‘The cares of the world float away’

When we asked you to name your favourite spa town or city in Britain, your responses were balm for the soul

Holidays should be sufficiently different to make you forget home. Llandrindod Wells, in Wales, does that. A sleepy town with a Victorian high street, it is surrounded by gentle hills. The journey there is a reward in itself, whether by car, the Heart of Wales line, or bicycle.

You approach the town’s lake park, with its golf course, via the National Cycle Museum, past hotels redolent of times when this was the place to visit. In Rock Park, the famous springs well up, close to an international bowling green.

A cosy, 16th-century real ale pub reminds you there was life before the town became a spa. Indeed, there was a settlement in Roman times. Llandrindod is still an antidote to modern living. Hywel Williams, Cardiff

CHARM OFFENSIVE

With a vintage phone bigger than his face, and a pirate-inspired sash belt, the boy at the indoor market was a walking throwback. “It’s hard to have friends in Bath,” he told us. “Young people leave when they can.” He was our tour guide, a flamboyant lecturer, leaning over the coffee shop stools for a connection.

Bath was awash with colour: buskers dripping notes; young children dripping ice creams. As I walked hand in hand with my boyfriend, I had the sense that, once the hen parties and tourists faded into the march of Monday, nothing would be out of place. Retired couples would sit overlooking the river, not talking, but inhaling summer, in a town resting after its vast efforts to charm. Isabelle Kenyon, Manchester

TAKING THE WATERS

Scarborough’s spa – located in South Bay – is perhaps best known today for its handsome Victorian spa building, which houses impressive entertainment and events facilities. Nevertheless, seekers of “health-giving” spa waters will find a stained dribble seeping from a nearby cliff-base sea wall.

South Bay’s bathing waters are classified as poor – but that should not put visitors off. The lively esplanade boasts many other amenities. Also, neighbouring North Bay’s bathing waters pass with flying colours (thanks to the efforts of the Sons of Neptune, a small but steadfastly vigilant, self-appointed environmental watchdog), and it has quieter family attractions of its own. Bruce Denness, Isle of Wight

LETTER OF THE WEEK

At Holy Well in Malvern Wells, Worcestershire, the water still tumbles down the hill to emerge through a water spout in the well chamber building. Bottling of the water, said to have

healing properties, resumed on this site in 2009, restoring a tradition dating back to the early 17th century. Holywell Road, still gas-lit, continues through the trees, where a sign directs you to The Cottage in the Wood. This dower

house hotel has abandoned chintz for a more modern makeover. The food is excellent and the views, across the Vale of Evesham to the

Cotswold Hills, are stunning. An enticing sign points the way

“To the hills”. Church Street, the main thoroughfare in Malvern, comes to an abrupt end as the hills rise

steeply, but there are attractions close at hand. Great Malvern Priory and

the Malvern Theatres complex are set to reopen, and both are easily accessible from the ivy-clad Abbey Hotel.

All good to go! David Kenny, from Monmouthshire, wins a privately guided tour for up to six people

worth £250 iOne man and his dog: the Malvern Hills, within easy reach of the spa town of Malvern Wells

PERFECT PEACE

I nominate Eastbourne, in East Sussex, as my favourite spa town. The Holy Well, which is being restored and cleared of rocks, is below the chalk cliffs and beside the sea. There is no other place more perfect for sitting down and meditating.

The peaceful downlands rise above the town, and there is a memorial on Beachy Head to RAF Bomber Command. May they rest in peace and be remembered.

When the tide is low, you can walk along the beach to Cow Gap and Falling Sands and see the lighthouse. Beyond are the iconic Seven Sisters.

Eastbourne also has a Martello tower with a peace garden, a bandstand, a pier, a marina and a lovely seafront promenade – and for culture seekers, there is the Towner Art Gallery. Gillian Rogers, East Sussex

BEGUILING WAYS

Beguiling Buxton is one of my favourite places. Nestling in the beautiful Peak District, this small, welcoming town has much to offer: a delightful Victorian park with orangery, bandstand concerts and a miniature railway; an excellent museum and gallery; two shopping arcades (one Victorian, one modern); and varied shops, pubs, hotels and restaurants. I particularly love the Vintage Tea Rooms (you can buy its refurbished furniture, should you wish) and the St Moritz for Swiss/Italian cuisine.

Much of the architecture is stunning: impressive domes, elegant classical facades and the splendid Buxton Crescent. I have enjoyed the joie de vivre of Gilbert and Sullivan at the opera house; fascinating presentations at the literary festivals; and music in the sublime St John’s Church. I enjoy every magical moment I spend in Buxton.

GOOD OLD YORKSHIRE

My favourite spa town is Harrogate in North Yorkshire. After having a Fat Rascal [similar to a scone or rock cake] at Bettys Café Tea Rooms and mingling with Yorkshire folk with their straighttalking ways, who wouldn’t want to put down the shopping they’d just bought and relax in the spa, letting the worries of the world outside float away?

While doing just that, I’d luxuriate in the sense of wellness and sheer happiness that my day out in Harrogate had brought as I explored this wonderful historic spa town with its Montpellier Quarter, Royal Pump Room Museum and Moorish-style Turkish baths.

Then maybe I would watch a good old Yorkshire film like Calendar Girls, to make me realise that – to quote Captain Sir Tom Moore – today had been “a good day” and this was the moment to look forward to everything life has to offer. Jackie Donson, Cumbria