Rome in the Cotswolds: A Review of Eynsham Baths at Estelle Manor
- Corey Jones
- Dec 30, 2025
- 4 min read
Deep in the woodlands of the 60-acre Estelle Manor estate, a low-rise, neoclassical building emerges from the trees. This entrance, however, is a studied act of deception. It belies the 3,000-square-meter, two-storey sanctuary dug deep into the earth below. This is Eynsham Baths, a project five years in the making, and arguably the most significant spa opening in the United Kingdom.
Inspired by the discovery of Roman villa ruins nearby, the spa is a monumental reimagining of an Imperial thermae. Upon descending the wraparound staircase, we entered a cavernous bathing hall of carved marble and stone, its grandeur defined by pale columns that soar two storeys high. This is a cathedral of wellness, designed for social bathing at its most magnificent.
The Thermal Journey
The heart of Eynsham Baths is its grand bathing hall and thermal circuit. This is not a quiet, solitary experience but a vibrant, clubbable one. The ethos is built on the modern science of hot and cold contrast therapy, citing researchers like Dr. Andrew Huberman for its metabolic and immune-boosting effects.
The spa curates two distinct circuits for guests, one to de-stress and one to energize. Access is granted via a 180-minute "Thermal Journey" pass, which gives you ample time to explore the facilities.
The Pools: The centerpiece is the vast, sky-blue Tepidarium (36°C), a social hub where guests float under high ceilings. This is flanked by a hotter Caldarium (40°C) and a bracing series of Frigidariums (15°C and 10°C), plus an 8°C Scottish Bucket for the truly brave.
The Heat: The thermal rooms are destinations in themselves. We were particularly impressed by the Hay-Scented Sauna (70-100°C), an Alpine touch that infuses the dry heat with a transportive, pastoral aroma. A dense, red-hot Botanical Steam Room (42-48°C) completes the offering.
The Hideaway: The journey also includes access to an open-air oasis with a cascading waterfall, and a separate Breathwork Pool set at a challenging 12-17°C.
The Treatment Philosophy: An Eastern Soul
Where the bathing hall is resolutely Roman, the treatment menu travels distinctly East. The owners drew from their own Indian heritage to create what they call an "intellectual" and deeply personal curation of ancient healing rituals from India, Tibet, and China.
Most impressively, Eynsham Baths eschews all third-party brands. The owners spent three years developing a proprietary line of medicinal, plant-based remedies. Instead of common bases, they use potent cactus and moringa oils. This philosophy is rooted in the Five Koshas (sheaths) of Ayurvedic wisdom. Before our treatments, we were presented with five bespoke oil remedies, one for each Kosha, from the physical body to inner bliss, and asked to choose our pathway by scent alone.
The Rituals and Treatments
The ten treatment rooms are serene and simple, a deliberate contrast to the grand baths. Here, ancient, specialized therapies are performed with masterful precision.
Marma Chikitsa with Chakra Healing: This 120-minute signature ritual is a meditative journey. It is designed to address all five Koshas, focusing on the body's 107 marma points, gentle abdominal work, and cranial holds to release blocked prana (life force).
Chi Nei Tsang: This Taoist ritual focuses entirely on the abdomen, considered the "second brain." Using a signature smoked balm, the therapist works to loosen lodged emotions and detoxify the mind, aiding in "emotional digestion." We were advised to arrive on a light stomach for this profound treatment.
Tibetan Ku Nye: An invigorating 90-minute ritual to awaken a depleted system. It combines a full-body massage along energy lines, targeted acupressure, and active stretching to powerfully move 'qi'.
Indian Potli Massage: This deeply restorative 90-minute treatment uses heated poultices, or potli, filled with Ayurvedic herbs like turmeric and amla, to improve circulation and melt muscle tension.
Warrior Massage: A powerful, intuitive massage targeting deep muscular tension. The 120-minute version incorporates hot stones and a signature liniment to regenerate tissues and realign the central nervous system.
Eynsham Baths Facial: The signature facial is a masterclass in structure. It works to unlock the jaw by focusing on the trigeminal nerve, incorporating myofascial release and cranial holds, and using a Kansa wand to sculpt and depuff.
Private Rituals: For a more secluded experience, the spa offers a phenomenal private Hammam for cleansing rituals, as well as a Rasul chamber for a self-administered mineral-rich mud treatment for couples.
Ceremony for the Soul: For ultimate privacy, this 240-minute ritual grants couples their own private spa suite, complete with a Hammam, bespoke treatments, a private bath, and dining.
The Final Pause
The experience concludes in the opulent, domed Tea Lounge, which overlooks the bathing hall from a mezzanine. The tea program, curated by a master poached from the world-class Vana Spa in India, is exceptional. We were offered an Ayurvedic blend of ginseng, cumin, and nutmeg for relaxation, alongside a menu of healthy, restorative dishes like Ayurvedic kitchari and ashwagandha porridge.
Eynsham Baths is a statement. It is a spa with the architectural scale of an institution but the personal, holistic soul of a private retreat. The bold decision to blend Roman social bathing with deeply authentic Eastern healing, all while creating every single product in-house, sets a new, almost unassailable standard for wellness in the UK.
Eynsham Baths at Estelle Manor
Eynsham Park
Oxfordshire, UK OX29 6PN
+44 (0) 1993 685800
