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 glass-fronted 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 by Isabelle in the bright, light reception area and led through to the spa café, Blossom Kitchen, to fill in consultation forms. After a refreshing berry, beetroot and cranberry smoothie shot, we were taken on a thorough tour of the spa and shown to the changing rooms and our allocated code-activated locker. Inside, a fluffy white robe and towel were waiting (no flip-flops are provided, so bring your own; if you’re staying at the hotel, you’ll find slippers and a robe in your room).

The spacious changing room has 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; the showers contain Neal Wolf shampoo, conditioner and body wash.

A door from the changing rooms leads to the thermal area, which is booked in two-hour slots to ensure it’s never too busy. The indoor pool with its floor-to-ceiling glass makes the most of those Yorkshire views and - at 16 metres – is large enough to swim leisurely lengths or cool off post-toasting. A row of rattan lounger chairs line one end.

There are plenty of heat experiences to enjoy, including a deliciously hot sauna (80 degrees on our visit), a slightly cooler Himalayan salt sauna, an infrared sauna (good for aching joints), a menthol-scented steam room and a warm bubble pool. Cool down under the experience shower or rub ice into toasted skin at the fountain. One of the treatment rooms has a Rasul and a double bath.

Outside on the spa terrace, two infinity hydro pools accommodate eight guests a piece. Unsurprisingly, this is a popular spot, so you’ll need to bag a spot quick-sharp. 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. Spa butlers are always on hand to provide an obligatory glass of bubbles, cocktails or mocktails, and you’ll find plenty of recliners for sunny days.

For VIP feels, pre-book the Garden Bath Experience where you’ll find 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 from the copper urn, peppermint tea and fresh fruit. On our visit there was a bowl of refreshing cold mitts to use.

Those looking for a private soiree can hire the whole of Nàdarra Spa for the evening. The Spa-rty package (available for 10 – 35 people) includes a glass of fizz, dinner in Blossom Kitchen and exclusive use of the spa with your very own DJ.

Active spa-goers can book a session in the air-conditioned gym and fitness suite; hop on the Boditrax machine to find out everything from your body fat percentage to your metabolic age (if you dare).

Tell us about the treatments

We tried the Sothys Organics Face & Body Ritual (60 minutes, £105).

My therapist, Angela, met me in treatment reception and led me to Gargrave, one of eight treatment rooms, all named after local villages. She asked me to take a seat so she could explain the treatment – a back, neck, shoulder massage plus express facial – and check any areas of concerns, before stepping outside so that I could disrobe and get comfortable on the heated treatment bed, lying face down.

After three deep breaths and some gentle body stretching, Angela commenced the treatment with a soothing back massage – paying extra attention to the tightness in my lower back. Checking the pressure as she went, she methodically eased out any knots in my shoulders and neck.

Turning onto my back, the facial element commenced with the Sothys Organics cleansing oil, followed by a spritz of toner and a gentle exfoliant with raspberry seeds and birch sap to banish dead skin cells. Next, Angela applied the Radiance mask and performed a heavenly pressure point face massage. Mask removed, serum and moisturiser applied, Angela concluded the treatment with a scalp massage – leaving me in that blissful place between sleeping and dozing.

I found our beautifully-scented spa partner snuggled under a blanket in the post treatment relaxation room; his skin glowing after a Nadarra Spa Blossom Ritual by Sothys (60 minutes, £105) – a back neck and shoulder massage using warmed cherry blossom and lotus – plus an express facial.

We then tried the Private Garden Bath Experience (45 mins, £49) in side-by-side copper tubs on the terrace. With the option of either salt or seaweed, we opted for the latter, sunk into pre-drawn baths and soaked up wonderful views down and across the estate.

Seasonal treats and a glass of fizz elevated this already spectacular experience. A clear, waist-high screen kept the Yorkshire breeze at bay, and there were plenty of fluffy towels and a fresh robe at hand when it was time to dry off.

Nàdarra Spa has plenty to entice the spa-goer, including facials, massages and body treatments from ishga, Aromatherapy Associates and Sothys. 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 located next to the reception. The vibrant space enjoys floor-to-ceiling glass windows on one side with a statement 360-degree glass fireplace at the centre. Dine at wooden tables with pops of red, blue and yellow upholstered chairs; the extensive menu offers drinks and dishes for brunch, lunch and afternoon tea.

We chose the crispy braised belly pork with jasmine rice, chilli and soy pak choi; our spa partner opted for the delicious duck breast served with pak choi and fermented carrots - both simple and tasty combinations served with an indulgent glass of pink fizz. We were easily tempted by the recommended special dessert of mango cheesecake adorned with purple edible flowers.

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 sticky toffee pudding.

We opted for to share the rosemary & thyme studded baked camembert to begin start, followed by a mouth-wateringly tender 28-day dry aged rump steak with roasted garlic butter, chips and micro green salad. Our spa partner polished off the 12-hour belly pork served with maple red cabbage and black pudding mash. Sadly, we were too stuffed for dessert, despite a tempting chocolate and salt caramel brownie.

We loved / we didn't love

We loved

The spa terrace: two good-sized infinity pools, with views to die for, persuade almost everyone to spend as much time outside as the Yorkshire weather permits; super-efficient spa butlers bring refreshments directly to your pool-side recliner.

The treatments: from the luxurious Sothys rituals to the VIP ishga seaweed baths, Nàdarra Spa has got its treatment offerings nailed.

The views: this piece of ‘God’s own country’ is heavenly with its rolling hills as far as the eye can see. Watching the sun rise over the lake from our bedroom terrace was a real highlight.

We didn’t love

The alfresco hydro pools were super busy on our visit; try to bag your spot early for a guaranteed piece of prime estate.

Who do you think would like it?

Anyone looking for some serious relaxation: the treatments are amazing, the food delicious and the spa concierge make you feel well looked after. And did we mention those shoulder-dropping views?

Nature lovers: set deep in the Yorkshire Dales, you’ll spot sheep grazing on the hills, pheasants wandering by and swans gliding on the lake.

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 award this spa?

We awarded Nàdarra Spa at The Coniston Hotel a Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of Five Bubbles for its excellent treatments, good selection of thermal rooms and hydro pools, attentive and personable service and tempting food.

Scarlet Spy visited in March 2025 and awarded it 5 Bubbles.