We try a Tailored For You Massage at Whittlebury Spa

Take me with you…

You’ll find Whittlebury Hall - a Georgian hotel set in a 700-acre estate with conference centre, two restaurants and 36-hole championship golf course – at the end of a windy country road. For many, world-famous Silverstone race track is the star attraction, with Whittlebury’s own Farm Campsite just a 10-minute stroll from all the high-speed action.

Shall we spa?

With its relaxed vibe and excellent value, the spa at Whittlebury Hall is a good choice for friends - it occupies its own wing and contains both a health club and a day spa. After checking in at reception and enjoying a herbal tea, we slipped into our super-soft robes and checked out the spa’s heat and ice experiences – which form a circle around the bubbly hydrotherapy pool. Guests can saunter from sanarium – complete with birdsong soundtrack - to ice bucket shower; caldarium to experience shower. We roasted in the large hot sauna (heated to 85 degrees) before rubbing handfuls of ice onto our toasty skin in the ice cave. Just down the corridor, you’ll find the leisure centre with 19-metre Grecian-inspired pool (think stone pillars, naked statues and painted Grecian scenes on the walls). 

Treatment talk

We tried a Tailored For You Massage (50 minutes, £69).

My therapist, Bianca, collected me from the treatment waiting area – an expansive light and airy space with tiled floor, wicker tables and chairs, and a huge display of ESPA products – and led me to one of 32 treatment rooms. 

Bianca asked if I had any areas of concern – a little stiffness in my neck and shoulders – and left the room so I could disrobe and lie face down on the bed. 

Bianca commenced the treatment with a foot cleanse, before massaging my back using long, firm, strokes with her forearms to stretch out the muscles. To alleviate the stiffness in my neck and shoulders, Bianca applied ESPA’s Muscle Remedy Balm - a cooling and rejuvenating mix of peppermint and eucalyptus, clove and rosemary. Her hands felt almost mechanical (in a good way) as she worked on my neck muscles, before moving on to the backs of my legs. 

Turning onto my back, Bianca placed a hot stone on each of my shoulders to continue to loosen any lingering tension before massaging the front of my legs and my feet. She finished the treatment with a blissful scalp massage before fetching me a glass of water. 

How did it measure up?

Bianca really knows her stuff, pinpointing areas of tension and providing sound after care. I certainly felt less wonky and very soothed; the eucalyptus-scented balm was comforting yet rejuvenating. Bianca led me to the low-lit relaxation room with six loungers and four heavenly water beds to lounge on - I chose the latter. Active spa-goers will love the ESPA Muscle Remedy Balm; slather it on post-run/HIIT session to soothe achy hard-working muscles. 

Spot of lunch?

All day spa-ers get to enjoy a buffet lunch – in their robe - in the Terrace Café in the leisure club. If a buffet fills you with trepidation – as it did me - fear not: we feasted on a huge choice of fresh salads, smoked salmon, Mackerel and a delightful selection of pickles. There’s a selection of hot food, too, and - for dessert - fresh fruit and decadent mini puds all washed down with a glass of Prosecco (ordered from the bar). 



Got all day?

If you haven’t got to rush off, we recommend you take full advantage of the two relaxation areas. Bag one of the four water beds and take a post-treatment nap or head to the Whisper Room - a low-lit, high-ceiling, chill-out space complete with hanging egg chairs, double loungers and Himalayan salt lamps. Draw the flowing drapes across and partition your space off for added privacy.

Short on time?

The heat and ice experiences are great fun and super-invigorating - don’t miss them.