Whether you want to try forest bathing, paddle-boarding or foraging, here are some of the best wellness activities available to guests in and around our hotels, perfect for getting out into the great outdoors and feeling all the better for it…

We may not always have the weather to show it in all its glory, but the English coastline is beautiful come rain or shine, and one perfect way to take it all in is to hike along a part of it. Some day soon, all 2,700 miles will be walkable once the King Charles III Coast Path is completed – but for something a little less ambitious, start with a portion of the South West Coast Path, a sea-edge stretch of this beautiful corner of Britain, from Minehead in Somerset to Poole Harbour in Dorset. 

Of course, tackling the entire 630-mile route would be a rewarding thing to do, but if you’re strapped for time, you can simply walk a section of the wonderful Devonshire coast. The part of the path that runs between Hope and Salcombe is thought by many to be the most scenic of the entire course, taking in the South Devon National Landscape’s sandy coves and rolling hills, and the mica schist rock formations near Soar Mill Cove. At the same time, while kestrels and peregrine falcons swoop overhead around Bolt Tail.

Fine-dining indulgence and wellness may not always go hand in hand, but as the old adage goes, everything in moderation. The Lake District is one of the most foodie-friendly parts of the country, with incredible, innovative restaurants all over, from the famous L’Enclume by chef Simon Rogan, which has three Michelin stars, to the creative Lake Road Kitchen in Ambleside, the ambitious project of the young chef James Cross. Provenance has never been more important – so if you care about where your food comes from as much as what it tastes like, a foraging trip can help you learn all about your favourite ingredients. It’s advisable to go out with a local guide or chef to help identify species of mushroom, the abundant (at the right time of the year) wild garlic and herbs you may never have heard of.

Even when you take food out of the equation, the fells of the Lake District are sure to boost your wellness levels – for a challenge, hike Scafell Pike, the highest peak in England. It makes for the perfect combination of indulgence and effort. 

Paddle-boarding has become so popular that it’s hard to go near a body of water these days without seeing someone doing it. In fact, it’s now so commonplace along the River Stour in Christchurch that there’s often even a floating traffic jam. Further east towards Mudeford Spit, it’s just as favoured – and guests at Harbour Hotel Christchurch will find themselves in the perfect location for trying their hand at the sport. The backdrop doesn’t get much better than this, with calm waters aiding your stability and a historic quay to admire as you go. 

Mudeford is famous for its colourful beach huts, which now sell for silly amounts of money – and it isn’t hard to see why this sleepy seaside community is home to such eye-watering real estate. Once you’ve paddle-boarded across to Mudeford Spit, you can sit back on the beach to relax and gaze out across your beautiful surroundings. All that paddle-boarding is hungry work – treat yourself afterwards to a delicious seafood supper at The Jetty, where the fish is so fresh, it may have even come from the water you’ve just been out on.

Another huge wellness trend recently has been wild swimming, largely spearheaded by the motivational speaker and extreme athlete Wim Hof. You might need some encouragement – the English Channel is not the Mediterranean, after all – but few look back once they’ve tried. Converts become devout to the practice, reporting increased levels of alertness, improved mood and better focus as just some of the benefits. 

Of course, you could stay put at the HarSPA and keep warm in the sauna, but the hardened will love the invigorating feel of wild swimming out in the open. Local spots near Harbour Hotel Sidmouth include Sidmouth Town Beach, Ladram Bay (which is famed for its sea stacks), Pounds Pool Beach and the River Otter. We guarantee you’ll be shopping for wetsuits, neoprene shoes and Dryrobes in no time. 

This wellness trend has a confusing name, which can alienate it – in reality, it has nothing to do with bathing but everything to do with immersion. It’s about fully communing with the forest and feeling at one with nature. Participants are encouraged to touch (yes, even hug) the trees and foliage, listen to the sounds of the woods and stay grounded and mindful in the moment. It’s all about appreciating the natural world, which can so often slip our minds in busy urban settings. And it doesn’t cost a penny!

From Harbour Hotel Southampton, the New Forest is just a 15-minute drive away. Despite the name, it isn’t new at all – in fact, the oaks, beeches and yews here are hundreds of years old. Simply leave the tech behind and take a moment to enjoy the stillness and silence among the leaves. The relaxing practice has been shown to help lower blood pressure and stress levels, improve mood and self-esteem, and even boost your memory and creativity.