olivemagazine
type: channel
link: https://www.olivemagazine.com
date: 2025-10-17T11:10:58.000Z
update period: hourly
update frequency: 1
update base: 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00
items: The UK hotel baths worth travelling for this autumn
items: Sea to spa: 9 ocean-inspired wellness experiences
items: Sauna culture around the world: seven traditions, one ritual
items: From sea to sauna, the best saunas to visit in the UK
items: Benefits of cold water swimming
items: 10 best lidos and outdoor pools in the UK

The UK hotel baths worth travelling for this autumn
type: item
date: 2025-10-17T11:10:58.000Z
creator: Freya Bromley
subject: Travel
subject: UK
description: From tubs under the stars to full spas in a hotel bathroom, these are the perfect relaxing escapes
encoded: As the clocks change and evenings draw in, the shift from autumn to winter pulls us two ways: our bodies crave hibernation while daily life demands we keep going. Now more than ever, we need ways to wind down, as nearly one in three of us report lower mood and heightened stress as the days shorten. The antidote? Surprisingly simple: a bath. But, for many of us, a freestanding tub remains a fantasy constrained by the realities of our home bathrooms. The promise of a proper bath is often top of the list when booking a weekend away. You're not alone if a bath is high on your accommodation must-haves: more than 60% of travellers now prioritise wellness amenities when booking, and hotel bathrooms are being transformed from functional spaces into full-blown sanctuaries. Think: gleaming copper tubs, Japanese onsen-inspired soaks or outdoor cast-iron baths where you can bathe under the stars. The ritual of a proper soak does fantastic work. It regulates circadian rhythms, lowers cortisol and triggers the release of serotonin and endorphins. Plus, it’s the kind of easy luxury many of us are really after in a hotel stay: not posh pillow menus or champagne on arrival, but space to properly relax. The evenings are drawing in and the temperature's dropping, so next time you're booking a trip, seek out a room where the bath is the main event. Here are our favourites. Copper baths There's something extra-special about copper. These burnished baths develop their own character, acquiring a unique patina over time. Copper also conducts heat beautifully, meaning it will keep your water warmer for longer. It's been synonymous with luxurious bathing since Victorian times, when gleaming tubs were polished to a mirror shine. Where to go: the huts and lakeside suites at Another Place in the Lake District have gleaming copper baths positioned as bedroom centrepieces, so you can soak (ideally after a hike) while watching the fells reflected in Ullswater. For a soak by the sea, Artist Residen…

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Sea to spa: 9 ocean-inspired wellness experiences
type: item
date: 2025-07-14T09:36:44.000Z
creator: Freya Bromley
subject: Travel
description: Fancy a spa treatment inspired by the sea? From ocean sound baths to seaweed facials, these are our pick of the best in the UK and further afield
encoded: There’s something instinctively soothing about the sea. Whether it’s the sound of waves, the mineral tang in the air or the sensation of salt on sun-warmed skin, the ocean has long been linked to both physical and mental wellbeing. Now, the natural healing properties found in seaweed, sea salt, algae and even beach pebbles are being used in a myriad ways in spas across the UK and further afield. More of us are seeking out rituals like these that reconnect us with nature, and the world of wellness is responding by embracing local sourcing, ocean-derived ingredients and low-waste, sustainable practices. Think hand-harvested kelp from in facials and Scottish seaweed wraps and Welsh sea salt scrubs. Some take a more immersive approach, such as salt pools for floating, cold seawater treatments, or the soothing sounds of waves in a beachside sauna. From wild Atlantic islands to serene Aegean retreats, here are 9 ocean-inspired spa experiences worth seeking out. For more like this, check out the best saunas to visit in the UK and the 10 best lidos and outdoor pools in the UK. 9 ocean-inspired spa experiences Brighton: Sea Salt Scrub at Field Trip Spa The gorgeously designed Guesthouse Hotel in Brighton sits right on the seafront, with bedrooms that frame the waves through sash windows and freestanding bathtubs. Tucked behind the Regency façade is Field Trip Spa, a calming, cocoon-like retreat with natural plaster walls, a light-filled upper floor and a stunning copper bath cove made for couples. The standout treatment here is the Deep Sea Scrub: a full-body ritual using mineral-rich Welsh sea salt from Halen Môn, hemp seed and adaptogenic herbs, personalised with aromatherapy to suit your mood. Mineral-rich sea salt gently exfoliates the skin, boosts circulation and helps sweep away dullness. The ritual of exfoliating with salt has roots in many coastal cultures. Ancient Egyptians are thought to have used sea salt mixed with fragrant oils to smooth and refine skin texture,…

