The Swinton Country Club & Spa

You know you have arrived at The Swinton Country Club & Spa, which dates back to the 1800s, when you see the ornate ivy-covered towers and turrets as you approach. The hotel and spa are at the centre of 200 acres of landscaped grounds within the Yorkshire Dales.

With its contemporary wood and glass construction, the standalone spa is a sharp contrast to the antiquity of the hotel and located a short walk from it. If you're staying at the property and it's raining -- or you're laden with luggage -- use a golf buggy to go between the two. Glass sliding doors at reception open to reveal a palette of earthy browns, fern greens and sky blues, designed to bring the outside in.

Staff warmly greeted us in the light and spacious reception area, with its exposed wood and colourful artwork. We loved the living wall behind the desk and the giant pebble stools in the main area.

The spa, set over two floors, is surprisingly vast; we were very grateful for a printed map. Despite the size, it feels intimate with its ground-floor gym, fitness studio, pool, thermal suite and outdoor area; head upstairs for the treatment rooms and changing facilities.

There are plenty of large lockers in the stylish, well thought-out changing rooms; you'll find a fluffy robe, towel and slippers inside. The vanity area has comfortable seats and hairdryers; around the corner, there are large showers containing Bamford shampoo, conditioner and shower gel. Help yourself to a fresh towel, of which there are plenty, after showering.

One side of the impressive indoor pool is made up of exposed brickwork; the other has floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the sunny terrace. At 18 metres, the pool is a good size for working off your delicious spa lunch (or working up an appetite). Relax on one of several stylish loungers afterwards.

We began our thermal journey at the foot baths, selecting a warm setting to prompt relaxation. Next door is a hot Finnish sauna and a 100% humidity steam room designed to encourage deep muscle relaxation. Both can accommodate up to six people. The Salt Steam room by the hydro-pool is smaller but offers a slightly lower temperature for those who find full-blast steam a little much.

The hydro-therapy pool, with its warm bubbly water and three powerful jets, is a real highlight, as is the spa garden. Here, a 10-metre natural pool for bathing is bio-filtered by reeds from the pond next to it. The natural pool is a bit chilly at about 18-20 degrees, but you can warm up in the cedar wood hot tub after taking a quick dip, or snuggle under a duvet on a lie-back recliner. Tucked away around the corner is the outdoor sauna, along with some secluded seating with overhead heaters.

Feeling restless? Make good use of the spa's well-equipped gym and fitness studio. Upstairs there are three relaxation zones for post-treatment resting.

We enjoyed a Bamford Body Signature (90 minutes, £110).

My therapist, Dalu, met me in the treatment area and led me to a stylish treatment room which was modern and cosy. Dalu talked me through the treatment and enquired about any concerns before asking me to choose an oil based on smell.

Once I was settled on the bed, the treatment began with a foot ritual using my chosen oil: a blend of rosemary, lemon and cedar wood designed to relax, cleanse and detoxify. Dalu used a range of massage techniques to relax me, beginning with Japanese shiatsu rocking movements using her hands on my back through a towel. Removing the towel, Dalu adopted a Swedish-style massage on my back and legs, working hard to combat the stubborn knots in my shoulders.

When I turned over, Dalu placed warm chakra stones on my abdomen and began moving them around in a clockwise motion, holding them firmly in place every now and again. This practice aims to relieve pain and improve digestion.

Dalu then used pressure work to relieve the tension in my face, neck and shoulders, ending with an incredible Indian head massage. The treatment ended with a facial oil containing rosehip which, Dalu told me, is good for smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles. My skin certainly felt much smoother afterwards, while my mind and body felt much more relaxed.

Afterwards, Dalu led me to one of three relaxation rooms; this one designed for some post-treatment relaxation or snoozing with its low-lighting and waterbeds.

Swinton Country Club & Spa offers a good selection of Bamford and Elemis facials, wraps and massages, including deep tissue and hot stones. Men and mums-to-be are also catered for. For finishing treatments such as manicures and pedicures, try The Beauty Cottage on the ground floor. There's a hair salon here, too.

You can opt to get dressed and eat in the Terrace Restaurant next to the spa or continue your spa journey (and remain in your robes) in the poolside atrium. You can also have afternoon tea in the hotel's Drawing Room or order a picnic from the hotel and explore the grounds.

We stayed in the atrium and enjoyed a selection of small plates, several ingredients coming straight from the property's own kitchen garden. Our radishes with herb mayo, roasted celeriac with local cheese and fresh asparagus were outstanding. To finish, we treated ourselves to some home-made Flavours of the Garden mint and chocolate ice cream.

If you're staying overnight, you can dine at The Terrace next to the spa. Our turbot was so delicious we had to ask the chef how it was made (white wine, butter, capers and shallots, apparently). Not a low-calorie option but well worth the indulgence.

We loved

The design: The ultra-modern spa offers plenty of spa experiences -- both dry and wet and inside and out -- but also feels imitate and relaxed.

The food: Much of the produce comes from the kitchen garden, so it couldn't be fresher; the chef then creates something inventive and interesting.

The outdoor terrace: This is a sheltered suntrap; brave the natural pool (at 18-20 degrees) and then warm up in the hot tub.

The amazing relaxation areas: Choose from bean bags in the lounge area, recliners in the relax room, cubicles with blankets in the slumber room, or water beds in the sleep room. Relaxation guaranteed.

We didn't love

Having to hand our robes back: They are super soft, fluffy and generously cut.

Some teething problems: Part of the hydro-therapy pool was not working, and there were missing tiles in the steam room.

Couples: With outdoor hot tubs and duvets to snuggle under, couples will feel right at home.

Solo spa-goers: Swinton Country Club & Spa is a fantastic spa for peaceful contemplation.

Eco spa-goers: The natural pool is cleansed using reeds, while the spa is heated using biomass from the estate.

We awarded Swinton Country Club & Spa a Good Spa Guide bubble rating of 5 bubbles. With its fresh design, amazing food, great facilities and good range of treatments, there is enough here to fill an entire day. Stay for longer and enjoy the beautiful setting, too.

Sybaritic Spy visited in June 2018 and awarded it 5 Bubbles.