The Spa at Lucknam Park

Few hotels can lay claim to such an impressive entrance: Lucknam Park's driveway is lined with trunk after trunk of towering beech trees. At the end of the arrow-straight road you arrive at a grand Italianate Cotswold manor house. Head through the pretty courtyard garden to the classy, light-filled spa, surrounded by 500 acres of grounds dotted with mature trees, trickling streams and pretty flowerbeds.

The spa is housed in a modern, glass-fronted building within charming walled gardens. One side is taken up by the brasserie, the other the impressive spa wing. In between is a minimalist and airy reception area, where you check in. A receptionist will give you a wristband which grants you access to the spa facilities.

Enter the changing rooms, where rich wood meets pale stone tiles. There’s a central dressing area with raised glass sinks, mirrored vanities and hairdryers; at the far end you’ll find rows of solid wood code-activated lockers, a large bench for changing and shelves containing fresh white robes, towels and slippers. The showers are stocked with Natural Spa Factory shampoo, conditioner and body wash. There's one private changing room, as well as a wheelchair-accessible shower. The changing rooms house a cosy steam room and sauna, too.

Lucknam Park's beautiful 20-metre swimming pool will take your breath away: a curved glass ceiling shows off English skies, while creamy tiles cleverly mirror the hotel's Cotswold stone exteriors. A slick ribbon fireplace flickers seductively along one wall.

The main thermal facilities are to the right. We began in the Amethyst room, tiled wall-to-wall in glistening purple mosaics with a huge crystal set into the ceiling. The super-steamy Japanese salt room has five curved heated loungers allowing you to lie back and absorb its detoxifying benefits. Pit stop in one of the experience showers with their huge square heads, or grab a cup of water from the dispenser before planting yourself in the spacious cedar-lined sauna with its amber and pink salt brick feature. If you're looking for a less intense heat experience, head along the pool to a cooler steam room which feels airy behind a sheer glass wall.

The toasty indoor/outdoor hydrotherapy pool has a swan pipe and a button-operated sliding door opening to the outside, where views over the beautifully tended gardens await.

There are plenty of loungers poolside to choose from. Lie back and marvel at the sky-high ceilings. On sunny days, there are ample loungers outside, too.

The treatment reception area is a peaceful oasis with sofas and chairs. There’s also a light-filled relaxation room for spa guests only at the back of the treatment area, with floor-to-ceiling doors which open onto a private spa garden. Inside are seven large and comfortable loungers for snoozing, as well as wellbeing books to flick through.

There's also a gym within the spa building and a garden-view yoga pavilion in a nearby building.

We tried the Lucknam Mindful Massage (90 minutes, £195).

My therapist, Lauren, met me in the comfortably chic treatment lounge and led me to a tastefully beige treatment room. She spoke knowledgably and with enthusiasm about the treatment and products. We discussed my concerns and chose oils through a scent test – I was drawn to a soothing Natural Spa Factory Calming Body Oil, a hug in a bottle.

Lauren left me to disrobe and lay face up on the heated bed. The hypnotic sound of a bell signified the start of the treatment and continued to chime over each of my seven chakra points.

Lauren began guiding me through the breathing and visualisation techniques; her soothing voice encouraging me to release any negative emotions and energy.

Next, she began a gentle massage on the metamorphic zones of the feet – using reflexology points to unblock energy.

Lauren then moved into the full body massage, uncovering one side of the body at a time and using long, sweeping motions. Turning onto my front, she continued the same on the other side of my body before moving into a back, neck and shoulder massage.

Finally, Lauren performed a blissful scalp massage using warm Rose Quartz Crystals. The end of the treatment was signified with the chime of the bell, which gently brought me back to the room.

Lauren led me to the relaxation room and offered me a glass of fruit water or Camellia’s Tea. I felt so relaxed and soothed, gazing out over the pretty spa garden. My skin felt soft and supple from the oils and I had an overall sense of calm. A beautifully balancing and soothing treatment.

You’ll find 111Skin treatments at Lucknam Park, along with their own signature treatments. There's a keen focus on holistic, naturally-inspired treatments for mind and body wellness, such as mindfulness massage, reiki and crystal healing. The Spa also offer CND and Shellac manicures and pedicures.

During a spa day, you can dine in your robe in the a la carte Brasserie, which is in the same modern building as the spa and has an area specially for spa guests. The menu itself has a pretty illustration of the estate on one side, and a good mix of healthy and more indulgent options inside. You can try wood-fired pizzas, plenty of fish options – including a Cornish catch of the day - pasta dishes, salads and several dessert choices, including rhubarb and custard choux buns and a selection of local cheeses.

For lunch we enjoyed a deliciously light, pre-spa-ing dish of Wye Valley asparagus with brown hens’ egg and Trealy Farm chorizo, alongside Bromham broccoli with crispy onions and horseradish salad cream.

If you're visiting Lucknam Park for a special occasion, you might want to indulge in the hotel's afternoon tea served in The Library or Drawing Room. In the evening, you can dine informally in The Brasserie – we did and enjoyed grilled Cornish mackerel to start, Tim Johnson’s ribeye steak with Jersey Royal potatoes and wild garlic pesto for mains and a decadent flourless chocolate pud with honeycomb and almond ice cream for dessert. Alternatively, try the Restaurant Hywel Jones, named after the executive chef who has held a Michelin star since 2006.

We loved

The hydrotherapy pool overlooking the gardens and trees: such a peaceful and beautiful spot, especially in the sunshine.  

Our treatment: an utterly blissful combination of sound bath, guided meditation, holistic full body massage and reflexology.

Horse-whispering: an incredible adrenaline-pumping experience as you come shoulder-to-shoulder with one of the resident horses; tuning into their instincts and body language by learning to communicate like a horse. The experience left me buzzing for the rest of the week. Highly recommended.

Our blissful evening yoga session with Catherine in the purpose-built yoga studio: after a dynamic flow, we got horizontal on the floor – tucked under fluffy blankets – and unravelled to the sound of birdsong. What better way to de-stress?

We didn't love

Having to leave.

The intimate but elegant environment is great for couples, small groups of friends, or mother-daughter duos.

Foodies will love the Michelin-starred restaurant as well as the cookery school.

Holistic enthusiasts will love Lucknam’s approach to treatments, while country-philes will adore the equestrian school and gardens.

We awarded Lucknam Park Spa Good Spa Guide's highest Bubble Rating of 5 Bubble Luxury for its fresh and modern design embracing the serene outdoors, delicious local food and luxurious treatments with a strong focus on mind and body wellness. It's a Spa Spy favourite.

Scarlet Spy visited in June 2022 and awarded it 5 Bubble Luxury.