Lime Wood & Herb House Spa
Hampshire, England
Price Guide
Features
- Couples
- Family Friendly
- Going Solo
- Outdoors
- Pets Welcome
- Retreat
- Super-luxe
- Wellness
Spa
- Hydrotherapy
- Pool
- Spa Café
- Thermal Facilities
To Do
- Bootcamp
- Cycling
- Gymnasium
- Hiking/walks
- Personal training
- Pilates
- Pool – Indoor
- Pool – Outdoor
- Yoga
Situated on the edge of the New Forest, just outside the pretty village of Lyndhurst, Lime Wood is a charming Regency house with a collection of scattered lodges, beautifully curated accommodation and top-notch dining set in enchanting landscaped grounds.
The former hunting lodge prides itself on being a little different from other boutique hotels and it does indeed differentiate from its contemporaries, with décor that includes and eclectic fusion of modern art and bespoke antique furnishings that compliment the original period features of the house.
For a truly luxurious wellness break in the heart of idyllic English countryside, Herb House Spa at Lime Wood provides state-of-the-art facilities and partners with only the finest British brands to deliver the ultimate in pampering and rejuvenating treatments.
The Spa
Herb House
Dedicated to natural wellbeing and inspired by its forest surroundings, Herb House Spa is set in a walled garden opposite the main house. Set over three levels, its state-of-the-art facilities include an indoor forest-view hydro pool, a huge sauna, a mud ritual house, an outdoor hot pool and a 16m ozone-treated indoor lap pool.
A Matt Roberts rooftop gym equipped by Technogym is complemented by a workout studio offering a range of fitness classes. In addition, guests can access the Bath House, with its indoor treatment bath and private steam room, and the Bath Garden, which has its own outdoor garden bath and private steam room.
Botanicals grown in the sensory rooftop herb garden are used to create rejuvenating treats in the Raw & Cured food bar, while a Hand and Feet room provides mani-pedi experiences using OPI’s fashion-forward and super rich formulas.
Eight spacious single treatment rooms and two double rooms offer an extensive range of Herb House signature massages, treatments and rituals as well as a host of relaxing and restorative treatments by renowned product partners.
Bamford body and skincare treatments include a de-stress massage and the Rose Relaxing Upper Body and Facial Massage, while its facials ‘Awaken’, ‘Restore’ and provide ‘Purity’. The Bamford Grooming Department offers also offers premium body and skincare rituals for the modern man.
Skinesis facials from Sarah Chapman deliver healthy, radiant skin through a combination of the renowned facialist’s signature massage techniques, state-of-the-art technology and potent cosmeceutical formulas.
Mineral-packed products from Irish organic seaweed-based brand VOYA are used to deliver the brand’s Self-discovery Radiance and Anti-ageing Restorative facials
Spa Facilities
- 22,000 sq ft on 3 floors
- 8 single treatment rooms
- 2 private double treatment rooms
- Hydropool
- The Mud House
- The Massive Forest Sauna
- The Steam Room
- The Outdoor Steaming Hot Pool
- Indoor swimming pool opening onto the garden sun terrace
- Rooftop herbary with sun deck and meditation areas
- The Workout Studio
- State-of-the-art Technogym
- Raw & Cured – offering natural healthy and garden grown food and juices
- Curated shop
Spa Products
- Bamford
- Skinesis
- VOYA
- OPI
To Stay
Tucked up in the top of the main house, Eaves Rooms offer super-king-size beds and look out over the grounds; Cosy Rooms are light and airy with luxuriously large baths, while uniquely designed Spacious Rooms offer walk-in showers and the even larger Generous Rooms are equipped with freestanding baths.
Beautifully decorated Forest Suites, some of which are set out over two floors, offer super-king-size or twin beds as well as separate shower rooms and lounge areas, while the Forest Hideaway Suites have additional small dining areas and private terraces or balconies.
The largest suites available, the Pavilion One and Crescent 3 Forest Lodges are perfect for a romantic escape and are equipped with everything you need to make your stay secluded and super-special.
Families are catered for in the rustic Forest Cabin and Forest Cottages, where a host of luxuries – from open fires to monsoon showers and rolltop baths – combine with practical essentials to add a sense of adventure to your break.
Check out: 12:00 pm
To Eat
The food scene at Lime Wood is in a league of its own and few dishes are put together without a decent helping of fruit, veg or seafood from the New Forest or Hampshire coast – not to mention homegrown produce from Lime Wood’s own modern-Victorian Greenhouse
Italian-influenced and full of character, Lime Wood’s Hartnett Holder & Co is a stylish and comfortable restaurant led by celebrity chef Angela Hartnett and Lime Wood’s Luke Holder. The relaxed atmosphere extends to a Kitchen Table dining experience as well as afternoon teas and even a cookery school.
Raw & Cured, the food bar in Herb House Spa, offers delicious, natural and healthy food, including freshly made salads, cured fish and meat from Lime Wood’s own Smoke House, as well as fresh juices and smoothies.
Facilities and Activities
- Running trail maps
- Swimming pool and gym in the Herb House
- Cycling & mountain biking
- Horse riding at the neighbouring stables
- Forest Walks in the forest with Head Forager to gather ingredients for the kitchen
For the Kids
If kiddies are present there are mountain bikes aplenty so families are able to explore the New Forest together.
Getting There
Brockenhurst Station – SO42 7TW – 12 mins – 5 miles
Ashurst Station – SO40 7AA – 9 mins – 4 miles
Southampton Train Station – SO15 1AL – 22 mins – 10 miles
Bournemouth Train Station – BH8 8HX – 34 mins – 25 miles

