Aqua Sana Forest Spa in Sherwood Forest, where the UK spa brand began

Sherwood Forest is famous for legends, but it is also where one of the UK's best-known spa brands began. The first Aqua Sana opened at Center Parcs Sherwood Forest in 1987, the same year the village became the first Center Parcs in the UK.

Nearly four decades on, the spa has grown into a woodland retreat that welcomes holidaymakers and day visitors alike. Hidden among the pines, Aqua Sana Forest Spa at Sherwood Forest houses 25 spa experiences inspired by nature, set around a heated open-air courtyard pool surrounded by trailing greenery.

The star attraction is the Treetop Sauna, which offers panoramic views over the forest canopy. Elsewhere guests can feel invigorated in the Volcanic Mists or enjoy the Salt Steam Room, and free staff-led Wellbeing Sessions on self-care and relaxation run several times a day. There are 21 treatment rooms for facials, massages and body treatments, and the Vitalé Café Bar is reached directly from inside the spa.

Investment has kept the spa fresh. A £3 million refurbishment was completed in April 2017, and Center Parcs later spent almost £14 million transforming its spas at Sherwood, Longleat and Longford into its forest spa concept. In October 2024 the brand renamed itself Aqua Sana Forest Spa to reflect the woodland setting of all its locations.

"Over the last five years, we've been transforming a number of our spas into our Forest Spa concept," director of spa Stuart Angus said at the time. The brand now has six spas across the UK and Ireland, and Sherwood remains where the story started.

The spa describes itself as 5 Bubble rated and points out that it is close to Nottingham, Mansfield and Worksop, making it a handy escape for locals as well as guests staying in the village.

This autumn, a limited-edition Autumn Indulgence Spa Day includes full spa access, a 25-minute Autumn Glow Facial, lunch and a drink, while shorter morning, afternoon tea and twilight escapes suit a quicker visit.

Spa days, treatments and current offers can be booked on the Aqua Sana website.