Revitalised, nourished, refreshed: travellers, increasingly, list these qualities as a top priority when on holiday. Gone are the days of sticky sun lotion-fingers, snappy interactions, puffy bags under the eyes; as wellbeing and health emerge as a primary concern for travellers, the first place to which the travel industry should turn its gaze is Britain – a destination offering natural beauty, culinary delights, and innovative health experiences, and for which the very concept of ‘wellbeing’ is culturally and historically embedded.

To seek out rest and rejuvenation in Britain is to attend to a centuries-long tradition; the very namesake of towns such as Leamington and Bath Spa attests to the thousands of visitors who have sought out the healing qualities of the towns’ hot springs and mineral-rich waters. Stretching as far back as Roman times, these waters have provided not only a source of healing and wellbeing, but also of cultural interchange and travel. Ancient Greek wisdom, carried on by the Romans, understood that health is related to lifestyle choices; whilst the current preoccupation with wellbeing may seem like a relatively new fad, here in the UK, it reflects the continuation of a trend stretching back millennia.

Nurturing spring waters are not Britain’s only naturally-occurring sources of health and wellbeing. Majestic mountain ranges, sweeping and pristine coastlines, forests of bluebells and other native flora – often in close proximity to major cities, or even nestled within cities, as the Pentlands are in Edinburgh – provide a source of mental relaxation and wellbeing. Travellers can engage with the UK’s natural beauty through guided and bespoke hiking trips, gifting tourists with a sense of escape whilst remaining safe and well-informed – or, through wild swimming in the clear, cold waters of one of Britain’s many lakes and lochs. The more intrepid might also plunge into the sea surf to ride the waves, perhaps joining some of the world’s best surfers in the swell off northern Scotland. Travellers can quite literally be ‘in touch’ with nature, too, by foraging for local foods in fields, forests, or even for seaweed on the coast.

Travellers might also nurture their bodies and their minds by indulging in some of Britain’s healthiest and most innovative cuisine. Known for its fine dining – from starred institutions to restaurants with spectacular views of cities and nature alike – many eateries are increasingly concerned with ethically and locally sourced ingredients. Visitors can even stay on location, with restaurants offering overnight experiences on the very farm from which all ingredients are sourced. The health benefits of this are evident, with fewer chemicals, less storage required, and not so many cut corners – as are the benefits to the planet. A trend for more sustainable and ethical eating in the UK is doubly beneficial to travellers’ wellbeing – because what’s even better for the mind and the body than to know that, whilst treating yourself, you’re also treating the planet?

Speaking of food – some rather more unusual and bespoke health-oriented experiences are on offer in the UK: beer spas, gin spas, and seaweed spas are having a moment, as travellers and locals alike jump on the opportunity literally to bathe in the cleansing and health-giving qualities of some of these less-conventional ingredients. Seaweed, for example, is rich in magnesium, which relaxes the muscles and reduces stress – whilst beer and gin are rich in antioxidants and nutrients; should the mantra ‘revitalised, nourished, refreshed’ spring once again to mind, then these rather more unusual spa experiences might be the answer.

Travellers might just return home from Britain better rested, healthier, and more energised than they left – and not necessarily at the expense of exploration and intrigue. That well-earned rejuvenation is on offer in Britain, a destination in which even the most modern of trends is embedded in millennia-old wisdom and traditions.