Health Farms and Spa Retreats

Find the perfect health farm where you can relax, detox and revive yourself - a haven hideaway from the stresses and strains of day-to-day life. Health farms (in the UK, at least) are sometimes called health retreats, fitness farms, boot camps and those specialising in weight loss are affectionately nicknamed 'fat farms'. Some of the most famous examples of health farms in the UK include Ragdale Hall in Leicestershire, Cedar Falls in Somerset, Senspa in the New Forest and the heavenly Champneys Health Farms across the UK.

You'll find some of the best health farms in rural beauty spots - so you can enjoy the calm of nature and the countryside while you cleanse and detoxify yourself. Getting yourself in tip-top health is easy with great sports facilities like indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, bicycles, golf courses and fully-equipped gyms with cardio suites, free weights area and studios for classes at many health spas. If you really want to perfect your swing or kick-start your fitness regime, you can call in a little professional help by booking a session with a sports coach or personal trainer too.

As well as fitness activities, health farms are known for their holistic programmes of treatments. These can range from indulgent, stress-busting treatments like massages, facials, waxing and manicures to more health-focused treatments like lymphatic drainage, nutrition advice, cellulite treatments and colonic hydrotherapy to name just a few. It's not all about the body either, a lot of people visit health farms when they're feeling frazzled and in need of a little mental TLC; activities like yoga, group meditation, reiki, reflexology and sometimes even counselling or hypnotherapy for food addictions or to stop smoking are on offer at many health farms to make sure your stay is as positive for your mental and emotional wellbeing as possible.

Like the best hotels, most health farms have top-quality restaurants and luxury accommodation. Many even specialise in health food for different nutrition plans or for people with special dietary requirements, so whether you're on a raw-food detox diet or you're just a fussy eater, you're bound to be well catered for.

If you're planning a hen night, a spa break or a pre-holiday pamper weekend a health farm is the perfect place to go. You can stay just a single night or, at the larger retreats you'll find enough spa facilities and activities to keep you occupied for at least a couple of weeks, but be warned: you might never want to leave!