Whether you’re looking to kick-start a new health regime, or you’re simply in need of some me-time, you needn’t travel far to enjoy a relaxing break
Losehill House Hotel & Spa
Losehill House is the only four star hotel within the Peak District National Park and as such, it benefits from some of the most breathtaking views in the county. A night in one of its 23 beautifully appointed en suite bedrooms – all with flat screen TVs and wifi – is relaxing in iteself, and the boutique country hotel and spa occupies a secluded spot on the side of Lose Hill, with stunning views towards Win Hill. It is also equidistant from the villages of Castleton and Edale, amidst some of the best walking country in England, but if you can’t tear yourself away from the hotel, make the most of the award-winning Thalgo Spa and Orangery Restaurant, which serves healthy spa lunches. There’s a range of spa breaks and the facilities can be used by residents and non-residents alike. These include a tranquil indoor heated pool with panoramic views, a peaceful sauna and an outdoor hot tub. There are also three peaceful treatment rooms in which to enjoy an extensive range of treatments using Thalgo and ESPA products. The spa received the Thalgo Gold Spa Award in 2014 and 2015.
TRY: Throughout August, Losehill is offering a limited edition, Polynesian-inspired Thalgo Maupiti Facial which hydrates the skin and relaxes the mind and body – perfect for summer. Lose Hill Lane, Edale Road S33 6AF, 01433 621219, www.losehillhouse.co.uk
Ragdale Hall Health Hydro and Thermal Spa
As one of the largest spas in the UK, with almost 50 treatment rooms and 140 therapists, Ragdale offers hundreds of treatments using brands such as Elemis, Decleor and Clarins. Food is included in all spa packages – which range from spa days to overnight breaks in luxurious bedrooms. Packages also include unlimited use of facilities such as the multi-million pound Thermal Spa with its range of heat and water experiences and indoor and outdoor pools, plus the magical ‘underground’ candle pool. There’s also a gym, around 20 free exercise sessions each day, mountain bikes and tennis courts to give your body a full workout.
TRY: The top-to-toe Golden Indulgence anti-ageing treatment begins with a relaxing foot soak using golden crystals, followed by a full body exfoliation with caviar extracts, a body wrap of champagne and grape extracts, a gold and plant collagen face mask and a hot stones massage, finished with a layer of sumptuous gold dry oil. Ragdale is also one of the first spas to offer the newly re-launched Clarins Tri-Active Facial – plus a unique range of ‘Created by Ragdale’ treatments.Ragdale Village, Melton Mowbray LE14 3PB, 01664 434831, www.ragdalehall.co.uk
Champneys Springs
A destination spa hotel in Leicestershire, surrounded by water walkways and open parklands, Champneys is a cocoon of calm. It offers over 80 therapies, from the classic to the more exotic such as reiki healing and personally blended aromatherapy. State-of-the-art facilities include a swimming pool, outdoor pool and whirlpool, plus single-sex thermal rooms and relaxation areas. If you’re staying the night, the bright, fresh and spacious bedrooms are beautifully decorated and some even have a terrace or balcony.
TRY: Golden Bright Eyes is a luxury treatment for tired eyes, which includes a gold eye mask to plump fine lines, leaving you feeling relaxed and looking rejuvenated. Gallows Ln, Packington DE12 7HD, 0843 316 2222, www.champneys.com/explore-treatments
Marriott Breadsall Priory Hotel
Located a few miles north of Derby in the Marriott Breadsall Priory Hotel and Country Club, the Priory Retreat boasts a range of indulgent treatments – from wraps and facials to waxing, massages, manicures, pedicures, make-up application and spray tans – using the finest products including Decléor, Jessica, St Tropez and Bare Minerals.
For those looking simply to enjoy a day of rest and relaxation, the hotel’s swimming pool, sauna, steam room and hot tub – plus the Tempo Bar and Priory Restaurant – offer a complete escape from the stress and strains of everyday life, whilst the capacious bedrooms include 12 magnificent rooms in the original Priory, which dates back to 1260. TRY: The new 60 minute Decléor Aroma Blend full body massage uses a bespoke combination of essential oils which are worked into the body to help stimulate, drain, sculpt and firm skin – a complete slimming ritual. Alternatively, opt for a Discovery Facial with a free mask treatment. Moor Rd, Morley, Derby DE7 6DL, 01332 832235, www.marriott.co.uk
Buxton Palace Hotel
‘England’s leading spa town’ is a fitting location for this imposing hotel, which offers some super health and leisure facilities, spa breaks and spa days to complement its elegant bedrooms, bar and restaurant. A prominent part of the Buxton townscape since 1868, the historic hotel was acquired by Britannia Hotels last year and is situated in over five acres of gardens, with 122 rooms. The gym and spa is open to hotel guests and members and includes beauty rooms, an exercise room, fitness classes, indoor swimming pool, sauna and steam room.
