Firefly Spa at Silverlake Estate

“A Norwegian-inspired brand-new spa in Dorset with lakeside views and design-led accommodation - some with their own pools.” (Stylish Spy)

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Silverlake is a sprawling estate a five-to-ten-minute drive from Moreton train station in Dorset, with seven lakes, 170 privately-owned individual houses, two spas (one (Hurricane) exclusively for property owners) and planning permission for more homes, taking the number to around 600 in total.

Opened in August 2026, Firefly Spa - available for everybody to use (memberships are also available) - is a lakeside retreat with plenty to experience. A gym and holiday pods are in the pipeline and slated to open next year: watch this space.

As the site is large, guests can be ferried around in buggies - simply flag one down and say where you want to go; walkers can get their bearings by referring to large maps dotted around the site.

WHAT’S ON OFFER?

Rather charmingly, Firefly Spa is made up of several black-hued Norwegian-style individual buildings placed in front of the lake, including spa reception, the Firefly restaurant, changing rooms, a sauna pod and four individual treatment rooms with watery views through floor-to-ceiling glass.

We were greeted in the reception building, another black pod with two sections: a two-man reception desk for check in with products available to buy and - around the corner - a seating area. In here, we drank a pungent shot apple cider vinegar whilst waiting for treatments.

Changing rooms - in the building marked SWIM - are basic but functional with half-height lockers operated by four-digit code, two hairdryers, and showers equipped with ESPA shampoo, conditioner and body wash, as well as a swimsuit dryer and loos. We loved the robes that went over the head rather than through the arms, and hoods for heading back to accommodation with semi-wet hair. Pad between the buildings in black branded flip-flops which are for keeps.

The outdoor pool is placed in the centre of the building, with the restaurant at the top end, reception on the right and the changing rooms on the left. At 25-metres, it’s ideal for swimming lengths with one lane cordoned off for ease of flow. It’s also heated making it ideal for holidaying families; children can use the pool between 9am and 7pm daily.

There’s also a dedicated sauna building with full-height glass - use the pontoon to step (or jump) into the lake to cool off afterwards, or brave the plunge pool.

Between experiences, take a seat on one of several armed wooden chair positioned opposite the water (where else?) and watch Canada geese fly by.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR TREATMENT

We tried a combined massage and facial (60 minutes, £110).

My therapist, Mia, met me in reception and led me to one of four treatment huts (called Stillwater) in which, rather cleverly, I could see out but nobody could see in.

Having completed a consultation form online prior to arrival, Mia was in the know about my skincare routine and wishes, so simply talked me through the dual treatment and left the room so I could undress and get comfortable on the warm bed, lying face down.

The back, shoulder and neck massage was deliciously light in pressure but sufficient to have me dozing off; once turned over, the facial began with a cleanse and an inspection of my skin which, Mia deemed to be well hydrated despite my thoughts otherwise.

Choosing the Pro Optimal range, Mia cleansed my skin, massaged around my eyes, added eye gel patches and painted on a mask. While this worked, she massaged my arms and hands.

Removing the mask with hot mitts, Mia applied finishing products included eye cream, serum and moisturiser before leaving the room so that I could re-dress and join her in the relaxation teepee (pictured above) - a large tent with huge round day beds and lots of blankets to snuggle under. Spa-goers wishing to linger can try the suggested meditation routine outlined on a print-out. We settled for a Moroccan mint tea and a marvel at the lake.

FOOD FACTS

Lunch is served at Firefly, a spacious window-filled restaurant facing the water with a bar in the centre and several sections of seatings - a large area for entertaining, as well as booths and tables for smaller groups/couples.

On the menu: a range of small plates, as well as larger dishes showcasing Dorset produce. We filled the table with small plates including Portland crab crumpet, Sesame prawn toast, Lyme Bay scallops, Oysters with Tabasco, Picante chorizo, sweetcorn and coriander fritters, Padron peppers and Hispi cabbage. Each dish was as pretty as it was delicious. We washed it all down with glasses of Hattingley Valley fizz.

Returning that evening for dinner, we began with cocktails from an inventive menu including pineapple and chilli Margaritas and Silverlake Shirley Temples. As well as the same small plates as the lunchtime service, the evening menu consisted of Dorset cider steamed muscles, whole roasted catch of the day, and Iron Age pork chops.

We ordered the 12oz Aurox sirloin of beef - cooked to perfection at medium-well - with Firefly beef dripping chips and pink peppercorn sauce. A triumph. The bottle of light Leoube from France had us taking a photo to source one at home. As meals go, both lunch and dinner were noteworthy.

SWEET STAY?

We stayed in Everdene, a five-bed, four-bath, three-storey modern house with a huge kitchen, an open-plan lounge with a wood burning stove, full-height glass with lake views, and sliding doors out onto a terrace with a pontoon onto the water and a four-man hot tub ready to sink into.

A welcome hamper of eggs, bacon, smoked salmon, rustic loaf and a bottle of locally-produced fizz went down a storm.

Our room, on the top floor, had its own en-suite with roll-top bath and huge walk-in-shower, as well as ESPA amenities. After dinner, we poured ourselves a glass of fizz and lit the fire using the wood and kindling provided; that morning we made a fresh pot coffee and enjoyed it on the terrace.

WE LOVED...

The food: everything we ate and drank during our visit was fresh, locally-sourced and lip-smackingly good.

The design of the spa: the individual black buildings, linked by the outdoor pool and all facing the lake, is a winner.

Our accommodation was everything we would wish for in a holiday home - well-thought-out, well designed and very well-stocked.