What's Bubbling... this August

From brand-new spa openings and inclusive wellness retreats to mud therapy and seaside-inspired relaxation, here's what's making waves in the world of spa and wellness this month.

FIREFLY MAKES A SPLASH

Overlooking Firefire Lake, Silverlake Dorset will open its doors to a new purpose-built wellness facility this month with a 25-metre heated outdoor pool, a sauna area with lakeside cold plunge (for the brave), outdoor showers, a relaxation yurt, lakeside treatment pods and an adjoining restaurant serving locally-sourced ingredients with fish at the centre. There’s also wild lake swimming, paddleboard Yoga (yep) and forest bathing.

MUD GLORIOUS MUD

Sometimes the oldest therapies are the best and mud treatments - thanks to their exfoliating, detoxifying and skin-conditioning benefits – are no exception. Yorkshire’s Titanic Spa in is embracing the trend with the opening of a Private Mud Chamber, part of the spa's Heat & Ice Experience. Guests can apply mineral-rich mud to one another before relaxing together as it works its magic. From £40 per person.

SPAS NEED TO BE MORE CANCER-INCLUSIVE

Despite growing awareness around cancer-safe treatments, too many people living with or beyond cancer are still turned away by spas. As specialist training becomes more widely available, the industry is being encouraged to ensure more guests can enjoy the physical and emotional benefits of spa experiences safely and confidently (here, here), like The Spa at Carden’s new 50-minute Touch Therapy treatment using Made for Life products.

COASTAL CALM COMES TO FFOLKES

Big things are bubbling away at Ffolkespa – Norfolk’s most colourful spa - where a brand-new spa area (called Coastal) is on the horizon. Expect three hot tubs, a hydrotherapy tub, heated waterbeds, infrared relaxation space, double loungers and, perhaps best of all, unlimited help-yourself gelato. Nice. More space to relax, more ways to unwind and one more reason to book a return visit.

AND FINALLY…

The annual Good Spa Awards will be even bigger and better this year with more categories, more bums on seats and a brand-new venue: the uber-chic Sopwell House in St Albans with its well revered (and 5 Bubble Luxury) spa: Club at Cottonmill. Save the date: 16 November. See you there.