The Spa at Lucknam Park

First Impressions

Few hotels can lay claim to a having 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’ll 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.

What's on offer?

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 facilities.

Rich wood meets pale stone tiles in the changing rooms where a central dressing area with raised glass sinks, mirrored vanities and hairdryers awaits. 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. Move across to the small infrared sauna and sit while the infrared heat penetrates your back and muscles. 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 in soft greens and greys. 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.

Tell us about the treatments

We tried a Sonic Energy treatment (90 minutes, £240) followed by a Celestial Black Diamond Non-Surgical Face Lift (90 minutes, £255).

Lauren, my therapist for the holistic Sonic Energy, began by explaining that the treatment combines a massage with sound vibrations - some believe this balances the chakras to a form of ‘sound massage’. She helpfully showed me the tools she would use: two copper sound bowls, a shaker made from seashells and an extra-large tuning fork.

First, Lauren applied some non-setting pink clay blended with essential oils to my skin. Snug and warm on the wide bed, I settled down while the clay worked its magic. Lauren then used the sound bowls and tuning fork to generate vibrations within the room and on various parts of my body, including my feet, back, chest and pelvis.

She moved around the room striking the sound bowls at intervals - sometimes close to me so it was loud; at other times further away so the sound faded. She then struck the tuning fork and held it on my head, neck and jaw so that the positive energy could vibrate through.

The treatment finished with a massage focussing on the meridian points to release energy. The pink clay left my skin feeling squeaky clean and silky soft. That night, I slept soundly and woke up feeling refreshed.

My therapist for the second treatment, Sammy, began the facial with a spritz of Celestial Black Diamond Brightening Essence. She then painted a Multi-Acid Accelerated Peel containing Retinol and fine Black Diamond particles onto my face and across my neck and décolleté. This felt pleasantly cold as it went on. Sammy removed this and replaced it with an Essence Infusion mask.

Sammy then applied a serum and performed an incredible deep tissue massage on my face and décolleté, lifting and sculpting the skin with firm strokes, carefully working each muscle group using a combination of deep holding, pinching and lifting. At times this felt almost (but not quite) painful.

Celestial Black Diamond Eye Masks were placed under each eye and a Lifting & Firming Treatment Sheet Mask placed over my face, neck and décolleté. While the masks worked, Sammy carried out a scalp massage that extended down to the back of my neck. Masks removed, this epic facial ended with some Vitamin C Brightening Booster.

Unsurprisingly, the results were dramatic: my skin looked fresher and brighter, my face (which gravity is beginning to pull downwards) firmer and my jawline more clearly defined. If you ever glance in the mirror and think that you are starting to look like your mother, this is the treatment to book. Why not take your mum along, too?

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 Nailberry and Shellac manicures and pedicures.

Food Facts

During a spa day, you can dine in your robe in the Walled Garden, which is in the same modern building as the spa. The menu itself has a pretty illustration of the estate on one side, and a good mix of healthy and more indulgent options overleaf. 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.

Knowing we would return to the Walled Garden for dinner, we kept lunch light and opted for smoked salmon and chicken and avocado sandwiches.

Our starter that evening was a shared Cornish crab toasty with creamy fresh crab on crisp sourdough toast. My perfectly cooked rib eye steak for mains was accompanied by Hispi cabbage with sweet mustard. Sticking with the sea, our spa partner’s catch of the day of flaky cod served with French fries and peas hit the spot. We were both tempted by the cherry and chocolate frangipane with tonka beans but resisted, choosing instead to sit back and enjoy a glass of wine.

We loved / we didn't love

We loved

The oh-so peaceful setting: the pool is a delight to sit beside as well as swim in. The ventilation system keeps the pool area warm and dry, and the lights in the glass ceiling shine down if the weather is dull. The outdoor hydrotherapy pool is surrounded by lovely gardens.

The cutting-edge treatments: if a spa can impress a well-travelled Spa Spy they really are doing something new and inventive.

Being taken care of: all the staff focused on looking after guests; robes and towels are soft and fluffy, and the therapists excellent.

We didn't love

Not knowing when we might be able to return.

Who do you think would like it?

Anyone who loves a treatment: there is a wide and unusual choice at Lucknam Park.

Your American cousins, sisters and aunts: or anyone else you would like to impress. Lucknam is a perfect example of a Palladian mansion with the added attraction of a very modern spa.

Anyone in need of nurturing: enjoy the peace of the countryside, stroll through the gardens, de-stress with a treatment and then doze off in the restful relaxation areas.

What bubble rating did you award this spa?

Once again, we awarded The Spa at Lucknam Park a Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of Five Bubble Luxury for its glorious parkland setting, wide range of facilities, excellent treatments and good customer service.

Sybaritic Spy visited in August 2024 and awarded it 5 Bubble Luxury.