The Lakes By Yoo

You’ve soothed your soul with a treatment. You’ve relaxed your spirit in the gorgeous indoor pool with its sumptuous thermal facilities. Now it’s time to nurture the health of your body, and The Lakes by Yoo has everything you need to help you do just that.
There’s a state-of-the-art fitness suite crammed with the latest TechnoGym equipment and a studio for classes offering everything from yoga to bootcamps. But if that doesn’t float your exercise boat, why not get out into nature?

At this calming retreat, the emphasis is on reconnecting with the outdoors as you move naturally - something that feels easy in the stunning Cotswolds countryside, In the summer months, there are freshwater lakes for wild swimming, kayaking and paddle-boarding. Feeling more adventurous? There’s a high-ropes course and climbing wall to scale - but will you brave the zip line over the lake?

Sporty types will love the tennis courts, full-size cricket net, golf practice net and football goals. But if that sounds a bit too competitive, pull on your walking boots and explore the woodland paths. There’s even a jogging trim trail with an outdoor gym to encourage you to work up a sweat as you admire the wildlife.

If focusing on your self-care has left you feeling peckish, you’re in luck, because many of the spa packages at The Lakes by Yoo also include a hearty brunch that takes place in a very glamorous gourmet haven. Cute, cosy and communal, it’s called The Lakes Bar & Kitchen and, even if your spa treat doesn’t include a meal, it’s worth stopping by to see what’s on offer.

This magical fairy-lit tipi is artfully adorned with a rustic mix of hanging plants and statement lights, while sheepskins keep you feeling warm as you admire the picture perfect views across the The Sailing Club Lake.

With a year-round calendar of events from live music to supper clubs, it serves everything from comfort food like burgers and wood-fired pizzas to healthy brunch bowls and soups.

Kick back with an expertly-mixed cocktail. Relax with a coffee or a glass of something sparkling. Enjoy a bite from the all-day menu while you sip on your favourite glass of wine. Then just sit back and watch the action - the moor hens bobbing around on the lake.

Water baby? You’ll find plenty of adventures to dive into here. The centrepiece of the spa is the heated 20-metre swimming pool lined by loungers and flanked by incredible orchard views. But during the summer months you can also try wild swimming or rent canoes and paddle boards to try watersports on the tranquil lakes.

From cosy rooms to whole self-catered houses, there are plenty of places to rest your head after your luxurious spa break. Here on a short break? Double and garden rooms are located within the Lakeside Apartments on Marley Lake, and are close to the spa and The Lakes Bar & Kitchen. If you’re here with a group, it also offers apartments of various sizes, with open-plan living rooms and log burners.

But for the ultimate Cotswolds experience try a lakeside cabin. Boasting two-bedrooms and two bathrooms they have the wow-factor in abundance, with retractable doors, eclectic artworks and entertaining decks to bring the outdoors inside.

The time you’ll check into the spa at The Lakes by Yoo depends on your package, so please check your booking before arrival. 

It’s in a former quarry in the Cotswolds, between the towns of Fairford and Lechlade-on-Thame. Both towns are well worth a visit, and boast riverside walks and quaint shops.

The Lakes by Yoo concept was created by property developer and entrepreneur John Hitchcox. John was living in London but wanted a more natural upbringing for his kids - somewhere they could play outside, explore woodland and go sailing. It was a vision shared by his business partner, the celebrated designer Philippe Starck, and they both set about creating this modern retreat in the Cotswolds.

Striving to make mindful choices yourself? You’ll be pleased to hear that The Lakes by Yoo’s eco-credentials are second to none. Winner of ‘Best Sustainable Holiday Resort for Families (UK)’ in the Marie Claire Awards 2022, sustainability is at the heart of everything they do, from rescuing farm animals to rewilding projects. The estate is maintained in a totally natural way, and they’ve also planted around 500,000 trees.

While children under 16 aren’t allowed to use the spa, The Lakes by Yoo resort is a wonderland for children, with plenty of wild adventures for them to get involved in. There’s a fun-filled kids club and a farmyard with cute rescued animals, along with a playground, zip-wire, high ropes course and a circus trapeze. 

Four-legged friends are not allowed in the spa itself, of course, but The Lakes by Yoo is fabulously dog-friendly. Well, this is the Cotswolds, after all. Pampered pooches can stay in cabins and selected lake houses where they’re provided with a complimentary dog bed and bowl. They’re welcome to curl up beside you in The Lakes Bar & Kitchen, too.

No, there’s no golf club at the The Lakes by Yoo, but there is a golf practice net so you can perfect your swing. If you love to pamper and par, the Cotswolds is home to some outstanding courses. For example, The Wychwood Golf Club Set is just 30 miles away and offers 18 challenging holes set in a parkland golf course. It’s so quiet and peaceful the only sounds you’ll hear are the birds and animals, along with the occasional thwack of a golf ball.