Rudding Park Spa

First Impressions

Rudding Park is a grand Georgian property with immaculate gardens. The Roof Top Spa and Garden is a separate building across the courtyard garden - after parking in the spa's dedicated car park, follow the path lined with rhododendrons to the contemporary building with glass double doors. 

What's on offer?

Three floors of spa heaven. The spa reception, changing rooms and swimming pool are on the ground floor. Take the glass staircase (or the lift) down to the Escape Zone, a serene space for guests having a treatment, or up to the thermal facilities and rooftop garden.

The reception area is light and bright, with high ceilings. Here you’ll find a boutique selling a tempting range of beauty products. The hair salon is here should you fancy a blow dry after your spa day.

The changing rooms are spacious and L-shaped, with large lockers containing fluffy stone-coloured robes, flip-flops and dark grey towels. Change beside leather benches or nip into one of four private changing rooms.

Showers contain Rudding Park's very own shampoo and conditioner. Make good use of the large, mirrored vanity area afterwards, which has Cloud Nine hairdryers and straighteners, as well as Rudding Park cleanser, moisturiser and toner. All you need is your swimwear.

Rudding Park's 17-metre pool is large enough for some serious swimming, with loungers along one side. This area can also be used by club members. Children are welcome to use the pool during splash times; check the website for information. There is a large juniper log sauna overlooking the gardens which is roomy enough for 12 people. Cool down under the bucket shower afterwards.

The Roof Top Spa is accessible for spa day guests and members: hotel guests can pay to upgrade and access the facilities. Begin your thermal journey with a foot spa: sit on warm seats and select cool or warm water, followed by jets that massage the feet. There are several steam rooms to try, ranging from moderate to hot. The ‘luxury’ steam room is circular with a domed ceiling filled with twinkly lights. Individual ‘thrones’ are marked out in white mosaic tiles on the navy-tiled bench; water hoses allow you to trickle cool water on your feet (probably the grandest steam room this Spa Spy has seen on her travels).

Try the Sunlight Therapy room where you can lie back and ‘bathe’ in sunlight to boost your vitamin D levels or sit on a stool in the Oxygen Pod (our ordinary atmosphere has 21 per cent oxygen, but here it’s 27 per cent) - this feels like a stroll at the seaside and would be especially refreshing if you had overindulged the night before.

Allow plenty of time to enjoy the rooftop garden, including the views and the stylish loungers with umbrellas set out among the fragrant salvia. Call an attendant – or order via barcode -for a glass of fizz to sip in the sunshine. We could have spent all afternoon in the bubbly 11-metre hydrotherapy infinity pool, with its warm water and powerful jets, and the hot Panoramic sauna with its wooden and glass exterior; join one of the complimentary group sessions here with an Aufguss master who combines essential oils, music, lighting, water and a towel twirling technique to create a multi-sensory ritual to raise endorphins - and leave you feeling rather hot.

There is another sauna out on the rooftop with two cold water dips alongside it - warm up in the sauna, nip out to dunk in the cold water (5 degrees has never felt so cold) and then scoot back to the sauna.

Screens of plants divide seating areas; groups can hire a private cabana near the hydrotherapy pool which has a fire pit. Beyond here, you’ll find the new and secluded Woodland Bathing Area where you can immerse yourself in the chemical-free heated water, sip Champagne and listen to nothing but birdsong.

Need some quiet relaxation? The tranquillity area has heated loungers and headphones (which sadly blew away during our stormy visit). Tucked away behind the tranquillity area is yet another garden.

The quiet Escape Zone and treatment rooms are two floors down. The Escape Zones are quirkily - but descriptively - named: try ‘Mind’ for mind-stimulating games. ‘Audio’ for headsets playing meditative tracks, ‘Visual’ for a huge screen showing restful, colourful images. Our favourite was ‘Sleep’ which has huge comfy recliners and a ‘starry, starry night’ ceiling, plus gentle music to lull you.

