Where to go and what to do on a spa break in Yorkshire

From where to go and what to see to where to stay, here are a few of our favourite recommendations.

Things to do in Yorkshire

There are so many wonderful things to do in Yorkshire, whether you're visiting towns and cities like York, Leeds, Sheffield and Ripon, or hiking in the Yorkshire Dales. Here are just a few to give you a taste of what to look forward to.

Visit York Minster

Built between 1220 and 1472, York Minster is unequivocally beautiful and well worth a trip. The impressive cathedral showcases incredible architecture, which you can enjoy from multiple angles. Head below to the Undercroft or climb the 275 steps to the top of the central tower for jaw-dropping views.

Explore Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal Water Garden

A World Heritage Site, Fountains Abbey is one of the best preserved Cistercian abbeys in England, a haunting ruin nodding to the dissolution of the monasteries and dating to 1132. Walk in the footsteps of ancient monks on a guided tour, and extend your stroll into the surrounding 18th-century Studley Royal Water Gardens, with its riverside paths and mirror-like ponds. You might even spot a few of the resident deer while you're there.

Travel the Yorkshire Sculpture Triangle

Celebrating 200 of the world’s greatest artists across four leading arts venues in Yorkshire, the so-called Yorkshire Sculpture Triangle includes The Hepworth Wakefield, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Leeds Art Gallery and The Henry Moore Institute. For art lovers it's a treat, each 30-minutes by car from the other and showcasing the county's unique sculpture heritage as the birthplace of two of the most important 20th-century sculptors, Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore.

Experience Salts Mill

A UNESCO World Heritage Site in Saltaire, Salts Mill is a place for art, dining and shopping in one exceptional historic building. Made up of renovated mill houses, it's home to the only permanent David Hockney exhibition in the country, but also showcases exhibitions on local history.

Have tea at Betty's

If Yorkshire is famous for anything it has to be a good cup of tea, and nowhere does it better than Betty's. In the pretty town of Harrogate, the tearoom and bakery is the original home of what's become a widely known brand. Enjoy the quintessentially British setting, a range of teas, freshly baked cakes and biscuits, and don't forget to purchase a few to take home as well.

Where to stay on a Yorkshire spa break

Yorkshire's spas and spa hotels are just as joyful and beautiful as its myriad attractions. From York to Leeds, Harrogate to Helmsley, there are a wealth of opportunities to rest, relax and have a wonderful time. Here's a little inspiration.

Forest Spa at Middleton Lodge, Richmond

A lovingly restored Yorkshire Retreat rooted in history, Middleton Lodge is a 200-acre estate that combines rustic charm and contemporary elegance for a romantic, peaceful and restorative escape. With a reverence for the environment their practices are highly sustainable and in tune with their beautiful grounds. Stay in cottages or suites within the main house, and spent time in the purpose-built Forest Spa, which is the perfect combination of luxury meets alignment with nature.

The Spa Hotel, Saltburn

The Spa Hotel Saltburn is a family-run spa hotel taking in views of the dramatic North Sea and just moments from the beach. The landscape is an instant tonic, and guests (including the family dog) can unwind in style with beautiful rooms that maximise the views. There's lots to do in the surrounding area, while on-site the Amber Rooms offer a space dedicated to pampering and beauty.

No.1 by GuestHouse York, York

A boutique hotel in the heart of picturesque York, No.1 by GuestHouse York is an elegant, contemporary hotel that honours the heritage of the Grade II Listed Regency townhouse in which it resides. The spa is a seductive space in the subterranean arches of the property, complete with holistic treatments using nut-free, organic and natural skincare products. There's no gym or wet facilities - it's all about pampering and relaxation. Overall it's perfect for romantic escapes.

Yorkshire Spa Retreat, York

Having opened in the winter of 2022, Yorkshire Spa Retreat is a luxury wellness escape in the heart of the North Yorkshire countryside. Surrounded by eight acres of parkland near Helmsley, guests here experience the ideal balance between modern health, hospitality and inspiring natural landscapes. The spa retreat is somewhere that everyone will love - small and perfectly formed, it's romantic, but also makes a wonderful place for me-time or quality time with a friend.

Grantley Hall, Ripon

Party like Gatsby or dine like a queen. If you listen carefully you may still be able to hear the dulcet tones of Dame Vera Lynn echoing through the halls at this illustrious country house hotel. Grantley Hall has played host to the good and the great across the centuries, and while its style remains in keeping with its 17th century roots, it’s also very much the height of modern hospitality. No stone is left unturned when it comes to luxe details, from a sensory feast at dinner, to its own Gatsby-style night club, and the magnificent, purpose-built Three Graces Spa and Elite Luxury Gym.