From health ‘cures’ to very famous guests – UK’s oldest spa turns 100… and you can get 50 per cent off stays

THE UK’s oldest spa is celebrating it’s 100th birthday – with discounts up to 50 per cent to celebrate.

Champneys Tring is the UK’s original spa, with the first health and wellness retreat opening in 1925.

Alamy

Champneys Tring is the UK’s OG spa, with the first health and wellness retreat opening in 1925[/caption]

Alamy

Now, the destination is celebrating 100 years of wellness and relaxation[/caption]

Now, the destination is celebrating 100 years of wellness and relaxation.

Champneys Tring is set in 170 acres of Hertfordshire countryside, with a gym, thermal spas and outdoor jacuzzi.

Beyond this location, Champneys also have destinations in Forest Mere, Hampshire; Henlow Grange, Bedfordshire; Leicester Springs, Leicestershire; Eastwell Manor, Kent and Mottram Hall, Cheshire.

And throughout the years and Champneys’ destinations, the spas have seen a wealth of celebs including Naomi Campbell, Barbara Streisand and Brad Pitt.

Princess Diana even stayed at one of the resorts but staff remained discreet about the details of her visit.

Also over the past 100 years, what Brits want from a spa has changed too.

Here’s a look back on Champneys’ history.

1940s

Back in the early 1940s, Britain was gripped by war.

Yet Champneys remained a “sanctuary of stillness, serenity and restoration”.

Despite the decade being defined by urgency and uncertainty, Champneys remained open for those in need of respite.

This even included notable guests like Clementine Churchill – the wife of Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

Clementine Churchill wasn’t just a political spouse throughout the war, she also was a hostess to diplomats, balancing her personal life with public duties.

During 1941, Clementine’s workload increased, with many people visiting her as the wife of the Prime Minister.

She then decided to go for a short rest cure to Champneys, near Tring in Buckinghamshire.

1950s

In the 1950s, hydrotherapy was then introduced to the Champneys experience.

This included sitz baths, plunge baths, shower baths, spray baths, foot baths and spinal applications.

Many of the treatments offered at the spas used the power of water to stimulate circulation and promote detoxification – which is still offered at the resorts today.

In the same decade, body masking was introduced.

This is where a thick paste or cream made from natural ingredients – such as clay, seaweed, mud or herbal extracts – would be applied to the skin in attempt to detoxify the body, improve circulation and soften the skin.

Once applied, the body would often be wrapped in warm towels or blankets to encourage sweating and absorption of the beneficial elements.

1960s

Later in the 1960s – thanks to the ‘Open Era’ of Wimbledon – tennis in the UK became more popular.

Guests at the spa resort requested tennis courts and to this day, it is one of the most popular activities at the spa.

1970s

A decade later in the 1970s, the fun and social activity of aqua aerobics was introduced.

Interest had flown in low-impact, accessible forms of exercise that suited a wide range of ages and fitness levels.

The spa also led the industry in embracing holistic therapies and infused aromatherapy and reflexology into spa treatments.

Champneys claims this set a new industry standard of wellbeing treatments.

1980s

In the 80s, the beauty, fitness and wellbeing industry in the UK experienced a major cultural shift.

Mind and body wellness had entered the mainstream.

Influenced by American fitness icons like Jane Fonda, aerobic workouts became a household trend.

Running also surged in popularity as a simple, empowering way to boost both physical and mental health.

According to Champneys website, it was in the late 70s and early 80s that they began to introduce yoga and meditation.

“By weaving Eastern philosophies into our spa experience, Champneys helped bring mind-body wellness into the British mainstream – long before it was a trend,” its website states.

1990s

Then in the 90s, Champneys introduced the wellness bootcamps.

The bootcamps have a holistic approach and have always included time for restorations with full access to spa facilities and treatments too.

2000s

The 2000s brought cutting-edge anti-ageing skincare and advanced facial treatments to Champneys, with “the latest in medical-grade technology”.

Then in 2011, The Champneys Collection launched in partnership with Boots, bringing spa experiences into people’s homes across the country and internationally.

Now

Today, Chamneys has four spa resorts, two spa hotels and two city spas.

Eastwell Manor, for example, is the ideal hotel break in the countryside with access to health and beauty treatments, indoor and outdoor heat swimming pools, a gym, sauna, nature trains and brasserie.

Then at Springs Resort in Leicestershire – the UK’s first purpose-built health spa – guests are free to explore a gym, HIIT studio, dance studio, spin studio as well as other classic spa facilities.

The spas still use and have many of the different elements that Champneys have collated over the years.

Currently, Champneys is also running their Serene Summer Sale with up to 50 per cent off stays.

Guests can get 20 per cent spa days, 20 per cent off one-night breaks, 40 per cent off two-night breaks and 50 per cent off three-night breaks if they book a break before July 15, for now until September 30.

And on July 19 and 20, Champneys will be hosting The Wellness Fest with yoga and meditation classes, breathwork sessions, zumba, pilates, mini treatments, guided walks and talks.

There are plenty of cheap spa breaks to book this year – with UK stays from £17pp & holidays abroad from £261pp.

Plus, the 10 spa holidays in the UK and abroad with shell massages, huge pools and overnight stays.

Alamy

Currently, Champneys is also running their Serene Summer Sale with up to 50 per cent off stays[/caption]