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Sauna culture around the world: seven traditions, one ritual
type: item
date: 2025-05-22T15:17:35.000Z
creator: Freya Bromley
subject: Travel
description: From smoke saunas in Finland to Turkish baths and Japanese onsen, discover different sauna traditions around the world - and where to try them in the UK
encoded: Discover the different sauna experiences on offer around the world from expert Freya Bromley. For more like this, check out the best saunas to visit in the UK, 10 outdoor swimming spots in the UK and the best UK spa hotels. There’s more than one way to sweat. Around the world cultures have developed their own heat rituals. Some are rooted in cleansing, others in community, but all are built around the same essential idea that stepping into heat and then into cold, shifts something within us. It softens the body, clears the mind and creates a welcome space to recharge. While saunas are often seen as part of a modern wellness trend, they’ve long carried deeper cultural and emotional significance. In Finland, the sauna was once considered a sacred space. In Morocco, the hammam is where generations have gathered, and in Japan, onsen bathing is tied to purity, stillness and respect for nature. Saunas aren’t just wellness experiences but places for shared ritual. That might explain why so many people are now seeking them out. In a time when we’re more connected to our phones than to each other, these slow, physical practices offer something we’re missing: real presence, shared space and a reason to sit still together. While not all these traditions are saunas in the strictest sense, they each centre around heat, ritual and the power of purposeful pause – whether through steam, sweat or soaking. Each is rooted in a particular place but many are now being thoughtfully recreated in the UK. Here are our favourites that you can try around the world and closer to home. Finland, smoke sauna The Finnish smoke sauna or savusauna is considered the oldest (and most revered) form of sauna in Scandinavia. They’re heated by a wood-burning stove with no chimney, filling slowly with smoke over several hours, which is then aired out just before bathing. Imagine long, quiet sessions interspersed with lake plunges, sips of beer and the soft whipping of skin with vihta (bundles of birch twig…

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From sea to sauna, the best saunas to visit in the UK
type: item
date: 2025-04-30T14:47:30.000Z
creator: Freya Bromley
subject: Guides
subject: Travel
subject: UK
description: From the Outer Hebrides to Brighton, seaside saunas are popping up on beaches across the UK – these are some of the best to visit
encoded: Read wild swimming enthusiast Freya Bromley's guide to the UK's sauna culture, then check out or more like this, check out her guide to 10 outdoor swimming spots in the UK, the benefits of cold water swimming and a round-up of the best UK spa hotels. There’s nothing quite like the moment you step from the heat of a sauna and walk towards the cold sea. Skin tingles, breath sharpens, senses awaken. You feel alive. That’s the draw of contrast therapy and what keeps people returning to the simple ritual of sauna, sea, repeat. While you used to have to travel far to find experiences like these, that’s no longer the case. From the Highlands to the Kent coast, a new wave of sea-facing saunas is making it easier than ever to connect with the coastline. Some are stripped-back and remote, others come with design credentials and a few even offer sound baths and sauna rituals. What they all have in common is the thrill of stepping out of the heat and straight into the wild. Whether you’re a cold water convert or sauna curious, these ten spots provide the perfect setting for a new ritual: sea, steam and something good to eat. 10 seaside saunas to visit in the UK Sea Scrub Sauna in Margate, Kent Margate’s coastline is now home to two sea-facing saunas, each offering a different take on the hot-cold ritual. Sea Scrub Sauna sits directly on the sand, a sleek, wood-fired set-up available for private hire. Four whisky-barrel cold plunges line up beside it, or you can run straight into the sea. Alongside standard sessions, it also hosts guided sauna rituals and sound baths, pairing heat and cold with breathwork, music and intention. Nearby, the community sauna by It’s About All of Us – a free, first-come-first-served space on Walpole Bay – offers a more lowkey experience. After your plunge, warm up with seafood at Angela’s, get gelato from Melt or have a seaside picnic with fresh crab sandwiches from Mannings Seafood. Margate does food and wellness with equal flair – check out our ful…

