Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa in the UK’s Lake District has introduced an adults-only spa package that allows guests to make the most of the wildlife park that exists on its grounds.

The 400-acre estate is known for its wellness retreats, which involve forest bathing for mindfulness, sound healing, nature walks and it was even an early adopter of scream therapy. 

Guests booking the Herdy Half Spa Day will receive refreshments on arrival at the Lake District Wildlife Park and take part in a 30-minute meet-and-greet with Herdwick and Hebridean sheep, dwarf zebu (a kind of cattle) and alpacas. 

The Lake District Wildlife Park ranges across 24 acres and is home to more than 100 species of wild and domestic animals.

Lorela Movileanu, spa manager at Armathwaite Hall, told Spa Business: “Animals have a unique ability to calm your nervous system and relax your mind. Spending time around these gentle creatures will ensure guests finish the experience rejuvenated and feeling at peace.”

The rest of the experience includes a two-course lunch at one of the property’s less formal dining venues, The Grill. They can then visit the spa for two hours.

The Spa at Armathwaite Hall is set across two floors. It has a range of pools of different depths, an indoor thermal suite, an exercise studio, a gym and two relaxation rooms.

Treatments in one of the ten treatment rooms can be booked on top of the half-day package price of £115 (US$146, €134) per person.

Read a recent opinion piece by Movileanu about how the ‘skinification of hair’ is creating new opportunities for spas and how she’s integrated new Japanese head spa treatments at Armathwaite Hall.