A Wellness Guide to London

A city very close to my heart, I was thrilled when I had the opportunity to travel to London again – not to mention extremely nostalgic since the last time I was in this city I was a journalism student, interning with my first company (shoutout to SheerLuxe). And now, I am living my dream as a health journalist – such a full-circle moment!

After meeting with a variety of different wellness brands, I’ve put together a list of the top must-see destinations. This guide showcases a collection of restaurants, fitness clubs, spas and mind-body health centers that are taking over London’s wellness scene.

Healthy eating

Farmacy

74-76 Westbourne Grove, London W2 5SH

Farm-to-table style dining with wooden tables and nature-inspired decor, Farmacy offers a wide selection of modern plant-based cuisine. Whether you’re in the mood for a garden salad or chilled gazpacho soup, all of their dishes are made in-house from scratch with 100% organic ingredients, many of which are hand-picked fresh from their biodynamic farm in Kent.

Raw Press

3 Ellis Street, London, SW1X 9AL

Starting out with organic cold-pressed juices, Raw Press has expanded their menu and now offers plant-based food and drinks – some items which are truly unique. For example, you can order pronuts – raw protein donuts made from oats, cashews and dates, with vegan hemp protein powder). Packed with flavor and low in calories, it’s a donut you can enjoy guilt-free. The cafe is most well-known for their acai bowls, which are just as beautiful as they are delicious.

The Detox Kitchen

10 Mortimer St., Fitzrovia, W1T 3JJ

With the holidays coming up and overindulging being pretty much inevitable, many of us are already thinking about how to detox and reset. If you’re looking for a high-quality, healthy food delivery service, The Detox Kitchen is a popular choice among Londoners. Delivering fresh, organic meals, they are most known for their cleanse and maintain meal plans. 

Pure

With multiple locations throughout London, Pure is ideal for those who want to eat well during the work day but don’t have time to meal prep. They have everything from high-protein omelettes to salads and grain bowls and vegan wraps, depending on whether you want breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Fitness

Third Space

67 Brewer Street, Soho, London W1F 9US 

*Additional locations in Mayfair, Canary Wharf, Marylebone, Tower Bridge, and Islington*

From a sleek spin studio to a relaxing Mind and Body room and floors of high-end equipment, Third Space is more than just a gym – it’s an immersive experience of luxury fitness and wellness. If you want an enjoyable atmosphere to escape the stress of daily life with many different amenities and classes to choose from, Third Space embodies all of the above. The staff is also very warm and friendly and makes you feel at home as soon as you walk through the door.

BXR

22 Bishopsgate – Floor 25

London EC2N 4BQ

Originally developed as an elite boxing gym, the BXR space is a prime spot for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Their mantra is “train like a champion,” inspiring all who enter to get in the zone and get ready to work. You’ll also get to work out with a view, looking out floor-to-ceiling glass windows at a stunning view of the city. Well-known for their Sweat-by-BXR fitness program, BXR classes are focused on strength and conditioning, cardiovascular exercise and skills development. It’s also important to note that regardless of where you are on your fitness journey – beginner, advanced, etc. – there is something for everyone. The trainers and staff are very knowledgeable and happy to help with any questions you have ranging from proper exercise form to post-smoothie workout recommendations.

Yoga Haven

26 Kew Rd, Richmond TW9 2NA

Located right around the corner from the Richmond train station, Yoga Haven is the definition of an urban getaway. Upon entering, you’ll hear soothing meditation music and smell the incense which instantly transports you to a more peaceful state of mind. The yoga studio is already hot upon entering, so you’ll want to be prepared with a towel and water to hydrate (clean mats are provided). The class is just as much intended for mental well-being as physical well-being, with participants encouraged to set an intention in the beginning of the session. The instructors will guide you through the yoga flow, reminding you to be mindful of your breathing and take breaks as needed (the hot temperatures can be hard to manage for beginner hot yogis). Alternative versions of poses are suggested to accommodate all different experience levels.

BuddhaBox

16 Berkeley St, London W1J 8DZ

A studio that combines boxing and yoga, BuddhaBox is in the prime location of Mayfair. Since combat fighting can be known to be intense, their goal is to balance this with wellness activities such as yoga, pilates and stretching. Cultivating this balance is the foundation of the BuddhaBox brand.

Mind & Body

Cloud Twelve

2 – 5 Colville Mews, London W11 2DA

A hidden gem in the heart of Notting Hill, Cloud Twelve is a lovely escape from the busyness of daily life. The whimsical decor makes you feel like you’re in a dream – each floor with its own charm and artistic detail. Their luxurious spa can help you rejuvenate and recharge your energy, with a range of treatments and procedures that combine both Western and Asian healing philosophies. Cloud Twelve also has a wellness clinic, which offers acupuncture and reflexology, aesthetics and anti-aging, infrared therapy, sound therapy, homeopathy, herbal medicine and more.

Re:Mind Studio

25A Eccleston Pl, London SW1W 9NF

Another urban oasis off the streets in Victoria, Re:Mind Studio’s door reads “Find Your Calm,” and their zen space allows you to do exactly that. Adorned with plants, meditation books, crystals and essential oils, it’s a one-stop shop for all things wellness. Once you walk past the shop, there’s a tea lounge where you’ll find a variety of herbal remedies, books for casual reading and even tarot cards if you want to do a quick reading. The studio is up the stairs with sessions including sound therapy, breathwork, and energy healing, designed to help bring your mind and body into balance.

The Stretch Experience

The Circle Gym & Spa, Queen Elizabeth St, London SE1 2JE

While we know stretching is a good habit to get into, many of us aren’t aware of the different types of stretches best suited for muscle repair, enhancing flexibility, increasing range of motion and the list goes on. Each person has unique strengths and weaknesses, and that’s why a stretch therapy session can be beneficial. At The Stretch Experience, a stretch therapist can spot specific problem areas and offer advice to relieve tension and improve mobility. I worked with Amy who was very knowledgeable and during my session, explained each movement and what I can do moving forward to alleviate tension and tightness. The hour and 15 minutes flew by and I left feeling completely relaxed.

The Wellness Clinic at Harrods

Fourth Floor, Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7XL

From holistic and aesthetic services to mindfulness treatments, Harrod’s clinic is the ultimate destination for all things wellness. Whether you’re looking for effective meditation techniques, physiotherapy, nutrition plans or ways to improve your skin health – they have experts on staff with whom you can address your specific health questions and concerns. 

The Alternative Center

25A Hurlingham Studios, Ranelagh Gardens, London

Highly recommended by several locals in the area, The Alternative Center is, as its name suggests, home to different types of alternative medicine. They specialize in helping those with digestive disorders, weight issues, hormonal imbalances, food intolerances, nutritional deficiencies, stress problems, and skin issues. Using electroacupuncture, naturopathic specialists can measure the electro-magnetic field of each organ of the body via the energy pathways – known as meridians. An electromagnetic reading is taken of the patient’s lymphatic system, lungs, heart, nervous system, circulation system, digestive system, heart, liver, and other organs to see where there is an energy imbalance. From there, specialists can come up with a treatment plan that meets the individual’s needs. All of the remedies prescribed are made from plants and minerals around the world designed to help absorption of nutrition, eliminate toxins and balance hormones.

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