We've been welcoming clients to The Workshop in Royston since 2011, and over the years a familiar set of questions tends to come up. The answers below are written by our team, in the way we'd talk you through it on the phone. If anything you'd like to ask isn't covered here, please get in touch or simply call 01763 258002.
Your first visit
What happens when I arrive?
You'll be welcomed in and shown around. We have a changing area with lockers for your clothes and valuables. If you're nervous about using our changing room, then just say and you can change in your designated therapy room. You will have time to settle in, we have a brief chat about the session, and leave you to use the shower or sauna before your treatment begins. Nothing is rushed. Most people find the pace settles them quickly.
Will I feel nervous?
It's quite common to feel a little uncertain beforehand, particularly if it's your first time at a naturist spa. Most clients relax within the first few minutes once they see how calm and unhurried the setting is. The therapists are used to first-time visitors and will guide you through everything.
Is the spa suitable for a first visit?
Many of our clients were first-time visitors once. If you'd like a gentle introduction, our full body massage is a popular starting point.
Do I need previous naturist experience?
No. Many clients have never visited a naturist venue before. We'll explain everything when you arrive, and you can take things at your own pace.
Do you offer a tour before booking?
Yes. We're happy to show you around before you book. Please call first so we can arrange a quiet moment between appointments. We can't accommodate drop-ins, as the spa is private and other clients may be in session.
The treatment
Do I need to be undressed?
Only as far as you're comfortable. Most clients prefer to be fully undressed, in keeping with our naturist setting, but it isn't a requirement. You decide what feels right.
What styles of massage do you offer?
Our therapists are trained in several styles, each with a slightly different focus and pace: Swedish, deep tissue, full body, tantric, four-handed and couples. The full list is on the treatments page.
Is the treatment sexual?
No. All sessions are professional. Our therapists work to clear ethical standards and we've operated this way since the spa opened.
I'm worried about getting aroused, will this be a problem?
Sometimes men get an erection during a full body massage. It's a normal physical response to touch, and the therapist won't be concerned. If it worries you, wearing underwear might help. And if you're not comfortable being totally naked, ask the therapist to cover you with a towel and only expose the part of the body she's working on.
Can you accommodate specific health concerns or conditions?
On your first visit, tell the therapist of any medical conditions you have or any medications you're on. Also mention any skin conditions, recent scars (under 18 months old) and any moles that bleed. If you're unsure, or have any health issues, we'd advise you consult your doctor first.
We keep a list of contra-indications, which gives general guidance on when a massage isn't appropriate. It's by no means exhaustive, so if there's anything at all you're concerned about, we urge you to consult your GP.
What products do you use during the massage?
We only use pure fractionated coconut oil. For aromatherapy sessions we use essential oils, but those are discussed with the therapist beforehand.
The experience
What does a session feel like?
Most clients describe it as deeply calm and unhurried. People often say it's the most relaxed they've felt in some time. But everyone is different, so it would be unfair to generalise.
Will I be expected to talk?
Not at all. Some clients like to chat a little, others prefer silence. The therapist will follow your lead.
Can I choose the pressure?
Yes. Pressure can be adjusted at any point, lighter or firmer. Just say, there's no expectation to grit your teeth through anything that doesn't feel right.
What if I fall asleep?
That's perfectly fine, and not unusual. The therapist will continue gently and wake you near the end so you have time to come round before getting up.
Practical details
How long are sessions?
Sessions run from 30 to 120 minutes, with time before and after to shower, use the sauna and rest. Full timings are listed on the prices page.
Do I need to bring anything?
No. Towels, shower gel and soap are provided, and we supply filtered water and hot drinks throughout your visit. You're welcome to bring a robe and flip-flops if you wish.
Should I arrive early?
Five to ten minutes early is usually plenty. If you'd like to use the sauna beforehand, allow an additional twenty minutes or so.
Can I have a drink beforehand to take the edge off?
We don't massage anyone who's been drinking or taken anything before they arrive. It isn't safe. Alcohol changes how the body responds to pressure, and judgement of what's comfortable goes with it. If you turn up worse for wear, we'll have to send you home.
Where is the spa, and is there parking?
We're on Lower Gower Road in Royston, Hertfordshire (SG8 5EA), with free on-site parking. Full directions, transport links and a map are on the location page.
How do I book?
Call 01763 258002 to check availability. A couple of hours' notice is often enough, although evenings and Saturdays can book up several days ahead.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept cash in person, or online payment in advance, either through WhatsApp when arranging your appointment, or via the online booking link for next-day sessions on the booking page.
Is there an age limit?
Yes, you need to be at least 18. And if you're lucky enough to look younger than 18, please bring proof of ID.
Can I request a specific gender for my therapist?
Of course. Our current therapists are listed on the therapist rota, so you can see who's available.
Do I need to confirm my booking?
We normally take bookings on the day. If you've booked a day or two ahead, we'll ask you to confirm on the morning of your appointment, before 11am. If we haven't heard from you by then, we may need to release the slot to another client.
What facilities are there?
We have a six-person sauna and a chill-out area beside it. Free hot and cold non-alcoholic drinks are available throughout your visit.
Can I just use the sauna?
Yes. If you'd like to come over and just use the sauna, there's a nominal fee to cover running costs, with towels and shower included. At present that's £20.
Couples sessions
Couples often have slightly different questions from individual visitors, particularly if one partner has never experienced naturist massage before. These are the questions we hear most often.
Can we have separate rooms instead?
Yes. Most couples choose the shared room because they want to share the experience of a couples session, but separate rooms are an option for any couples booking. Just say which you'd prefer when you call. There's no need to explain why.
Could you teach us how to give each other a massage like this?
Yes. That's a separate session, run by Antonio. The couples massage tuition is the full body kind, with a tantra version if you'd rather learn the slower work. Taught hands-on in the same room, with you and your partner taking turns on the table. It's a different booking from a treatment session.
What's the difference between the standard and tantric versions?
The standard naturist couples massage is a structured, full-body treatment, the kind you book to undo a hard week. You leave physically loosened and lighter on your feet. The tantric version is a different thing: slower, quieter, with long stretches of stillness, aimed less at muscle and more at what's underneath it. Most people describe it as feeling more internal, less athletic. Sessions start at 30 minutes for the standard; for the tantric version, book at least 45, and 60 if you can.
Can we choose our therapists?
If you have a preference, mention it when you call and we'll do our best within whoever is on shift that day. Antonio, who runs the spa, isn't on the daily rota but takes couples bookings on request, usually with a day or two's notice. That's also the route if you want a male and female therapist. The current week's lineup is on the therapist rota.
Do both of us have to choose the same treatment?
No. Each of you has your own therapist working separately, so the pressure, style and any specific requests can be different for each of you. The session is shared in the sense of being in the same room at the same time, but the work itself is tailored to each person individually.
What if one of us is much more nervous than the other?
Common, and not a problem. The therapist working with the more uncertain partner will start slower, take longer over the easing-in part, and follow whatever pace settles them rather than matching the other table. The two sides of the room don't need to look the same. By the halfway mark, most people have stopped tracking what's happening on the other table altogether.
What if one of us gets emotional or cries?
Slow touch and long stretches of stillness, especially in the tantric work, can bring up things that don't normally have room to surface. Tears in a session are usually a good sign, not a problem to manage. The therapist won't make a thing of it. They'll slow right down, or pause altogether, and stay with you until you're ready to carry on. They're used to it, they don't take it personally, and they won't probe afterwards. Most people walk out lighter than they came in.