The Pioneer Spas: Champneys Tring

Still situated in its original location of Hertfordshire, England, just 45 minutes from London, Champneys Tring was established in 1925 by naturopath Sir Stanley Lief.

“Sir Stanley Lief was a daring and pioneering healer,” Sharon Scott, spokesperson for Champneys Health Resorts, told SpaFinder. “He developed a considerable following with his idea of alternative medicine. This approach is still recognizable today through his insistence on a healthy diet and exercise.”

It’s also a path to vitality that’s been quite successful: The Champneys Health Resorts group has since grown to include Champneys Henlow in Bedfordshire (1981), Champneys Forest Mere in Hampshire (1998) and Champneys Springs in Leicestershire (1990).

Spa for Everyone

Once the domain of the rich and famous, Champneys is now a truly aspirational brand; “affordable luxury accessible to all,” Scott says of the most significant changes for the health resort over the past 25 years. And with increased interest in health and wellbeing, many more people are now following a healthy lifestyle. “People are generally busier and need to take time out to recharge their batteries,” she explains. “The spa is the perfect answer, [offering] time to get away from the pressures of everyday life and relax and be pampered. It can also be the ideal opportunity to spend time with close friends, partners or family.”

Groundbreaking Treatments

Champneys has developed many new treatments over the years, “from its nourishing mud room to its indulgent chocolate wrapper,” Scott tells us. Their newest treatment is the cryotherapy chamber. “It was created in Poland and is now available in the U.K.,” says Scott. “It’s very cold, at a temperature of -135 degrees, and is good for sleep deprivation, general aches and pains, general wellbeing, multiple sclerosis, fertility and more.”

A New Spa Cusine

Champneys spa cuisine has also evolved. “Spa cuisine is now extremely varied, tasty and far removed from the carrot juice and lettuce leaves of the past. We have executive chefs using natural and local ingredients to create healthy, nutritionally balanced and tasty menus.” Jettisoning the spa cusines of old, with their strict guidelines and regimentation, Champneys welcomes its guests to have more input into what they eat and “the general ethos is moderation,” Scott points out.

Moving forward, we can expect Champneys Tring to continue to offer the latest health and leisure facilities, mastermind new treatments, and offer relaxing and tranquil surroundings for the spa-goer.

Our 25th Anniversary Celebration continues with more Spa Nostalgia Slideshows >

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