TRY: The Head in the Clouds massage releases stress that has accumulated in the tissues, muscles and joints of the head, face, neck and shoulders, and is especially good for relieving tension, fatigue, insomnia and headaches. Palace Rd, Buxton SK17 6AG, 01298 24859, www.britanniahotels.com
Hoar Cross Hall Spa Hotel
50 acres of glorious countryside surround this Grade II listed stately home retreat, which combines period style with modern touches.
The 96 beautifully-appointed bedrooms and suites have been individually designed and decorated to complement their handsome surroundings, whilst antique furnishings, paintings and sumptuous fabrics create a sense of elegance throughout.
The luxurious spa includes a saltwater vitality pool and a hydrotherapy pool, steam rooms, massage jets, specialist showers, cold plunge pool, a Kneipp foot bath, Aspen wood sauna and a heat and ice suite. Spa days and breaks allow guests full use of the facilities, including access to a daily programme of fitness and relaxation classes and outdoor activities such as cycling, tennis and archery for an all-round well-being experience. There’s even an on-site Matthew Curtis Hair Treat. TRY: Signature Spa Breaks include an overnight stay, a three-course à la carte dinner, breakfast and lunch, plus an 85-minute Signature Face and Body Treatment with either Elemis or Clarins products – and full use of the facilities. Maker Lane, Hoar Cross, Burton-on-Trent, DE13 8QS, 01283 575671, www.hoarcross.co.uk
Owl House Day Spa
In the grounds of Langley Priory, this charming day spa offers peace and relaxation in boutique surroundings. Highlights include an outdoor hot tub set in a walled courtyard garden, a herbal steam chamber and chic ‘powder room’ changing facilities.
TRY: The Fun Fair summer spa day includes English apple pressé and sweets on arrival; a limited edition candy floss body treatment with a sugar coated back scrub and candy floss body massage, finished with vanilla body butter; plus a picnic of hot dogs, toffee apples, doughnuts, candyfloss and Prosecco. The Crew Yard, Langley Priory, Diseworth DE73 8BB, 01332 818818, www.owlhousedayspa.co.uk
Devonshire Spa
Set in Buxton’s iconic Devonshire Dome at the University of Derby’s Buxton Campus, the Devonshire Spa was crowned Professional Beauty Day Spa of the Year 2016. Treatments incorporate luxury products from Elemis and Ishga, and facilities include a hydrotherapy pool, reflexology foot baths, essence-filled sauna and Monsoon shower. TRY: The Elemis Cellutox Aromaspa Ocean Wrap is a detoxifying 75-minute mask that helps to refine the appearance of cellulite and relieve fluid retention with a foil wrap, facial and scalp massage.
The Devonshire Dome, Devonshire Road, Buxton SK17 6RY, 01298 338408, www.devonshiredome.co.uk/devonshire-spa
Eden Hall Day Spa
A listed mansion built in 1875, with acres of glorious gardens, Eden Hall includes a spacious conservatory – now an airy relaxation area – and a large, elegant spa with indoor and outdoor facilities including the Aqua Detox Centre’s thermal rooms, salt-water pool, muscle-easing water jets, restaurant, outdoor hot tubs and roof terrace.
TRY: The Lava Shells Rescue Massage is a deep tissue full body massage combining warm lava shells and cool glacial shells to treat and soothe tired muscles. Elston Village, Lodge Ln, Elston, Newark NG23 5PG, 01636 525555, www.edenspa.co.uk
Moddershall Oaks
Moddershall Oaks is a five star country spa retreat with an outdoor spa courtyard, heated vitality spa pool, kelo sauna, an indoor swimming pool, hydrotherapy pool, reflexology foot baths, steam room, heated tile loungers and a spa deli. Enjoy express treatments in the beauty suite, a relaxing half or full spa day, or indulge in an overnight break.
TRY: The Wimbledon-inspired Strawberries and Cream Body Scrub combines rich kernel oil to moisturise skin and anti-ageing grapeseed oil to tighten and protect – leaving skin smooth and revitalised. Available until the end of August. Moddershall, Stone, Staffs ST15 8WF, 01782 399000, www.moddershalloaks.com
