no extra cost.

The Waterbeach is a small, self-contained area along from the health club reception on the right. Beyond the frosted-glass wall you’ll find four treatment rooms and a waiting/relaxation area with several sofas and glass cabinets displaying Elemental Herbology products. There's a further two small treatments rooms along the corridor opposite.

Tell us about the treatments

We tried the Grown Alchemist Regenerating Facial (60 minutes, £84). 

My therapist, Tara, met me in the waiting area, led me through to a treatment room and invited me to take a seat so that she could explain the end goal of the facial: to increase plumpness, even out skin tone, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles (yes please).

Tara then left the room so that I could slip off my robe and settle down on the gently-heated bed, lying face up. Returning, Tara placed a bolster under my knees and commenced the treatment with a cleansing foot ritual.

For the facial, Tara reached for a Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser containing Geranium Leaf, Bergamot and Rose-Bud and massaged it into my skin until it lathered and bubbled away. This she followed with a Hydra+ Oil-Gel Facial Cleanser. After a Polishing Facial Exfoliant, Tara performed an incredibly soothing and sculpting massage to my décolletage, shoulders, neck and face. Turning my head either side, she used long, deep, strokes to soothe the tension from my muscles.

Tara then used Facial Rejuvenating Cups to increase blood flow to my face, aiding drainage and ridding it of the fluids that can cause puffiness. Next, Tara applied an Age Repair Sleep Mask filled with Hyaluronic Acid, Phyto Peptides, Amino Acids and antioxidants; while this worked its magic, she massaged my arms and scalp. Refreshingly cold cryo-balls were then used to calm and oxygenate the skin, tighten pores and add a radiant glow.

Tara concluded the treatment with a slather of Age Repair Eye Balm, some serum, a coating of sun cream and a slick of watermelon and vanilla lip balm, before handing me a glass a of lime-infused water.

The treatment massage felt incredibly soothing, while the facial cups and cryotherapy balls left my face plump and glow-y. Grown Alchemist products are all-natural too, with lovely subtle, organic scents.

At The Waterbeach, you can choose from a range of treatments using products from Grown Alchemist and Elemental Herbology - choose from facials, massages, wraps or scrubs. Many of the Health & Wellbeing treatments have been curated specifically for the spa’s Gut Wellness and Longevity programmes – such as body brushing, abdominal massage and castor oil liver compress. In-residence experts provide holistic therapies, too including cranial osteopathy, acupuncture, reflexology and reiki. Finishing treatments include manicures and pedicures by Mii.

Food facts

If you're visiting The Waterbeach for a spa day you’ll be dining in either the informal Goodwood Bar and Grill close to the Health Club reception - and a great stop for coffee on the terrace - or Farmer, Butcher, Chef, the sustainable field-to-fork restaurant in the main hotel – and our favourite. You’ll need to change out of your robe for both.

Much of the food at Goodwood is local, seasonal and organic with all the beef, pork and lamb produced onsite. In fact, it’s one of the only self-sustaining organic farms in Europe. The beautiful space has a wooden vaulted ceiling with rows of industrial metal bulb pendant lights shimmering above the long wooden tables and upholstered chairs. If the sun is shining, dine outside on the terrace adorned with bistro tables, pretty flowers and large sun umbrellas - you could almost be in the Med’.

We feasted on a delicious (and super-healthy) starter of Sussex Red Beef Tartare with pickled mushrooms; our main course of Goodwood Lamb Cannon with braised lentils and cauliflower was melt-in-your-mouth tasty, flavoursome and good for the gut. If you’re not on a retreat (we were) the dessert menu features delights such as Earl Grey and Bergamot Layer Cake with Hobnob Ice Cream; Honey Parfait with Estate Kefir, Seeds and Pollen; and a trolley of locally-sourced cheese.

You loved / You didn't love

We loved…

The wellness offerings: from cutting-edge Longevity & Gut Health retreats with industry experts to Wim Hof Fundamentals, Goodwood is leading the way in wellness. Don't miss an evening Gong Bath with the magical Ram-Inder Rai - a heavenly way to unwind before bed.

The food: locally sourced (just look out of the window) organic, seasonal and delicious, we loved every single meal at Farmer, Butcher, Chef. Good has  teamed up with Mindful Chef so you can order gut-friendly meals to cook at home, too.

The staff: every single person we encountered was super-friendly, knowledgeable and eager to help in any way they could.

We didn't love…

The spa itself is limited: most of the facilities are within the health club which is very popular with members. Pick your timings carefully to avoid aqua class (unless that’s your thing, of course).

Who do you think would like it?

Wellness seekers: From Longevity Retreats to Gut Health with a team of expert nutritionists, Goodwood’s wellness credentials are note-worthy. Microbiome facials, liver compressions, cranial osteopathy, acupuncture and energy healing are par for the course, too.

Foodies: the fork to field ethos means the produce is exceptional and sustainable. As Goodwood put it: “you will have travelled further than your food.” Don’t miss a stroll to the farm shop to stock up on goodies on your way home.

Active spa-goers: with its large gym, the opportunity to sign up for a wide range of classes and 11,000 acres to roam (sunset walk anyone?), those who get restless after too long on a lounger will feel right at home at Goodwood.

What bubble rating did you award this spa?

We awarded The Goodwood Hotel a Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of Five Bubbles. The dedicated spa space may be small, but the treatments are excellent, the therapists intuitive and the wellbeing focus industry-leading. The sociable mix of health-club pool and classes, delicious food and professional treatments will appeal to many a spa-goer.