TAKE ME WITH YOU…
You’ll find Whittlebury Hall - a 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 racetrack is the star attraction, with Whittlebury’s own Farm Campsite just a 10-minute stroll from all the high-speed action. Drive into the guest car park on the left and stroll to the front door.
SHALL WE SPA?
The spa occupies its own wing of the hotel and contains both a health club and a day spa.
After checking in at the health club’s own reception with its view of the pool, we received wrist bands for our pre-assigned lockers, a bag containing a white towel, some fluffy spa slippers and a grey robe, as well as an itinerary for our day.
We were then shown through to the changing rooms. These are basic but functional with small wooden lockers operated with said wrist band, wooden benches by which to change, four spacious showers with ESPA amenities, four clean loos and four hairdryers in front of mirrors. We also spotted one pair of straighteners and a swimsuit spinner.
The heat and ice experiences can be found beyond the changing rooms – these form a circle and almost look like a flower with a round, central section (with three swan necks) and six petal-like circular sections spreading out from the centre, some with bubble chairs. To the left you’ll find two heated tepidarium beds and two footbaths.
Guests can then circuit from the Sanarium – complete with birdsong soundtrack - to the cooler Caldarium back to the hotter-than-average sauna
(a fave with our spa partner). Two steam rooms (Crystal (with black walls and a crystal in the centre) and Salt (with central salty diffuser) provide that moist heat that’s perfect for banishing summer sniffles. Cool down under the experience shower afterwards or rub handfuls of ice on hot limbs from the ice cave; the brave can tip an ice bucket over their heads (we dare you).
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), ideal for swimming lengths.
TREATMENT TALK
We tried a Japanese Head Spa Treatment (50 minutes, £95) followed by an LED Facial (30 minutes, £69).
My therapist, Marika, 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.
Manika talked me through the treatment – a facial for the hair - and left the room so I could disrobe and lie face up on the bed; my hair reaching into the sink at the end.
Marika commenced the treatment by covering my eyes with a cooling Jade mask and grabbing a hand-held light to inspect my hair and scalp, noticing that it’s beaded (stripy at the roots) and dehydrated. When asked about my haircare routine, I embarrassingly admitted that I only wash it once a week and barely brush it. This isn’t a bad thing, she reassured me, with regular washing stripping the hair of its natural oils. Marika then used the light to take a picture of individual strands.
Similar to the steps of a facial, Marika cleansed my hair twice, washing the ESPA nourishing shampoo off with warm water before massaging a scrub into my scalp, which she again washed off. The mask that came next was a thick conditioner which Marika combed through my hair using her fingers. To ensure this penetrated, she lifted a huge plastic dome up from the ground and placed it over my hair, commenting that I looked a little like an Astro naught. Steam soon began coating my hair.
As it worked, Marika massaged my arms and hands. Mask washed off, Marika finished the treatment with a creamy conditioner and a lovely scalp massage. She then used the light to take some after pictures – showing me afterwards on an iPad so I could see that my dry hair was now super glossy.
Marika was my therapist for the second treatment, which took place on a chair in the treatment reception area. After a double cleanse using ESPA products, she used an exfoliating mask to clean deep down followed by a hydro plumping mask which she removed from a packet and placed over my face. Marika then angled the LED light towards me and set it for 10 minutes. Yellow lights moved across the panel until the time was up, and the machine turned itself off.
The facial ended with a Tri Activ Regenerating treatment oil to help reduce the appearance of dark spots, dots of eye cream, moisturiser and a spritz of toner.
My spa partner had the ESPA Men’s Deep Cleaning Facial (50 minutes, £89) and appeared by my side glowing (and grinning).
HOW DID IT MEASURE UP?
The nourishing Japanese Head Spa was a welcome – and rare – treat for my locks; the LED facial oh so effective.
SPOT OF LUNCH?
Day spa-ers get to enjoy a two-course buffet lunch – in their robe - in the Terrace Café in the leisure club with its windows looking out to the pool.
We feasted on a huge choice of fresh salads, garlicy prawns, lemony humous and Sushi. There’s a selection of hot food, too, and - for dessert - fruit and mini puds all washed down with a glass of Sav Blanc (ordered from the bar).
GOT ALL DAY?
The two-course lunch with a glass of wine or fizz will set you up nicely for the day. Make the most of the heat and ice experiences before heading for a swim. After a treatment, bag one of four water beds for a nap or head to the Whisper Room, a hushed space with hanging egg chairs and double loungers. Want to exercise? Hit the gym or join a class.
SHORT ON TIME?
The treatments are varied, good value and expertly delivered – make one (or two) a priority.
Good Spa Guide
14th August 2025