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Benefits of cold water swimming
type: item
date: 2024-10-07T13:48:55.000Z
creator: Freya Bromley
subject: Wellbeing
subject: Premium wellbeing
description: Cold water swimming expert Freya Bromley shares how it can improve your metabolism, sleep, stress levels and more
encoded: Freya Bromley shares the benefits of cold water swimming, from improved sleep and circulation to reduced stress levels. Plus, the best things to eat before and after a cold swim for maximum health benefits. For more wellbeing guides, check out our 1o ways to boost energy and our health expert guide to serotonin – what it is and how to boost it for your health. A few years ago I was ready to try pretty much anything to make myself feel good. My brother had recently died and I was feeling lost in London. A friend invited me for a swim at Hampstead Heath Ladies' Pond and I hoped it could finally restore me in a way that yoga, running or meditation couldn’t. That first hit of cold water had me hooked and I’ve been a regular swimmer ever since. Many of my happiest memories are in the water and swimming became my way to not only stay connected to my brother but also to my childhood self. What I love about swimming and the joy of splashing around is that it’s a lot about play. It keeps you feeling young, and also keeps you young. Here I’ve written about five health benefits for immersing yourself in cold water and the science behind them. I’ve always read studies about cold water in an attempt to articulate what exactly it is that swimming does for me but nothing quite captures it. The closest I can get is that, when I swim, I’m returning to myself. You’ll just have to take my word for that benefit. What is cold water swimming? Cold water swimming is the exhilarating practice of immersing yourself in natural bodies of water. What counts as cold? Any temperatures typically below 15C, so that’s pretty much any outdoor swim in Britain. I remember feeling nervous for my first swim. It had been years since school swimming lessons (I always had a wonky front crawl) and I worried about not having the right gear, but what I quickly realised is that there are no rules when it comes to enjoying a swim. You might want to put your goggles on and front crawl or, like me, simply splash …

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10 best lidos and outdoor pools in the UK
type: item
date: 2024-09-18T16:41:57.000Z
creator: Freya Bromley
subject: Travel
subject: UK
subject: Wellbeing
subject: Great Getaways
description: Fancy going wild swimming? Freya Bromley shares the best outdoor swimming pools in the UK and where to eat to warm up afterwards
encoded: Freya Bromley, author of The Tidal Year, shares the best lidos and outdoor pools in the UK – from lidos in Brockwell and Bristol to a refreshing dip in a Lake District river and scenic tidal pools from Scotland to Cornwall. Plus, where to eat to warm up after your swim – think sourdough pizzas, natural wine and small plates or fresh seafood enjoyed with a view of the water. Freya has also shared the health benefits of cold water swimming to get you inspired. Time to start your wild swimming journey! For more like this, check out our picks of 14 small towns across the UK every foodie should visit or the best UK spa hotels for food lovers. Why I love cold water swimming To those who say they don’t like swimming because they hate the cold, I say the real thrill is in getting warm again. Whether it’s holding a hot water bottle to your chest in a lido café, enjoying a pint in front of a fire after a river swim or warming up with a hearty fish supper in a cosy seaside café – there’s nothing quite as restorative as a post-swim meal. Enjoying cold water is all about earning the reward after. Whether it's enjoying pizza by a London lido, savouring lobster in a Scottish harbour or trying a seaweed-infused breakfast in Wales, there’s no better way to soak up the benefits of a swim than with a good meal and these swims are guaranteed to satisfy your cravings for both adventure and amazing food. Here are my favourite swimming spots where you can recharge with a delicious meal after an invigorating dip. What is cold water swimming? Immersing yourself in cold water has many benefits for your body and mind. It reduces body pain and inflammation, boosts your immune system and improves circulation. Evidence suggests that with ‘cold adaptation’ through repeated exposure to cold water it’s possible to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, inhibit blood clotting and even increase your libido. Most of all, it gets you outdoors and off to amazing new places. Every swim is an adventure, an…

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