Eaves

Cosy

Spacious

Generous

Forest Suites

Forest Hideaway Suites

Forest Lodges

Forest Cottages & Cabin

Lake Cabin

Pavilion One

Pavilion Two

Pavilion Three
Review by Lucy Coghlan.
Where wild horses (celebrities and the occasion royal) roam, the New Forest in all its natural beauty is idyllic whatever reason or season you travel. It goes without saying Lime Wood is the destination of choice for all of the above. The boutique spa hotel, situated in Lyndhurst, is the best example of what modern English spa hotels have to offer.
I mean, are you even living an Austen-esque country escape fantasy without the compulsory winding gravel drive that whimsically announces your arrival? The swooping drive, accented by ‘Easy Now’ road signs, (perhaps warning of speed bumps or wild horses, but I like to think it offers you an insight into the peace and tranquillity awaiting you), is a perfect piece of theatre to reveal Lime Woods regency style exterior in all its imposing glory.
However, from your first step across the threshold, you come to realise that this formidable country house is far removed from the assumed stuffiness expected of such grandeur. The interior is a welcoming eclectic mix of antiques, paying homage to its place in history, and bespoke contemporary pieces that add splashes of vibrant colour, texture and jovial personality. The staff are down to earth and without exception genuinely passionate about their roles and the overarching ethos of Lime Wood. It’s the happy marriage of understated elegance and the luxury service that makes it the go to choice for those in the know. I kid you not I bumped into an A list movie star in the boot room within 2 minutes of check in, selecting a Hunters from their extensive collection. How perfect is that story on all levels?
Herb House
Even without everything the main house has to offer, I would walk from London (barefoot, over hot coals, or whatever biblical challenges sent my way) for the spa alone. Set over 3 storeys, Herb House seamlessly incorporates the beauty of its surroundings with luxurious craftsmanship and the very latest hi tech offerings.
Special mention goes to the indoor Hydro Pool whose infinity edges and endless windows invite in the forest scenery, offering a place for meditative relaxation or at very least the opportunity for the perfect Instagram picture, depending on your disposition.Herb House is any spa enthusiasts dream with hot pools, thermal rooms (the Forest Sauna, the Steam House, the Mud House, the Caldarium) and the Hands and Feet Room for manicures and pedicures. The private soak baths in changing rooms are reminiscent of decadent bedroom suites fit for royalty (be it of Hollywood or Winsor descent). Whilst having oodles to offer even the most active of spa-goers, it retains the attention to detail and intimacy of a boutique experience.
I am a huge fan of what I am newly coining the ‘destination gym’, thankfully the leisure industry is getting savvy, no long are their gyms depressing afterthoughts tucked away unloved in a grim basement corner. If I am going to be so saintly as to work out whilst away, I deserve a heavenly view. Herb house delivers just this, looking over the roof top herb garden and a little further afield majestic scenes of the New Forest, somehow the workout felt easier. I have a romantic notion it was the calming effects of the lavender wafting in through the open window.
The Treatment
