Latest news with #Champneys
Scottish Sun
05-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
From health ‘cures' to very famous guests – UK's oldest spa turns 100… and you can get 50 per cent off stays
Plus, the 10 spa holidays in the UK and abroad with shell massages, huge pools and overnight stays SPA TIME From health 'cures' to very famous guests – UK's oldest spa turns 100… and you can get 50 per cent off stays Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) 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. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 11 Champneys Tring is the UK's OG spa, with the first health and wellness retreat opening in 1925 Credit: Alamy 11 Now, the destination is celebrating 100 years of wellness and relaxation Credit: Alamy 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. Inside the English spa hidden in the countryside with a serene private outdoor pool away from everyone 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. 11 Champneys Tring is the UK's OG spa, with the first health and wellness retreat opening in 1925 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. How to save up to 50 per cent on a Champneys stay Champneys is currently offer up to 50 per cent off stays if you stay for a three-night break. Included in the stay is unlimited spa access and meals. One night starts from £142.50, while three nights starts from £352.50 when the discounts are applied. 11 Body masking was introduced in the 1950s and involves applying a thick paste or cream to the skin in attempt to detoxify the body 11 Hydrotherapy was also introduced in the 1950s 11 In the 60s, guests at the spa resort requested tennis courts and to this day, it is one of the most popular activities at the spa 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. 11 Aqua aerobics was introduced to Champneys in the 70s as a fun, social activity 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. 11 In the 80s, the beauty, fitness and wellbeing industry in the UK experienced a major cultural shift 11 Running also surged in popularity as a simple, empowering way to boost both physical and mental health 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. 11 Then in the 90s, Champneys introduced the wellness bootcamps 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.
The Irish Sun
05-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
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. 11 Champneys Tring is the UK's OG spa, with the first health and wellness retreat opening in 1925 Credit: Alamy 11 Now, the destination is celebrating 100 years of wellness and relaxation Credit: Alamy Now, the destination is celebrating 100 years of wellness and relaxation. Champneys Tring is set in 170 acres of Hertfordshire countryside, with a gym, 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 Read more on spa holidays 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. Most read in News Travel 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. Inside the English spa hidden in the countryside with a serene private outdoor pool away from everyone 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 11 Champneys Tring is the UK's OG spa, with the first health and wellness retreat opening in 1925 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 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. How to save up to 50 per cent on a Champneys stay Champneys is currently offer up to 50 per cent off stays if you stay for a three-night break. Included in the stay is unlimited spa access and meals. One night starts from £142.50, while three nights starts from £352.50 when the discounts are applied. 11 Body masking was introduced in the 1950s and involves applying a thick paste or cream to the skin in attempt to detoxify the body 11 Hydrotherapy was also introduced in the 1950s 11 In the 60s, guests at the spa resort requested tennis courts and to this day, it is one of the most popular activities at the spa 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 1970s A decade later in the 1970s, the fun and social activity of 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 Champneys claims this set a new industry standard of wellbeing treatments. 11 Aqua aerobics was introduced to Champneys in the 70s as a fun, social activity 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. 11 In the 80s, the beauty, fitness and wellbeing industry in the UK experienced a major cultural shift 11 Running also surged in popularity as a simple, empowering way to boost both physical and mental health 1990s Then in the 90s, Champneys introduced the 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. 11 Then in the 90s, Champneys introduced the wellness bootcamps 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 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 11 Currently, Champneys is also running their Serene Summer Sale with up to 50 per cent off stays Credit: Alamy
The Sun
05-07-2025
- The Sun
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. 11 11 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. Inside the English spa hidden in the countryside with a serene private outdoor pool away from everyone 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. 11 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. 11 11 11 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. 11 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. 11 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.
Daily Mail
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Sam Thompson comes face-to-face with Louis Tomlinson for Soccer Aid match after holding 'peace dinner'
Louis Tomlinson and Sam Thompson have came face-to-face once again ahead of their Soccer Aid match today. The pair were pictured in the reception of their hotel with their teammates before heading to Old Trafford for the much-anticipated charity match. It comes after it was revealed how they both held a 'peace dinner' before their match to ease any tensions over Zara McDermott. The dinner reportedly took place at Champneys in Tring, Herts with their other teammates in a bid to keep the peace ahead of the big game. A source told The Sun: 'There is no beef between the pair and they're both going to ensure their love lives don't distract from such a big charity spectacle. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'They are fully aware that their every move is being scrutinised and they've broken bread with their teammates, so it'll be smooth sailing on the day.'
