Nàdarra Spa at The Coniston Hotel Country Estate

First Impressions

Set in the glorious rolling hills of the Yorkshire Dales, The Coniston Hotel forms part of a leafy, 1,400-acre estate with a shimmering lake at its heart. You’ll find the Nàdarra Spa – with its wide range of indoor and outdoor facilities - in a separate building behind the hotel. If you are staying the night, simply walk across to the spa; day guests can park right outside.

What's on offer?

We were warmly greeted in the bright, light reception area and taken to the pre-treatment room to fill in a consultation form and pre-order lunch. After a refreshing smoothie shot, we were taken on a thorough tour of the spa and shown to the changing rooms and our allocated locker equipped with white robe and towel.

These are large and spacious, with good-sized lockers and a grooming area with large, well-lit mirrors; padded stools; hairdryers, straighteners and plenty of cotton buds and tissues. There is one private changing area for the modest; rather delightfully, the showers contain Neal Wolf shampoo and conditioner, and Aromatherapy Associates body wash.

The glass wall beside the indoor pool makes it very light and airy and - at 16 metres – is large enough (and the right temperature) to swim leisurely lengths.

There are plenty of heat experiences to enjoy, including a hot sauna, a slightly cooler Himalayan salt sauna, an infrared sauna (good for aching joints), a steam room and a warm bubble pool. Cool down under an experience shower or by using the ice fountain afterwards. One of the treatment rooms has a Rasul and a double bath.

Outside on the spa terrace, two hydro-pools accommodate eight guests a piece. We loved wallowing in the warm, bubbly water (shoulders under) looking out over the green fields down to the lake as a bevy of pheasants wandered by. You’ll find plenty of recliners.

Here, too, are side-by-side freestanding baths to relax in while sipping something fizzy – and drinking in those views.   

The post-treatment relaxation room has just enough space for five comfortably padded recliners. Help yourself to water, tea and fresh fruit. On our visit there was a bowl of refreshing cold mitts and some of the tester products on display to have a play with.

Tell us about the treatments

We tried the Sothys Sensations Orientales (60 mins, £115).

My therapist, Nam, showed me to one of eight treatment rooms and asked me to take a seat so she could explain the treatment and check if there were any areas I’d like not to be exfoliated (not really) before stepping outside so that I could disrobe and get comfortable on the treatment bed, lying face down.

Fully exposed except for paper pants, Nam poured a warm, syrup-like amber enzymatic gel onto my legs and back in one motion in preparation for a Terracotta stone which she used to gently and exfoliate my skin. She then applied a warm oil containing seasonal myrrh and massaged the scrubbed areas.

Nam then asked me to turn over so that she could repeat the process on my front, including my stomach and chest (yes, those too). The treatment concluded with a warm towel on my neck, shoulders and back to prevent any post-massage soreness. The terracotta stone was gifted to me to take home which was a nice touch.

I met my glowing spa partner in the post treatment relaxation room afterwards; she boasted about her smooth skin following a Sothys Hanakasumi treatment (60 mins £115), an exfoliation and massage focussing on the feet.

My spa partner and then tried the Private Garden Bath Experience (45 mins, £49) in side-by-side copper tubs on the terrace. Choosing from a menu of infusions (goji berry and pomegranate please), we waded into pre-drawn baths and soaked up wonderful views down and across the estate.

Seasonal treats and a glass of fizz (or a matching tea your bath infusion) elevate this already spectacular experience. A clear, waist-high screen kept the Yorkshire autumn breeze at bay on our November visit, and there were plenty of fluffy towels and a fresh robe at hand when it was time to dry off.

Finally, we both tried a Mud Rasul (30 minutes, £25) ln a large private room with two loungers, a huge image of the Scottish sea shore, an oversized couple’s bath and plenty of towels. After applying Ishga mud to our limbs and faces - assisting one another when it came to our backs– we sat chatting whilst the mud got to work in the gentle steam before a hot shower above our heads came on to wash it off. A very relaxing end to our spa day.

Nàdarra Spa has plenty to entice the spa-goer, including facials, massages and body treatments from ishga, Aromatherapy Associates, Sothys, and Neal & Wolf as well as some more unusual treatments from ‘Relax and Sleep’ to ‘Inner Strength’.

Nàdarra Spa also runs yoga retreats, meditation, mindfulness classes and Pilates.                                                                            

Food Facts

Spa lunches are served to guests in their robes in the Blossom Kitchen, a dedicated spa restaurant with its large menu of drinks and dishes for brunch, lunch and afternoon tea.

We chose the delicious duck breast served with pak choi, pickled rhubarb and burnt soy dressing - a simple yet effective combination served with an indulgent glass of pink fizz. We were easily tempted by the recommended special dessert of parkin cake with caramelised apples; purple edible flowers decorated the plate.

When staying overnight you can dine in the hotel’s restaurant, The View, with its glass walls affording stunning vistas of the valley and the lake below. There’s also a large terrace for diners to sit outside on sunny days.

The menu of British classics includes starters such as, mushroom & chestnut tart, hearty mains of ox cheek and thyme-breaded belly pork and traditional puds such as apple crumble.

We opted for a light and tasty treacle cured Gravlax served with beetroot, pickled cucumber and tonka bean mayo to start, followed by a flavoursome pan-fried cod with sauteed potatoes and butternut squash. Our spa partner selected the scallops with scallop roe cracker to begin with, followed by braised lamb shoulder served with rosemary Rosti and caramelised cauliflower.

After a much-needed breather, we managed (it’s a hard life) a Baileys Cremieux with pistachio crumb and ice cream, and a trio of Courtyard Dairy cheese with chutney and crackers. Phew.

We loved / we didn't love

We loved

The spa terrace: two good-sized hydro-pools and plenty of recliners persuade almost everyone to spend as much time outside as the Yorkshire weather allows. There are even drinks on tap at the spa bar with waiters taking orders and delivering to loungers.

The range of treatments and products: the luxurious Sothys products make a visible difference to the skin; Aromatherapy Associates encourage calmness, while ishga offers healing and restorative treatments.

The views: this piece of ‘God’s own country’ is heavenly with colourful trees and rolling hills where sheep safely graze, pheasant walk by and swans glide on the lake in hope of catching supper.

We didn’t love

The layout of lockers in the changing rooms proved awkward to use with other guests wanting to get by.

The walk across to the spa from the hotel. Hotel guests are asked to dress in their robe and slippers before going over to the spa. Granted, it’s not far but not pleasant on a wet and windy day.

Who do you think would like it?

Anyone after wellness with a side of indulgence: the treatments are amazing, the food delicious with some lovely treats, and the spa concierge makes you feel well looked after.

Those in need of relaxation: we defy anybody not to feel at one with the world whilst sitting in a hot tub looking down onto a lake and the hills beyond.
 
Treatment aficionados: whether you need a good massage after walking in the Dales or some expert attention for your skin, the therapists know what they are doing - and good quality products make a real difference.

What bubble rating did you give this spa?

We awarded Nàdarra Spa at The Coniston Hotel a Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of 5 Bubbles for its excellent treatments, attentive and personable service and tempting food. The spa is quite small but careful timing of sessions prevents it feeling overcrowded.

Serene Spy visited in November 2023 and awarded it 5 Bubbles.