It seems that now more than ever, a sense of escapism and the opportunity to reset – often somewhere remote – is the number one motivator when booking a getaway.
The physical and mental benefits of retreating into nature are not only proven but celebrated, and Glass House Wellness Retreat & Spa offers the perfect place to experience them first hand. We experienced meditation, cryotherapy, swimming in a natural pool, an amazing massage, relaxing in the outdoor hot tub and sauna, and surviving two minutes in a 3°c ice bath!
An hour away, a world apart
Countryside escapes that are both close to central London and take less than an hour to reach are something of a prized commodity for city dwellers. Glass House in Essex is such a thing: roughly 15 miles from central London and situated across a seven-acre site surrounded by fields and isolated from busy roads and noise.
Glass House has just launched Modern Reset – a new package designed to help guests recharge, refocus, and optimise their wellbeing through purposeful practices that build both mental and physical resilience with contrast therapy being at the core of the experience.
Guests are encouraged to immerse themselves fully – swapping the demands of daily life for a programme that provides both challenge and calm. The bravest can even try a digital detox by voluntarily locking their phones in a sealed box with a timer in the room.
Ice bath experience
You are invited to discover the profound connection between your breathing, mind, and the therapeutic power of cold water with the ice bath experience.
To prepare yourself for the challenge a breathwork class unlocks the incredible potential of your mind to resist lower temperatures. This transformative practice commences with guided breathwork sequences in the studio, setting the stage for your immersion into the ice-cold 3°c bath.
You then spend two minutes in the bath applying what you’ve just learned, under the supervision of brilliant Justin, who guides you through the process from start to finish.
Now this isn’t easy and the moment you sink down into the water the fight-or-flight response kicks in. Overcoming the first 10 seconds is the hardest part but by using the breathwork technique, very soon you feel calm and in control. By the end of the two minutes there’s a huge feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction.
The coolest experience
Another cold experience at Glass House is the cryotherapy chamber. It might sound ominous and it’s much colder than the ice bath at a brisk -110°c, but it’s a lot more fun! With such extreme temperatures you would expect to be covered up like an Eskimo – but no – it’s swim wear with gloves, headband, face mask and Crocs.
Stepping into what is essentially a small walk-in freezer, energising music of your choosing starts blasting to keep you actively moving (or dancing) and distracted from the encompassing sub-zero breeze.
When the cold descends, your brain redirects blood to your extremities to maintain your core temperature. As the blood recirculates through the cardiovascular system, it’s cleansed of inflammatory enzymes and toxins and replenished with oxygen, nutrients and red blood cells.
5 minutes is spent inside the chamber – or one and a half songs – then you can escape to warmth. Despite the temperature being significantly colder than the ice bath, because it’s air not liquid it doesn’t hit as hard.
The power of cold
The cold triggers blood vessels to rapidly contract and expand, creating what scientists compare to a full-body workout for our vascular system, as a result, 400 calories were burned while fighting the cold!
However, contrast therapy goes beyond the physical benefits (alternating between cold and heat). It’s scientifically proven that thermal contrast doesn’t just boost the immune system and cardiovascular health, it triggers a flood of dopamine and endorphins to create that amazing natural high.
From sauna to serenity
When the sun is shining, the outdoor terrace is an unbeatable spot for guests lounging in white robes on sunbeds surrounded by serene nature. The main draw though is the spa facilities – a 22m indoor heated pool, steam room and Himalayan salt block sauna.
The spa menu ranges from 30-minute treatments, including facials and skin consulting sessions, to lengthy two-hour treatments for a full mind and body escape. The tension tamer back massage we had was intense and thorough, but also so relaxing – we didn’t want it to end.
Other facilities worth seeking out include an outdoor natural swimming pool and rustic Finnish sauna. The hot tub outside is the beating heart of the complex but you’ll always find time to enjoy it alone.
Fitness and meditation
Before turning in for the night, head to the outdoor wellness dome for guided meditation and relaxing breathwork. Inside the glass dome, sink into the comfy bean bags and wrap up warm with a blanket while being immersed in darkness and tranquillity. It rained when we did this, so it was extra cosy.
In the morning work up a sweat with a session in the fully loaded gym followed by a goal setting workshop. There is a daily schedule packed with activities and classes like yoga and aquarobics.
Integral to the retreat are nutritional menus in the café restaurant to fuel your days and power your bodies to perform at their best. Grab a coffee, light snack or dinner with wine if you fancy. Throughout the day there is complimentary Psyllium Husk – a highly soluble source of fibre that supports healthy digestion.
Sleep easy
Glass House offers modern, minimalist rooms designed for deep rest and relaxation. The interiors are light-filled and uncluttered, with soft neutral tones and clean lines that reflect the retreat’s holistic wellness ethos. Each space feels calm and restorative, encouraging guests to unwind completely away from everyday distractions.
Rooms feature luxurious beds, eco-friendly spa toiletries, plush robes, and thoughtful touches such as herbal teas and natural light. Every room is en-suite and equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi, yet the emphasis remains on digital detox and tranquillity. Some rooms overlook the surrounding countryside, which is lovely to wake up to when you activate the automatic window blinds.
Modern Reset can be tailored to various lengths. If you don’t have plans to stay, then a day spa pass is perfect for solo or a couple that wants to enjoy the expansive and quick recharge.
Glass House Retreat is located far from the stress of daily life but within an hour of London, is a full holistic experience and has everything you need on site. It’s the perfect wellness-escape.
More information about Glass House Wellness Retreat & Spa and its programmes can be found here.
Image credits: © Glass House Retreat