Telegraph
30-05-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
How Champneys made us fall in love with spa hotels
A wooden paddle, ice cold facial roller, essential oils and sips of warm lemon water are all key components of Champneys' latest treatment, the '100 Years Face & Body Reset'. I instantly felt the benefits: energised legs, tighter skin and shoulder knots eased. My pampering took place at the original Champneys in Tring, Hertfordshire and was inspired by the spa's century-old treatment back catalogue which neatly combines nostalgia with cutting edge, much like the hotel itself where white robes, dance classes and detoxes are offered alongside of-the-moment cryotherapy and vitamin IV drips. I suspect it's one of the reasons the brand has survived for so long on the wellbeing scene – there's something for everyone. When Champneys first opened in 1925, there was nothing else like it in the UK. Established by Latvian wellbeing pioneer Stanley Leif, his Nature Cure Resort set in 170 acres was aimed at customers open-minded and wealthy enough to invest in holistic self-care that found the root cause of ailments rather than merely treating the symptoms. Guests, once described as 'starved, irrigated and beaten, but for a good cause,' would detox for weeks on warm lemon water and little else at the red brick mansion house, while taking part in immune-boosting treatments like hot and cold plunges (sound familiar?), combined with stretching and walks in the open air. In the 1970s global spa specialists Tanya Wheway and her late husband Allan were invited to manage Champneys, successfully transforming the brand from elitist holistic bootcamp to healthy holiday for all. In a time before mental health was front and centre, the decision to provide Lifestyle Consultants (psychologists) alongside fitness experts and dieticians was pioneering. 'What you're eating's important, but more important is what's eating you,' was Allan's mantra, says Tanya, who was also behind world-famous spa Chiva Som in Thailand. A star-studded era followed its purchase in 2002 by Stephen Purdew and his late mother Dorothy (or Mrs P as she was affectionately known by employees), who also owned three spa resorts which were rebranded under the Champneys name. Sporting heroes such as Frank Bruno and George Best would pop in for a sauna while super models and movie stars including Naomi Campbell, Barbara Streisand and Brad Pitt also donned a white robe. Its most famous guest, however, was Princess Diana – though staff remained discreet about the details of her visit, says Wheway. Fast-forward to today and the headline-making A-list visits of the early 2000s are a distant memory, with the average Champneys guest more likely to be working in accounts than Hollywood. The UK spa scene has radically altered too. Lemon water detoxes and Mr Motivator-esque fitness classes have long been relegated to spa room 101. Guests now tend to visit for a day or overnight stay rather than weeks and the vast majority are women compared to a century ago when it was men who were more likely to sign up for the Nature Cure. However, it's notable how many popular treatments today have their origins in the last century. 'It's gone full circle,' agrees Champneys' Wellbeing Director Louise Day, who says that the benefits of breathwork, for example, were recognised by Stanley Leif 100 years ago and are once again featuring heavily on spa programmes. Day has been with the company for decades and seen the fitness offer change organically from the 'feel the burn' era of Jane Fonda-style classes to the launch of bootcamps, PT sessions and strength training. She says guests are more focused on variety and personalisation, with mobility and HITT classes now part of the mix. According to Innovation Director Kate Taylor, Gen Z are the most clued-up generation health-wise thanks to social media, with most understanding that if 80 per cent of your wellbeing comes from lifestyle choices and just 20 per cent from genes, it's vital to start educating and looking after yourself way before the 35 years marker – the age your body officially starts to deteriorate. Gulp. Consequently, longevity and lifestyle are current buzz words in the spa world which Taylor believes will help shape wellness over the next 10 years. In response, Champneys is rolling out more retreats than ever before (up to 200), covering everything from detoxing and the menopause to the slightly more woo: a 'Twilight Moon Manifesting' retreat and 'Wim Hof Fundamentals' getaway. Taylor says research shows that poor sleep health is a concern that spans the generations from boomers to Millennials, so retreats to help guests get some shut eye are an important offer. And in an era when technology is threatening to impose on all areas of life, it's interesting to learn that Champneys' Group Spa Director Laura Sheridan is a big believer in digital detoxing and thinks human touch will become 'ever more important' to guests feeling increasingly isolated in a high-tech world. It's safe to say there's no danger of robots taking over the massage treatments at Tring just yet. Champneys clearly won't be hanging up its white slippers any time soon, with a new spa in Marbella scheduled to open this year, which will sit alongside the existing four spa resorts (Tring, Forest Mere, Henlow and Springs), two hotels and two city spas. Its challenge is to remain relevant at a time when there are more luxurious UK spa hotels than ever before and to meet the demands of guests expecting results in record time. Amanda Statham travelled as a guest of Champneys Tring, which offers doubles from £140.
