The Forest Spa opens at The Cottage in the Wood in the Malvern Hills
A hot tub with countryside views, a sauna session and a three-course lunch: The Cottage in the Wood has added a new reason to linger in the Malvern Hills.
The Worcestershire country house hotel, The Cottage in the Wood, has launched The Forest Spa, an indoor-outdoor wellness space inspired by the area’s famous spring water. With a relaxation garden, massage treatments and the option to pair a spa visit with lunch or afternoon tea, it brings together a countryside escape and something good to eat. (You can read about our visit earlier this year here)
A new spa with Malvern Hills views
Set in the hills above Malvern, The Forest Spa makes the most of its surroundings. From the outdoor hot tub, guests can take in wooded hills and views across the Severn Valley towards the Cotswolds.
Inside, natural textures, soft colours and light-filled spaces set the scene for a slower pace. Outside, a relaxation garden with a fire pit offers somewhere to settle between dips.
A fresh chapter in Malvern’s spa-town story
Malvern’s relationship with water goes back well beyond the arrival of hot tubs. During the 19th century, doctors James Wilson and James Gully helped establish the town’s reputation for the Victorian Water Cure, attracting visitors including Charles Darwin and Charles Dickens.
The historic regime combined water treatments with a strict diet and walking in the hills. The Forest Spa takes inspiration from that local heritage, with warmth, water and time outdoors central to its modern offering.
Malvern’s Holy Well is around five minutes’ walk from the spa, while the cold-water plunge pool uses the area’s famous local water.
Things to Do in Great Malvern: Attractions, Cafes, Walks & Hidden Gems
What facilities are at The Forest Spa?
The Forest Spa includes:
– An outdoor hot tub.
– A sauna.
– A cold-water plunge pool.
– An indoor relaxation room.
– A relaxation garden with a fire pit.
– Treatment rooms offering a selection of massages.
Guests can alternate between the sauna and cold-water plunge pool as part of the spa’s self-guided Nordic-style experience, or simply enjoy a soak and some quiet time.
Massage treatments cost extra and, at launch, are available on Saturdays. See the spa treatment menu for the options.
Spa days with lunch or afternoon tea
The hotel’s Brasserie serves seasonal British dishes, with menus taking inspiration from the surrounding countryside. Non-resident spa visits are scheduled to launch on 15 November 2026, with two packages announced:
Spa and lunch Spa access and a three-course set-menu lunch in The Brasserie From £59 per person
Spa and afternoon tea Spa access and afternoon tea instead of lunch £60 per person
Both packages include use of the hot tub, sauna, cold-water plunge pool, indoor relaxation room and relaxation garden. Treatments can be booked separately.
A soak followed by a leisurely lunch sounds like a pleasant way to spend an autumn afternoon, while the afternoon tea option offers an alternative for those planning their visit around tea and treats.
Spa access for overnight guests
The Forest Spa has initially opened to hotel guests during its soft launch.
A 90-minute spa session is included for guests staying in the hotel’s Best and Great room categories. Those booking Very Good, Classic or Cosy rooms can add spa access from £25 per person.
For anyone planning a Malvern Hills hotel break, it offers the prospect of a walk in the surrounding countryside, a warming soak and dinner without having to head elsewhere.
How to book
Find out more or book through The Cottage in the Wood and its Forest Spa page, or call 01684 588860.
