Wellness in the heart of Game of Thrones country

Penny McCormick learns ‘how to spa’ after check-in at the Galgorm Resort & Spa, County Antrim, for her 24-hour luxury wellness retreat

Spending 24 hours in a fluffy bathrobe is my idea of luxury, though clearly not a frequent experience for many. Hence when I was invited to spend a night at Galgorm Resort & Spa in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, I leapt at the chance.

Set on 163 acres of stunning County Antrim countryside on the banks of the River Maine, Galgorm is one of Northern Ireland’s finest spa hotels. The thermal village is the centrepiece: a vast complex of indoor and outdoor hydrotherapy pools, barrel saunas, hot tubs and relaxation areas that genuinely invites you to lose track of time.

The spa itself offers a comprehensive treatment menu with a strong focus on indigenous ingredients and local wellness traditions. I opted for a full-body ritual that left me comprehensively restored.

Game of Thrones fans will recognise the surrounding landscape — much of the series was filmed in this corner of Antrim. But even without that cultural hook, the setting alone warrants the journey.

Galgorm earned its reputation as one of Ireland’s best spa destinations honestly. The thermal village, the rooms, the food and the staff combine into something genuinely memorable.