How fitting: a brand new wellbeing festival in one of UNESCO’s Great Spa Towns of Europe! The new festival reBalance Bath brings together around 120 festival events and activities – some of which are free – including health and wellbeing classes and workshops, walks, talks and dinners, around the city from Tues 7 to Sun 26 Feb, plus some very tempting festival packages at top Bath hotels.

Here’s our pick of what’s on.

A spa with a view

Set yourself up for the day with a morning session at the Bath Thermae Bath Spa’s iconic rooftop pool with the award-winning Aqua Sana, whose usual forest-based spas are inspired by ancient wellbeing practices from around the world. You have 45 mins in the pool, then a two-hour session in the spa. Bliss.

The Thermae Bath Spa, Weds 8, Weds 15 & Weds 22 Feb, from 8am – 11am. £55. Tickets will be released and available to book from Fri 27 Jan. You can email marketing@thermaebathspa.com to go on the waiting list.

Meet an Olympian

Former skeleton racer and Olympic gold medallist Amy Williams, MBE, who grew up in Bath, is the festival Ambassador and making lots of personal appearances during the three weeks. Come and celebrate the launch of the festival with drinks and canapes with Amy at Walcot House on Tues 7 Feb (£10). She’s talking about her book Talent to Triumph: How Athletes turn Potential into High Performance at Toppings on Mon 20 Feb (£8). You can join her for a business breakfast, power-up posture workshop and pastries at Rengen House on Weds 22 Feb (£7) and for an evening of fine dining at The Elder on Fri 24 Feb (£75).

Try a new therapy – for free

Sound Bath anyone? The Soul Spa’s many practitioners are offering a range of relaxing therapies – for free – at their open day who work out of the Minerva Therapy Rooms in the city’s Spa Quarter.

The Soul Spa, Sun 12 Feb, from 10am – 4pm. To book, email hello@thesoulspa.co.uk.

Discover the science of seaweed skincare

Swim over to The Pig-near Bath where Lucy Pike Bowyer of seaweed-based skincare brand VOYA and the Pig-near Bath’s Potting Shed therapists reveal all about seaweed bathing and demonstrate a step-by-step ‘at home’ facial, while you enjoy a few glasses of wine and a light grazing supper. And if you book a Potting Shed treatment – a range of deeply relaxing facial and full body treatments, from hot stone massages to restorative facials – you’ll get 20% off for the duration of the festival.

The Pig-near Bath, Weds 22 Feb, 6pm – 9pm. £25. To book a place on An Evening with VOYA, email events@thepignearbath.com or call 01761 490490. To book a Potting Shed treatment with 20% discount (from 7–26 Feb), use the promo code BALANCE20, book here, email info@thepignearbath.com or call 01761 490490.

Rewire your brain

Neuroscientist Naianna Robertsson from Neurocompatible will guide you through meditation, mindfulness and visualisation practices on a whole-day course to unlock your brain’s potential and optimise your well-being – decreasing stress, improving resilience and enabling you to experience an altogether calmer way of life.

House of St John’s, Sat 25 Feb, 10am – 4pm, £95.

Assume the dog position

Of course there’s an intriguing array of yoga sessions, including Rise+Flow, Ground + Flow and Root+ Revive which merge modern fitness with ancient Indonesian yoga, martial arts, and philosophies, with sessions throughout the Festival at the House of St John’s (£18); a laughter yoga workshop on Fri 10 & Fri 24 Feb at The Roman Baths (£5); Yoga at the Chapel at the Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel on Sun 19 Feb, 10am–12pm (£15).

One for the boys

Personal trainer, QiGong instructor, breathing coach, founder of Toniq gym and men’s group The Ice Breakers (is there no end to his talents?), Aaron Collins-Thomas will be talking about how men can enhance their own mental health and wellbeing as well as that of others, with practical tips to employ in every day life – and a beer and a burger afterwards.

The Elder, Thurs 23 Feb, 5.30pm – 7.30pm, £30.

Have a free hand and arm massage

Molton Brown on Union Street, near The Roman Baths, are offering free hand and arm massages every single day of the festival. What a treat! Just choose one of their delicious scents, sit back and enjoy 20 minutes of pampering.

Molton Brown, Tues 7 to Sun 26 Feb. 10am–5pm (Sundays may differ). Free but you must book on 01225 789984.

Enjoy a festival treat at one of Bath’s best hotels

Some of the city’s loveliest hotels have created packages especially for the reBalance festival – and they’re incredible value. I mean, take a look at these two:

The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa’s reBalance Lifestyle Re-set includes a 60- minute workout in their Fitness Room decked out out with cardiovascular and weight machines, free weights and the latest Power Plate technology; and 60 minutes in the Bath Spa House, with 12m Relaxation Pool, Vitality Pools, Himalayan Salt Infused Sauna, and Herbal Steam Inhalation Room – for just £35. Available from now until Fri 31 March 2023. Call 01225 823367 to book.

The Queensberry Hotel and Michelin-starred The Olive Tree restaurant‘s festival package includes a night in a luxurious room, a special ‘FOUR’ course vegan or vegetarian tasting menu and breakfast the next day, from £309.50 for two people. Makes for the perfect Festival base. Email reservations@thequeensberry.co.uk or call 01225 447 928 for more info.

One of the rooms at The Queensberry Hotel, Bath

For more hotel packages, see here.

The reBalance Bath Festival of Wellbeing runs from Tues 7 to Sun 26 Feb. You can see the full programme of events here.

Relax, reset and restore at reBalance Bath, the city’s new wellbeing festival

You may also like