Irish Ferries has revealed top wellness escapes in Britain and France accessible by ferry from Dublin or Rosslare. Destinations curated by Nora Costello, Consumer Marketing and Sales Director at Irish Ferries, include
From Rosslare to Pembroke
- The Dreaming, Rhydoldog House, Rhayader. Two hours and 30 minutes from Pembroke Dock, The Dreaming offers weekly three-night Signature Retreats, held throughout the year from Tuesday to Friday or Friday to Monday. Owned by Charolotte Church and designed as a gentle return to balance, these immersive retreats encourage guests to digitally detox and reconnect with themselves and nature. There are many activities to enjoy, including group hikes, stargazing, journalling, meditation and sound-healing. Set among tranquil forests, waterfalls, and unspoilt landscapes, the experience blends mindful practices, connection to the land, nourishing food, and ancient healing traditions.
- St Brides Spa Hotel, Pembrokeshire, Wales Less than 30 minutes from Pembroke Dock, St Brides Spa Hotel is a four-star coastal retreat overlooking Carmarthen Bay. The hotel features an outdoor hydrotherapy pool, floor-to-ceiling sea views, and a spa menu inspired by the restorative power of the ocean. When not unwinding in the spa, guests can step directly onto the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, which runs past the hotel, offering bracing sea air and dramatic coastal walks.
From Dublin to Holyhead
- Buxton Crescent, Derbyshire, England A 2 hour 35 minute drive from Holyhead, Ensana spa at The Buxton Crescent hotel delivers an authentic thermal spa experience in the heart of the Peak District. Guests can swim in mineral-rich thermal waters, experience carbon dioxide-infused pools designed to improve circulation, and enjoy underwater jet massages to ease muscle tension. The spa also features an outdoor hydrotherapy pool with sweeping views across the surrounding countryside. The hotel hosts a range of health and wellness retreats and workshops throughout the year, including yoga retreats, weightloss and detox retreats and restorative retreats.
- The Tawny Hotel, Staffordshire Moorlands, England Under three hours from Holyhead, The Tawny Hotel is a luxury nature retreat set across 70 acres of gardens, woodland, and lakeshores. Described as a “deconstructed hotel,” The Tawny features 55 individually designed treehouses, huts and boathouses, – each with private decking and outdoor spa baths. Guests can enjoy a heated outdoor pool, refined dining at The Plumicorn restaurant, and bespoke treatments at GAIA at The Tawny, a thatched cottage spa offering single and couple massages. The estate’s winding pathways invite peaceful walks through wetlands and woodland, while neighbouring Consall Nature Park offers birdwatching, nature trails, and panoramic views.
From Dublin to Cherbourg
- La Grée Des Landes, Eco-Hôtel Spa Yves Rocher, Brittany, France Three hours and 15 minutes from Cherbourg, The Yves Rocher Eco-Hotel Spa is a 4-star spa hotel in the heart of Brittany with a key focus on wellness. The hotel offers an extensive wellness programme including aquaarobics, yoga, Pilates and breathwork. The hotel features a heated infinity pool and spa with walking trails winding through the grounds of the hotel and surrounding woodlands.
- Maison Douce Époque, Normandy, France This five-star spa hotel is two hours from Cherbourg port. The spa offers a tailor-made experience, rooted in nature and open to the sea, a veritable sensory voyage revolving around the five senses. The hotel also offers a traditional hammam experience and heated jacuzzi. An outdoor tennis courts and fitness room are also available, while woodland parks and coastal walks are all a short distance away.
