How To Relax and Recharge in London

Outdoor swimming in London might not sound hugely relaxing, especially in the famously wet British weather, but a dip in the Parliament Hill Lido on Hampstead Heath is bound to reinvigorate you. When the sun’s shining, this is where the city’s most well-to-do residents come to cool off, and in winter it’s equally popular for bracing swims. Warm up again with a brisk hike to the heath’s highest point, where benches with views of the city skyline invite reflective moments.

“Find your calm” is the tagline at Re:Mind. This shop and studio, set in food and fashion hub Eccleston Yards, is a soothing space – think natural light woods and plenty of pot plants – from the moment you walk through the door. There are drop-in meditation classes, reiki healing sessions and even tea ceremonies. Re:Mind is a great place to restore your energy in the middle of this bustling city.

Glow Bar, a go-to wellness brand for the Duchess of Sussex, opened on Regent Street in summer 2018. The company’s founder, chef Sasha Sabapathy, was inspired to launch the company after leading a stressful, anxiety-inducing lifestyle in New York City. London’s branch has a pink café serving smoothies, healthy bowls and coffees; infrared saunas to help improve your skin, mood and sleep patterns; and a shop with a variety of skincare products and adaptogenic supplements. There’s also an on-site cognitive hypnotherapist.

Eating out in London needn’t be an unhealthy affair. Redemption Bar is a breath of fresh air – and vegetables. Its all-vegan menu, which is also free from wheat and refined sugar, features healthy takes on bolognese, burgers and pasta, as well as a host of colourful salads. Plus, you won’t be tempted to overindulge on the drinks: there’s not a cocktail, pint of beer or glass of wine in sight; there are, however, some fantastic mocktails.

With a large population of Turks, it’s no surprise that London has a number of hammams (traditional Turkish baths). Head south of the river to Pasha Spa for an afternoon of Middle Eastern pampering. The spa’s 90-minute hammam packages include a herbal steam session, full-body scrubs and a soap massage or body mask, plus Turkish delight and tea to finish. Pasha’s large, white-marble hammam room is big enough to fit four, so it’s a great place to unwind with friends.

If yoga is your bag, KXU is the place to go. This multifaceted fitness venue has various drop-in classes to make you sweat, including a fast-paced vinyasa flow session backed by upbeat music. There’s a medi-spa offering classic treatments, as well as an infrared sauna and a cryotherapy chamber, which is chilled to a cool -85C (-121F) and can help with recovery after a hardcore workout. The café serves all manner of healthy, protein-packed post-workout plates and smoothies.

Traditional and tranquil Japanese landscaping makes the Kyoto Garden in West London’s Holland Park a relaxing place to spend an afternoon. A large, rocky pond, with koi flitting about its waters and a bridge across its middle, sits in the garden’s centre surrounded by colourful flowers, shrubs and trees. A small waterfall provides a calming soundtrack, stone lanterns are dotted around and, in autumn, the trees create a fiery display as they turn shades of red, orange and yellow.

It’s important to stay somewhere that helps you unwind and recharge, too. Pullman London St Pancras Hotel has a premium 24/7 gym and sauna with panoramic views of St Pancras station. Guests and non-guests alike can join Pullman Running Club – the hotel’s athlete-inspired running club – which passes a number of iconic London landmarks including Regent’s Park on its route.