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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