The Woodland Spa

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Embraced by the rolling Lancashire countryside, the Woodland Spa is a day spa within the Crow Wood Leisure complex which - in turn - forms part of the Crow Wood Hotel. A destination in its own right, the spa has nine (yes, nine) pools, impressive thermal facilities, a delightful outdoor terrace with its own bar and two AA rosette restaurants.

WHAT’S ON OFFER?

The newly expanded (i.e. doubled in size) spa is housed in a separate building to the hotel; access it directly from the spa car park or - if you’re staying overnight - ask the concierge to take you in a golf buggy and arrive in style.

Walk under the attractive autumnal leaf ceiling feature to the spa reception which is light and spacious with retail products on display. One of the spa reception team greeted us, presented us with an itinerary and walked us through our day using a map (it’s large) before handing us over to a spa host, who showed us through to the changing rooms.

Clusters of large wooden lockers line the walls of the changing facilities, creating something of a maze. Luckily, hosts and wall signs will assist. You'll find a white robe, towel and flip-flops in your pre-allocated locker; use the faux-leather benches for changing, or pop into one of two private changing cubicles.

The loos and showers containing Neal and Wolf body wash, shampoo and conditioner can be found behind the sleek nude glass cubicle doors. On hand afterwards is a swimsuit dryer with bags, and several mirrored vanity bars with round stools in front, as well as tissues and hairdryers for post-spa titivating.

The Woodland Spa's indoor thermal suite is impressive - take a left out of the changing rooms to reach the 7.5-metre bubbly hydrotherapy pool surrounded by loungers, columns and charming ceiling lights featuring giant glass leaves.

We began our thermal journey at the Roman foot baths with their reflexology-effect bubbles before moving onto the three-tier, pine-scented sauna which was roomy enough for eight spa-goers.

You’ll find two steam rooms to get hot under the collar in: a salt steam room and a more traditional humid experience with a delightful rose fragrance.

If you're not a fan of the heat, head to the cooler Sanarium overlooking the outdoor terrace and pool or cool off in between heat experiences at the ice fountain or under an experience shower.

Despite the unpredictable autumn weather, we braved the outdoor terrace with its three pools: a brilliantly bubbly infinity-edge pool sitting under a retractable roof, two hot tubs and an unheated 12-metre pool, perfect for swimming lengths in more clement weather.

Slump onto a wicker sofa or rattan lounger afterwards and lose yourself in a book or (as we did) order a cocktail from the Terrace Bar. Two enclosed fire pits come into their own on wintery days, as does the Serenity room - a dark area lined with comfortable rattan cushioned loungers, perfect for an afternoon snooze. A Serenity pool sits, rather unusually, in the centre. We floated around in the warm waters without a care in the world.

Back down the corridor, passing the changing rooms, the area opens up with a high arched ceiling marking the new extension. The showstopper here is the waterfall gushing out of a marble wall at the back of vitality pool which has swan neck fountains and four hot tubs, one in each corner. You’ll find plenty of loungers to relax post-swim.

This new area also offers a Sanarium, more Roman foot baths, two experience showers and the multi-sensory Ice Lounge, a cold - but not freezing - space. Grab handfuls of ice as it pushes up from the cube in the centre and rub on achy joints and muscles.

Make sure you leave enough time to experience the new Rooftop with its infinity pool with a view. On warmer days, you can dry off on one of the many sun loungers, relax on a day bed for two or shimmy up to The Rooftop Bar to order a pizza and a cocktail. Two enclosed fire pits will warm you up on cooler days.

Two Rasul mud rooms (bookable at extra cost) a light and airy manicure and pedicure suite and a large post-treatment relaxation room complete the long list of facilities.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR TREATMENT

We tried a Temple Spa Champagne and Truffles Facial (75 minutes, £106).

Hayley, my therapist, led me to one of the new modern, softly lit treatment rooms and invited me to sit on a chair so that she could talk me through the treatment and enquire about my skin. She then left the room so that I could get comfortable on the treatment bed, lying face down.

