Everything you need to know about Soho Farmhouse’s new Lazy Lake
Rewilding now comes with a chilled Picante, natural bath soak and an outdoor massage (at least, it does at Soho House)
Monday 12 September 2022 By Tilly Pearman
The Lazy Lake is Soho Farmhouse’s newest wellness experience. And as the name suggests, it is a place that invites you to get unequivocally languid.
Nestled into the grounds at our Oxfordshire outpost, the recently extended outdoor space is now home to a secluded, therapy-inspired circuit, where members can reap the benefits of ancient and modern remedies as they move around the landscape.
An upgrade from what was formerly known as Steam Island, the (semi) wilderness setting now features an ice room, steam room, three infrared sauna cabins and four onsen-style baths that are sunken into the lake itself. Elsewhere, seasonal seated massages are offered beneath the shelter of the expanded decking, overlooking scenic woodland views.
To ensure you have everything you need to know about our favourite new countryside lake, we’ve rounded up the essential facts, ready for your next visit. After all, this isn’t just any lake.
First things first, be sure to book
We welcome all members to the Lazy Lake, but to ensure your experience is nothing but pure serenity from start to finish, we encourage you to book in advance. A two-hour experience, including bath soak and use of the ice room, steam room and infra-red sauna, costs £60 per person. There’s also a seasonal menu of treatments that can be booked in advance.
Take a tour and choose your soak
Entrance to the Lazy Lake is via the onsite spa. Once inside, you’ll be met by your host. First-timers will be offered a quick tour of the facilities and everyone will be allocated a specific time to return for that luxurious, deep soak in your private tub, filled with your choice of natural mineral salts or hand-harvested seaweed. Either way, your private onsen-style bath will be freshly prepared as you make your way to the changing and locker area.
Unplug and slip into your Soho House Robe
You know us, we will always prioritise having a good time, which is why we sometimes need a few simple ground rules. For the Lazy Lake, it’s no photography, laptops or phone calls; the vibe is comfortably chill. With sensory overload reduced, feel free to change into your Soho Farmhouse robe and move between the steam, ice and sauna rooms. Or perhaps take a treatment on the sheltered deck.
Try the contrast therapy circuit
How you choose to spend your time in the Lazy Lake is entirely up to you, but for anyone looking to up their wellness game, you might like to know that it’s been designed to accommodate – and maximise – hot and cold immersion therapy. The premise is fairly simple: exposure to heat, followed by exposure to cold. Repeated several times, this simple ritual encourages your body to have what is known as an hormetic response. In layman's terms, that refers to what happens with the body is forced to adapt to sudden shifts in temperature, which has been shown to have all sorts of positive effects. Improved circulation, reduced inflammation and elevated mood are just a few of the benefits to look forward to as you lap the lake – and all in considerably more elegant fashion than those Wim Hoff-wannabes with their DIY cold-water plunges.
Re-wild with a chilled Picante and a clay face mask
When the time comes to descend into your private stone-paved, circular bath – complete with cold-water shower and protective canopy – simply lay back and let nature do its thing. The mineral-rich water will be set to a nipple-friendly 38 degrees and of course, there’s a few extra Soho House touches, too. A fresh pot containing with an organic clay face mask and rolled oshibori (chilled towels) are there for you to enjoy, as is a drinks menu that offers everything from healthy juices, teas and coffee, to the more charming Lady A and a selection of House cocktails.