INTERIORS INSPIRATION

NATURAL beauty

South Lodge in Sussex weaves together nature, design and wellness in its spa offering. Ellen Cummings takes a closer look

Tucked into 93 acres of the Sussex countryside, South Lodge blends luxury with nature, thoughtful design and a strong focus on wellness. The 44,000sq ft spa, which opened in 2019, is at the heart of the experience. Inspired by the surrounding landscape and the botanical legacy of South Lodge’s past, the spa is a carefully curated environment that immerses guests in tranquillity from the moment they arrive. The original South Lodge house was built by British naturalist and plant collector Frederick DuCane Godman in the 1800s, and that heritage has guided the aesthetic of the spa.

Nature-led design

Ian Mackie, spa manager at South Lodge, says, “The spa is designed with botanical themed, richly textured fabrics and materials throughout. Much of the spa’s design concept has been inspired by South Lodge’s botanical history.”

The spa’s architecture and interior design have been crafted to complement the local environment rather than compete with it. The standalone building, designed by Felce & Guy Architects and interior specialist Sparcstudio, features a grass and sedum roof that blends into the surrounding woodland. Guests are welcomed into a light-filled reception space with panoramic views of the historical rhododendron gardens and the South Downs, immediately reinforcing the connection to nature.

“The spa building has been designed to embrace the natural setting, bringing the outside in and the inside out,” adds Mackie.

Materials with meaning

The use of natural textures and luxurious finishes creates a sensory journey throughout the building. In the dressing rooms, marble, etched glass and bespoke furnishings establish a calm, social atmosphere. “These are relaxing social spaces with comfy sofas, tiled ‘rugs’ and bookcases, all bespoke designed to create a club-like feel,” Mackie comments.

Perhaps the most eye-catching element is the forest green marble-lined indoor infinity pool hall, softly lit for added atmosphere.

“The ozone-treated pool is surrounded by relaxation beds with panoramic views onto the spa gardens and external pools, including a 20-metre reed-lined natural pool,” says Mackie.

Enhancing the guest journey

The flow of the building was designed with the guest journey in mind. After check-in, visitors can head directly to the treatment areas, the spa lounge and restaurant, or descend into the thermal and hydrotherapy facilities. Botanica, the spa’s restaurant, continues the sustainable and natural ethos of the spa with a flavour-packed, dairy-free and zero-waste menu.

Another standout experience is the Ridgeview Beauty Bar. “It combines a nail bar and pedicure suite which serves Ridgeview sparkling wine,” Mackie explains – a detail that adds a touch of indulgence to the spa journey.

Signature facilities

South Lodge Spa has an impressive mix of indoor and outdoor experiences to help guests meet different relaxation and fitness goals. There are 14 treatment rooms, including a couple’s suite and a rasul mud room experience, along with a post-treatment relaxation suite with sweeping views of the Downs.

The thermal offering is extensive, with an aromatic herbal bath infused with chamomile, a panoramic juniper-infused sauna with floor-to-ceiling glazing, a salt steam room, a cold-water drench and an invigorating bucket shower. Guests can unwind on curved, heated benches under an Iroko hardwood screen – just one of the many details that create an atmosphere of thoughtful luxury.

Fitness for mind and body

For guests looking to complement their spa experience with movement, South Lodge offers a gym, holistic and spin studios, and even outdoor tennis courts overlooking the vineyard.

“The gym and fitness areas feature the latest high-tech Technogym equipment with an urban retro look interior and a dedicated external fitness terrace all overlooking the spa garden,” says Mackie.

Fitness classes run up to six times a day, with options spanning from high-intensity spin sessions to restorative yoga. Members also have access to the My Wellness system, which includes pre-recorded programmes to use from home.

Outdoor escapes

The spa’s outdoor facilities bring its nature-led concept to life. The vitality hydrotherapy pool offers guests a bubbly haven with a view, while the natural swimming pool, designed by Gartenart, uses reeds and gravel for filtration rather than chemicals. For those feeling brave, a cold-water lake offers supervised swims.

Since its opening, the spa has continued to evolve, with the addition of two tennis courts in 2021 and the planting of a vineyard in 2022. In 2023, South Lodge introduced a bespoke skincare and amenity line in collaboration with British brand Pelegrims, made using grape extracts harvested from the on-site vineyard – an example of how the spa continues to deepen its connection to the land – and the cold-water lake opened in summer 2024.