First look inside Middleton Lodge Forest Spa in Richmond

Middleton Lodge, which sits in rural North Yorkshire, near Richmond, has opened its Forest Spa - the latest in an ongoing 20-year restoration project. 

The privately owned 200-acre country estate has built a reputation as one of the best hotels in the UK, and a globally recognised event space.

The new therapeutic facilities will add to Middleton Lodge's existing 59 bedrooms, two restaurants, and event space. 

In 2014, the estate introduced two treatment rooms at the Coach House, which quickly became sought-after havens for massages and beauty therapies, receiving national acclaim.

As the estate continued to evolve and grow with its 59 bedrooms, the demand for additional leisure experiences for visitors and hotel residents became evident.

The Forest Spa, an entirely original offering exclusive to Middleton Lodge Estate, was born out of this need. 

The Forest Spa has been designed by creative director Rebecca Tappin, and draws on the concept of forest bathing.

Advertised as "elemental and inviting, with an earthy and rustic authenticity", the spa is located on the estate's Old Farm.  At the core of the Forest Spa is a 15m by 7m heated outdoor pool, surrounded by two authentic buildings, the pool house and the thermal spa.

The pool house features a central log-burning stove, comfortable seating, and open brick walls offering views of the pool.  The thermal spa features a sauna with panoramic views of the estate's fields and woodland, a tadelakt steam room, an arch stone plunge pool, and a relaxation zone complete with fireplace and pool views.

The North Yorkshire spa also includes a stone outdoor hot tub area with seating and six treatment huts, two of which are 'bathing huts' equipped with tin baths and woodburning stoves. 

To complement the Forest Spa experience, a "balanced and nourishing" spa menu has been created, incorporating ingredients sourced from the estate wherever possible.

The spa is open to both hotel residents and spa day guests.