Beauty industry enthusiasts have been raving about Bamford for a while now, with their all natural organic ingredients they are fast (and deservedly so) taking over the luxury market as we turn away from parabens and illegible ingredient lists. Herb House has the honour of being the first spa outside of their original Gloucestershire home to be able to feature their treatments.
As their biggest fan, naturally I chose the Bamford Body Signature Treatment, which was a whopping great 2 hours of pure essential oil powered bliss! Starting with a full body exfoliation using Bamfords Body Polish (the aromas of rosemary, lemon and cedar offer a balance of invigorating and soothing notes), followed by a full body massage for which you select your own oils to best reflect your mood.
The whole experience culminates in the soothing head massage; I challenge you to leave the snugness of the treatment room without a blissed out smile and that happy ever so slightly spacey look behind the eyes.
To Stay
The Lime Wood team know about the importance of first impressions, on my arrival to the Coach House 2, not only was the fire already roaring, but we entered to the dulcet tones of their specially selected playlist, huge ticks on all sensory levels.
Set off slightly from the main building its style fluidly follows the hotels lead, over two levels the 1-bedroom suites soft neutral tones were the perfect combination of homely and indulgent. Conceived perhaps with A star privacy in mind, you have access to a private garden overlooking your own little piece of the forest
To Eat
The heart of Lime Wood is their restaurant, Hartnett Holder & Co, a deliciously dark and sumptuous affair. The menu is a lovingly curated selection of locally sourced dishes; they are proud to boast their own forager, who scours the forest for the freshest and finest produce.
As always paying homage to their environment, the menu is respectfully influenced by the season with a touch of Italian flourish for good measure. Again, this is where the Lime Wood team excel themselves in terms of service, be it talking you through the day’s specials or the rather extensive gin menu in the courtyard bar (not to be missed), such knowledge and enthusiasm is second to none. It is very much their fault you go for the extra pudding or that indulgent extra martini after dinner. Given the quality of every ingredient and craftsmanship in its construction it’s always worth it.
Don’t Miss
Borrow a pair of Hunters (celebrity experience not necessarily included but there is a good chance) and walk out into the New Forest or borrow a bicycle. Be sure to ask the concierge for a map, as with all their services, it will be specially curated to your needs and ability (or how many of last night’s cocktails you want to atone for).
From the pouting lips of Mick Jagger as succinctly as I could put it myself, when it comes to Lime Wood wild horses could not drag me away.
Stay & Spa by The Luxury Spa Edit™ 1 Night
Please note that prices are a guide and may change due to season and availability.
Includes:
- 1 night bed & breakfast for 2 people
- *Spa Concierge by The Luxury Spa Edit™
Prices starting from:
- £470 for two sharing
*Spa Concierge by The Luxury Spa Edit™ is a bespoke service tailored to our clients wishes. We can help with everything from designing a spa itinerary and booking your choice of spa treatments to booking activities and special dining experiences. Just let us know what you wish for, and our experts will do their very best to create that extra special spa break or wellness holiday – tailored for you.