Tell us about the treatments

We tried the Diamond Energy Ritual (105 minutes, £268).

Our treatment began with half an hour in a huge copper bath, slathering ourselves in a creamy scrub before stepping into warm water to relax with a glass of bubbles.

Once dry, we climbed onto individual treatment beds, lying face down. Our therapists, Emma and Jenna, began the massage element of the treatment by focussing on our backs, legs and feet, using a dry oil which soaked into the skin. Emma quickly found the knots in my shoulders and neck and worked hard to release them. One of the best foot massages I have experienced came next, Emma working deep into the reflexology points for adrenal glands and the digestive system.

The facial element of the treatment began with a cleanse followed by a citrussy essence containing Hyaluronic acid to rehydrate. The Diamond Glyco Extreme Peel that came next tingled slightly but wasn’t uncomfortable. While this worked away, Emma tackled my rather painful knee (thanks to a torn cartilage) applying some warming gel to the front of the and some cold gel on the back. This worked a treat.

Once the peel was removed. Emma performed a lifting massage on my face and neck, concentrating on the smile lines around my eyes and jawline. The treatment ended with a satisfying scalp massage.

My spa partner and I compared results at the end of the treatment: his usually dry and slightly flaky skin was clear and smooth; my skin looked plumped and glowing. We both felt completely relaxed and were happy to be taken to the post treatment area for a rest and some chilled grapes.

Rudding Park Spa offers a menu of facials, massages and other body treatments using Natura Bissé products, as well as sports rehabilitation, treatments for mums-to-be, post cancer treatments from Jennifer Young and bathing rituals. Finishing touches include manicures and pedicures from local brand Navy.

Food Facts

You can lunch in your robe in Horto, a contemporary cafe with floor-to-ceiling windows and a cheerful palette of emerald greens and mustards. Lunch is two courses of light salads and wraps.

We opted for the crispy pork served with a very refreshing kimchee and cucumber salad; our spa partner opted for the more indulgent chicken burger with fries. We shared a vegan tiramisu for desert made with vegan mozzarella and almond milk. This wasn’t quite as light as the traditional recipe but - for this lactose intolerant Spa Spy – a treat, nonetheless.

Horto also serves dinner with an indulgent tasting menu and optional wine pairings. Much of the food comes from the kitchen garden, so is fresh and seasonal. They offer an interesting range of small plates to share, as well as vegetarian and vegan options.

We began our meal with some green olives and some deliciously warm Focaccia stuffed with peppers and artichoke hearts. For mains, our spa partner tucked into seared cod with a smoked mussel sauce; we indulged in duck ‘Cherryaki, tender slices of roasted duck breast with a cherry sauce and spring onions. Both dishes were fresh and light, perfect after a spa day. Sadly, we didn’t have room for dessert, although the Rhubarb and custard Sundae nearly made the cut.

We loved / we didn't love

We loved 

The variety of experiences on offer: there is so much to explore beyond the pools and thermal experiences, including a sunroom, oxygen pods and sleep rooms.

Being able to spend most of the day outside: choose a seat on the roof, order a drink and dip in and out of the pools and saunas before enjoying a snooze in the tranquillity area.

The standard of treatments: Natura Bissé products used by therapists who really know their stuff… it’s a winning combination.

We didn't love 

The post treatment area (on the lower floor) is rather tucked away so is easy to miss.

Who do you think would like it?

Couples: over half the guests on our visit were couples enjoying time together.

Peace and quiet seekers: this is a large spa with several quiet spots where you can curl up with a good book.

Treatment aficionados: skilled therapists deliver carefully personalised, top-quality treatments.

What bubble rating did you give this spa?

Once again, we awarded The Roof Top Spa and Garden at Rudding Park a coveted Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of Five Bubble Luxury for the sheer variety of facilities, great treatments and excellent customer service.

Sybaritic Spy visited in January 2025 and awarded it 5 Bubble Luxury.