A new luxury spa tucked away in the woodland grounds of a North Yorkshire country hotel is already attracting rave reviews for its peaceful spa garden and bucket showers.
Sakura Spa at Gisborough Hall, which opened recently, has quickly become one of the most talked-about wellness destinations in the region.
Videos shared across social media highlight its woodland thermal garden, vitality pool, cold plunge pool and Japanese-inspired interiors.
While many spas offer saunas and steam rooms, Sakura's outdoor thermal experience includes a feature that has sparked curiosity among prospective visitors: traditional bucket showers.
A popular feature in Scandinavian and Nordic-style spa experiences - a suspended bucket fills with cold water before being tipped and cooling the body after it has been in a sauna or steam room.
Traditional bucket showers at Sakura Spa.
(Image: Gisborough Hall)
Sakura Spa's woodland thermal garden also includes a Finnish sauna, herbal sauna, salt steam room, cold plunge pool and outdoor vitality pool surrounded by trees.
Describing itself as a "restorative woodland retreat inspired by nature", the spa has been created within Gisborough Hall's grounds as a luxury wellness destination, designed around relaxation and reconnecting with nature.
Visitors move between the thermal experiences before relaxing in woodland snugs, garden relaxation spaces and indoor lounges.
The space is inspired by the Japanese concept of Sakura, or cherry blossom, which symbolises renewal and new beginnings.
Sakura has also attracted attention for its unique and tailored spa treatments.
Its dedicated Sakura Head Spa has already proved particularly popular, offering guests a treatment focused entirely on scalp care, massage and relaxation.
There are also classic massages on offer, as well as pregnancy treatments, wellness rituals and a range of Elemis and Bamford facials.
Sakura's Welnamis loungers combine sound and vibration technology to promote deep relaxation.
Trustee Ren Barons, Lord Gisborough, finance director Roger Barons, spa director Vicki Jackson and general manager Ruairidh Taylor, opening the spa on August 1.
(Image: Supplied)
The spa opened with a launch event attended by guests, local dignitaries and media representatives, who were given a first look at the facility, including treatment experiences and sound baths.
A TikTok video shared by Visit Tees Valley spread the word about the new spa - attracting a string of comments from people keen to visit.
Early reviews suggest the spa has already made a strong impression on those who have already tried it out.
One visitor wrote on TripAdvisor: "The new Sakura Spa is simply to die for."
"The spa itself is beautifully designed, with peaceful relaxation areas both indoors and outdoors. Every detail has clearly been carefully considered, from the relaxation rooms and saunas to the restaurant.
"It really is a place where you can switch off and unwind."
Read more
Retro Teesside cinema offering Everyman luxury for discounted price
'Amazing' Hartlepool flat goes viral as viewers worldwide swoon over style and price
Viral American travels 4,000 miles to try 'bliss' North East sweet treat
Another reviewer said: "The new spa is beautiful, and the spa garden is the ultimate spot to unwind."
Lord Gisborough said the development of the spa represented a significant investment in both the hotel and the surrounding woodland.
Whether it is the viral bucket showers, the increasingly popular head spa treatments or simply the chance to relax among the trees - Sakura Spa has already established itself as one of the North East's newest luxury wellness destinations.