This ‘magnificent’ UK spa is on its own private island and costs just £15 to enter

An outdoor jacuzzi is true pampering (Picture: Waterton Park Hotel & Spa) As the days get shorter and the skies turn grey, there’s never a better excuse to indulge in a little self-care — and one ‘secluded’ UK spa is offering R&R on a budget. From just £15, you can enjoy some much need relaxation in a Georgian mansion, located on its own private island. Tucked away in Walton Hall, at the Waterton Park Hotel & Spa, facilities at Bazaar Spa include lakeside hot tubs, a sauna, steam rooms and more. The island is accessible only by a small footbridge, surrounded by rolling parkland and ancient woodland, so guests are in their own little world — despite being just a 15 minute drive from Wakefield city centre. Walton Hall was actually built in 1767, and was the ancestral home of Charles Waterton, a Victorian naturalist and explorer. Eccentric Charles, who had a love of taxidermy, enclosed his entire estate with an eight-foot high wall, in a bid to protect the wildfowl there from poachers and foxes. As a result, he created the world’s first nature reserve. After his death 1865, Waterton Hall was eventually sold. From then, it had a storied history — and was even used as a maternity hospital —before it became a hotel in the 1970s. Guests at Waterton Park Hotel & Spa get free complimentary access to the spa and pool (not including the outdoor hot tubs), from 7am to 9am, but for the rest of the day, you require an extra spa package to use the facilities. You have to cross a small bridge to visit the island (Picture: Waterton Park Hotel & Spa) If non-guests want to enjoy an early morning at the spa, you can book the Sunrise Lakeside Experience, which costs just £15, granting you access to all the facilities (including those dreamy outdoor tubs). Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Other more expensive options include the Morning Lakeside Experience, which offers three hours access from 9.30am to 12.30pm, plus a light lunch, for £30. Or, if you’d rather spend a whole day unwinding, there are options for tha too. The Lakeside Luxury package is the hotel’s most premium option, priced from £179 per person. It includes pastries and coffee on arrival from 9am, two 50-minute treatments, lunch with prosecco, a smoothie, full spa access from 9.30am to 4pm, and robe, towel and flip-flop hire. Did we mention the views are good? (Picture: Waterton Park Hotel & Spa) The experience doesn’t stop at the spa, with on-site dining available at the Grand Café, alongside Sunday lunches and afternoon tea. Plus, in the spa, you can enjoy the Essence Bar for drinks and small bites, where you can eat in your robes for ultimate relaxation. Unsurprisingly, the spa is becoming a favourite. TripAdvisor included the location in their 2026 Travellers Choice Awards, naming it as an ideal spa break choice in West Yorkshire. Many guests have praised the breathtaking surroundings of the spa. One reviewer, who used the spa in August 2026, said: ‘The hotel and spa are situated on their own island, which makes it feel really special. ‘One of my favourite parts was the swimming pool, which is at lake level. Swimming while watching the swans, ducks and geese gliding across the water was so peaceful.’ Another, who visited in November 2025, was equally impressed: ‘The manor house is absolutely beautiful, full of character, and it is located on its own private island, which adds to the charm and atmosphere of the place.’ Reviewers also loved the ‘magnificent,’ ‘secluded’ and ‘truly stunning’ location, and claimed the hotel was ‘excellent value for money.’ The lake wraps around the whole small island (Picture: Maicey Navarro Griffiths) However, where there is light, there is shade, and while most people thoroughly enjoyed their stay, a few noted that the hotel was somewhat dated, saying the beds could do with an upgrade. And if you needed an excuse to book a spa trip, using a sauna has health benefits in abundance. They support kidney function by flushing out toxins, metals, and waste, which can cause acne and breakouts. They can also keep skin more moisturised and increase the body’s natural collagen production and stimulation. Looking for more spa days in the UK? Do you have a story you’d like to share? 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