Spa and well-being

Bath is constantly building on its heritage, leading the way in Britain's spa revival. In addition to the new Thermae Bath Spa there's an excellent choice of spa hotels in Bath and the surrounding area offering health, beauty and relaxation spa break packages along with complementary therapies and holistic treatments.

Two thousand years ago, with most of the world at their feet, the Romans recognised the unique qualities of Bath and settled here. They chose well. Set in a sheltered valley, surrounded like Rome by seven wooded hills and nourished by Britain's only natural hot springs, it is a natural haven. Today you can visit the Roman Baths to explore the extensive ruins and treasures of the magnificant temple.

Thermae Bath Spa is located in the heart of the city-centre. The historical parts of the spa, Roman, medieval, Georgian and Victorian - have been refurbished and returned to life. But there's also an astonishing new 21st-century spa complex that offers a full range of treatments, complementary therapies and steam rooms, not to mention the opportunity to bathe in a spectacular rooftop thermal pool open to the skies.

There are many other choices of spas to visit in Bath and beyond from spas at luxury hotels, the 5 star Bath Spa Hotel has opened a new 'Thermal Spa' in a Greek temple-style building, to local day spas where you can spend the whole day relaxing or treat yourself to a 30 minute treatment.

Healthy cuisine is another Bath speciality (it was, unsurprisingly, the first place in Britain to hold a farmers' market). There's an eclectic mix of traditional and modern restaurants, many of which are committed to using fresh, local ingredients and organic produce in their preparation of delicious 'slow food' (as opposed to the fast variety). The city and countryside also have a good choice of vegetarian and vegan places to eat.

If you want a little pampering or a lot of luxury Bath and beyond is the place to visit, for information on local spas click here.