You’ve gorged until your muffin top looks like a spare tyre; you’ve drunk so much booze, you’re in a constant state of dehydration; and the rings around your eyes could be mistaken for flying saucers. Welcome to another post-festive slump. By this stage, your body will be crying out for some TLC. To help you stick to your new year’s resolutions – for the first month at least – here are our best UK health breaks.
Military Fitness, Weymouth
What: Be put through your paces by burly fatigue-clad army types during this five-night course aimed at giving you a merciless kick up the arse. Weymouth is a quintessential English seaside town, with a quaint harbour and lots of places for a sneaky bag of fish ‘n’ chips. But don’t expect to have time for that. You’ll be up at the crack of dawn to take on the day’s onslaught of non-stop, hardcore activity. Think battle marches, running drills, shuttle sprints, obstacle courses. And that’s all before a healthy lunch of baked, wheat-free vegetable tarts. Yum.
Activity level: 5/5. Take an extra few days off to recover.
Price: Five-night course from £495pp based on two sharing.
See: militaryfitnessbootcamp.co.uk
Thermal Spa, Bath
What: Spend hours wallowing in Bath’s mineral-rich waters, which for hundreds of years have been revered for their therapeutic and restorative properties. The Somerset city is steeped in history, so, in between getting pampered, check out its Roman baths, the abbey and the magnificent Georgian architecture. Stay at the Hilton Bath City Hotel and you’ll get a free dip in the Thermae Bath Spa, as well as access to its roof-top pool and steam rooms, plus dinner and breakfasts. It’ll be a detox for the mind, as well as the body.
Activity level: 1/5. Lie back and think of nothing.
Price: £153pp based on two sharing a twin room.
See: hilton.com/bath
Surfing, Newquay
What: Being healthy doesn’t have to mean being dull. Head to Newquay, the surf capital of the UK, and fill your days with blood-pumping activities as you force every last trace of alcohol out of your system. Wake up every cell in your body and ride the icy waves of Fistral Bay while toning muscles you never knew you had. Then, spend an afternoon traversing narrow cliff ledges, exploring smugglers’ caves and plunging into the wintry water in a coasteering adventure. After all that excitement, you’ll need to chill out. Discover your inner calm with yoga classes and a facial at the Bay Hotel.
Activity level: 5/5. You’re going to ache.
Price: Two days surfing: £80. Half-day coasteering: £40. Double room at The Bay Hotel: from £55pn.
See: newquayactivitycentre.co.uk; newquay-hotels.co.uk
Chilling, Perthshire
What: If you’re jumping on the wagon, make sure it’s with friends, otherwise it can be a lonely ride. Grab some mates and head north, away from the temptation of city life, and on to the secluded banks of Loch Voil in Lochearnhead, Perthshire. You’ll sleep in The Lovestruck, a converted horse truck which looks like a cross between an old-fashioned gypsy caravan and a quaint country cottage. Spend your days ambling around the tranquil lock and Heathcliff-esque glens. Book in for yoga, meditation, life coaching and body and emotional ‘clearing therapies’ at nearby sister hotel Monachlye Mhor, for some ultimate ‘me’ time.
Activity level: 2/5. Nice and easy. You won’t strain anything.
Price: Lovestruck sleeps four from £125pn.
See: canopyandstars.co.uk
Juicing, Hampshire
What: This’ll be a shock to the system after all those late-night kebabs and greasy hangover fry-ups. Spend three days surviving on nothing but juices and smoothies to cleanse your system and give your strained digestive system a break. It might be a little bit pricey, but this stunning health farm is located in the sleepy town of Liphook, which boasts more scenic walking routes than you can shake your trainers at. ‘Food’ and accommodation are included in the cost, as are two spa treatments, access to all 20+ daily exercise classes and the sauna, steam room and pool.
Activity level: 1/5. Energy levels will dip.
Price: £314pp based on two sharing a twin.
See: champneys.com
Words: Carol Driver
