ESPA at Lucknam Park

Grand black iron gates mark the entrance to Lucknam Park. They automatically open as you drive up and meander along the tree-lined driveway. The manor house sits proud, looking out over its 500 acres of land. An equestrian centre with well-bred horses grazing outside lies to one side of the house and a delightful, modern spa behind. 

Lucknam Park Spa takes up part of an extension, just a minute's walk from the hotel. The short walk transitions from historic to contemporary as you move along a lavender-lined pathway. The spa reception area is minimalist and modern with warm honey-coloured wood, simple white walls, a reception desk, and a spa boutique.

On check in, staff gave us a robe and slippers and showed us through to the changing rooms. These are large with banks of lockers lining the walls, a beige leather bench in the centre, a private changing cubicle, plenty of showers with Anne Semonin shampoo and conditioner, and a vanity area with hairdryers. The changing rooms have no facial skincare products, but you can ask for these at reception. There's also a small female-only sauna and steam room.

The pool area is filled with daylight streaming in through the curved glass roof and floor-to-ceiling windows at one end. The 20-metre pool changes hue depending on the time of the day; in the daytime, it is fresh and white; by night, it becomes a warm gold. Along one side is a fire wall so you can enjoy your dip looking at the flickering flames. Comfortable loungers surround the pool and six heated tepidarium beds overlook the garden.

Next to the pool are the thermal experiences. The journey starts with an amethyst crystal steam room which has dark mosaic tiles and a high-backed heated bench. The Japanese salt room is moderate with just a little steam; chill out on a mosaic-tiled bed and breathe in the salt. The aromatic steam room was very steamy and scented with jasmine. The traditional wooden sauna was very well heated, too. Each room has glass walls so you can look out over the pool, and each would take five people comfortably.

Use the indoor/outdoor hydro-pool to drift outside. Inside is a strong swan pipe and bubbly air beds; open a little hatch and you can swim outside to look out over the garden. The outdoor terrace around the pool has more comfortable loungers with stunning spa gardens beyond.

The treatment side of the spa feels more Asian, with darker wood and golden embellishments. The relaxation room has seven full-length, white loungers with pillows and blankets. Just outside, the small salt-water pool is exclusively for those who have had a treatment.

Next to the spa is the Wellbeing House. A former cottage, this quiet retreat offers yoga and Pilates classes, and holistic treatments such as dry floatation. The rooms in the Wellbeing House are much smaller than in the main spa building and the whole interior is white. The House's post-treatment room is small with just two beds and a little window looking over the grounds.

You can also glam up in the hair salon and nail lounge, or work out in the gym.

We had the Anne Semonin De-Stress Botanical Oil and Herbal Back Therapy (60 minutes, £99) and the Carita Radiance Facial (60 minutes, £99).

My therapist, Siobhan, collected me from the relaxation room and walked me to our treatment room, which was dimly lit with flickering candles.

After a brief consultation, I settled face down on the treatment bed. Siobhan began with a foamy back cleanse which she applied with small circular movements. She removed the cleanser with a steamy hot towel and wiped toner pads over my back. She followed with an oil massage using great pressure, just enough to unknot my back without being painful.

Siobhan helped me turn over and I lay down on a foil blanket covered in marine mud to soothe the skin on my back. She placed an eye pillow over my eyes and massaged my head and neck, then my feet and lower legs. To finish, Siobhan sat me up, removed the mud with a hot towel and applied a moisturiser.

For the Carita facial, Siobhan used a creamy cleanser on my face and neck. She removed the cleanser with hot mitts, then toned my skin with cotton pads. Next, Siobhan applied a sunflower-seed exfoliant; she pressed it into my skin using her hands to make large circles over my face. Once she had removed this, she painted a hydrating mask over my face and neck. While it set, Siobhan massaged my hands and arms. Finally, Siobhan removed the mask with hot mitts and applied a moisturiser and an eye gel.

The combination of the two treatments left me feeling very relaxed and I floated out of the treatment room. My skin was incredibly soft.

Lucknam Park offers ila, Anne Semonin and Carita face and body treatments as well as holistic treatments such as dry floatation, sunlight therapy and Reiki in the Wellbeing House. The spa menu has options for men, mums-to-be and "Little Miss" treatments for 8-16 year olds, too.

Lucknam Park is a treat for foodies. During a spa day, you can eat in your robe in the Brasserie, which is in the same modern building as the spa. The lunch menu has healthy and more indulgent options from salads to fish pie to steak burgers. We went for garden-vegetable salad to start and buckwheat noodle stir-fry as a main; both were light and tasty.

Save room to try the Michelin-starred Park restaurant for dinner. The elegant restaurant has a sky mural on the ceiling, and huge central chandeliers. We enjoyed scallops, sea bass, and a mango soufflé for dessert -- one of the best desserts we have ever had.

If you fancy getting more hands-on with the food, Lucknam Park has a cookery school in the grounds, so you can learn how to create your own masterpiece.

We loved

The grounds: You could lose an afternoon strolling around looking at the flora and fauna, or enjoy a morning jog before breakfast.

The service: All of the staff around the hotel and spa were friendly, attentive, and made us feel very welcome.

The design: The use of daylight and glass makes it feel like you can really breathe at Lucknam. The spa does bring the outside in.

We didn't love

Not being able to stay longer...

Nature lovers: Lavender-lined pathways, gardens filled with wild flowers, 500 acres of parkland and endless amounts of trees make Lucknam Park a nature lover's dream. 

Couples: The peace and calm, along with the thermal journey in the spa, make for a great excuse to spend some quality time together.

Families: Children are made very welcome at Lucknam Park and have swimming times in the spa pool, too.

We awarded Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa our highest rating of 5 Bubble Luxury for its outstanding design, thoughtful service, peaceful relaxation spaces, and top-notch treatments. It's one of this Spa Spy's favourites.

Supreme Spy visited in September 2016 and awarded it 5 Bubble Luxury.