The treatment began with a foot ritual followed by a massage on my back, neck and shoulders; an excellent start. Hayley then asked me to turn over so that she could begin the impressive facial which commenced with a double cleanse using Temple Spa's Cleansing Balm followed by a cleansing gel. Hayley then reached for a buzzing sonic cleansing brush and used it for a deeper clean.

After a gentle exfoliator, Hayley applied a glycolic resurfacing peel – which fizzed on my skin – whilst this did its thing, she massaged my chest, shoulders and decollete. The facial massage that came next included lifting around my jaw and cheekbones, and cool rose quartz stones - these felt delightfully refreshing on my skin. 

Hayley then applied Trufflesque, an anti-ageing and hydrating mask. While its properties plumped and lifted, she performed a heavenly scalp massage using warm oil - the tension simply melted from my body.

The treatment concluded with several finishing products from the Temple Spa Truffle range. After coming to, Hayley handed me a glass of water and led me to the relaxation room where I climbed onto a bed and snuggled under a blanket in a deeply tranquil state.

The treatment menu at Woodland Spa is vast, offering facials and massages from Temple Spa & Medik8 and manis/pedis from OPI, as well as hot stone massages, Indian head massages and a range of beauty treatments.

FOOD FACTS

For casual dining you can enjoy ‘Tapas in the Terrace’ at the ground level outdoor bar or ‘Pizza on the Rooftop’. Both offer a good selection of drinks, including impressive cocktails and smoothies.

For spa day inclusive lunches, you can remain in your robe and head upstairs to 2 AA Rosette Bertram's, the spa's a la carte restaurant with its green views through floor-to-ceiling windows. On the menu: a classic selection of seasonal dishes such as pork and leek sausages and mash, and pan-seared sea bass, as well as soups, sandwiches and homemade desserts.

Our spa break included an evening meal at Bertram's rather than lunch. We began our meal with olives and hummus which we munched while poring over two menus: Classic and the Bertram’s Restaurant Rosette Experience.

The latter captured our attention, and we savoured every mouthful of the Argentinian red prawns poached in chardonnay, shallot and black garlic with seared king scallops. Our spa partner devoured the black truffle cheddar croquette, roasted hazelnuts, confit beetroot and roast garlic. For mains we ordered the honey roast duck breast – which was served beautifully pink – with cracked black pepper sauce and two sides: confit carrots and dauphinoise potato. Our spa partner’s tandoori Hake was as colourful as it was tasty; sides of aromatic broccoli and sweet potato fries the perfect accompaniment.

We ended the meal with the recommended Baileys & Coffee: honeycomb chocolate brownie, Valrhona mousse, Bailey’s cream and espresso ice cream. Hello. The generous portion of the classic sticky toffee pud defeated our spa partner (even after some belt loosening).

WE LOVED / WE DIDN’T LOVE

We loved

The facilities have doubled in size since our last visit - the rooftop infinity pool is a winner.

The new relaxation room is the perfect post treatment space with its calming red and bronze tones and huge beds, of which there are 14.

Not having time restrictions: the size of the expanded spa allows spa-goers to stay all day and enjoy all the facilities.

We didn't love

The lack of changing room amenities: while we like the clean minimalist look of the new changing rooms, we missed having cleanser and hair styling tools to hand at vanity stations.

WHO DO YOU THINK WOULD LIKE IT?

Sociable spa goers: we saw groups of friends, couples, and mothers and daughters enjoying the spa on our visit.

Anyone who loves a treatment: there is a wide choice at The Woodland Spa.

Overnighters: the rooms are fantastic; being able to try both restaurants was a real highlight.

WHICH BUBBLE RATING DID YOU AWARD THIS SPA?

We awarded The Woodland Spa a Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of 5 Bubble Luxury for its extensive facilities – both old and new – finger-licking food and signature treatments.

Serene Spy visited in November 2024 and awarded it 5 Bubble Luxury.