The Woodland Spa

Surrounded by the rolling Lancashire countryside, the Woodland Spa is a day spa within the Crow Wood Leisure Centre. A destination in its own right, the spa has seven (yes, seven) pools, impressive thermal facilities, a delightful outdoor terrace with its own bar, and a 2 AA rosette restaurant.

Staff at the leisure centre warmly welcomed us and took us through to the spa. The spa reception has double-height windows looking out to the hydrotherapy pool; it is bright and airy. The treatment rooms and spa restaurant are upstairs.

After we had filled in our form, one of the reception team talked us through our day, went through the map with us, and showed us through to the changing rooms. Clusters of large wooden lockers containing flip-flops, a robe and a fluffy towel line the walls; use the faux-leather benches in the centre for changing or pop into one of two private changing cubicles.

Limestone-effect showers contain Neal and Wolf shampoo, conditioner and shower gel. On hand afterwards is a swimsuit dryer with bags, and a mirrored vanity bar with tissues, hairdryers and straighteners for post-spa preening.

On a sunny day, head straight to the outdoor roof terrace. There are three pools to choose from: a wonderfully bubbly infinity-edge pool under a retractable roof, two hot tubs and a rather refreshing unheated 12-metre pool, perfect for swimming lengths. Wicker sofas and rattan loungers are dotted around the edge; order a glass of fizz in the terrace bar and settle onto a lounger with a good book. On cooler days, you can curl up by an enclosed fire pit.

The Woodland Spa's indoor thermal suite is impressive, too, with its 7.5-metre bubbly hydrotherapy pool surrounded by loungers and columns, and attractive ceiling lights featuring giant glass leaves.

Of the thermal facilities on offer, we started at the Roman foot baths with their reflexology-effect bubbles before moving onto the traditional pine-scented sauna, which is big enough for eight. The two steam rooms include a salt steam room and a more traditional humid steam room with a delightful rose fragrance.

If you're not a fan of the heat, head to the cooler sanarium -- which overlooks the outdoor terrace and pool -- or cool off in between heat experiences at the ice fountain or under the experience showers. There's an ice bucket, too if you're brave enough.

Our favourite indoor experience is the Serenity room, a dark room lined with comfortable rattan loungers with soft blankets and cushions; perfect for an afternoon snooze. You'll find, rather unusually, a Serenity pool in the centre. Float around this warm pool, with its low lighting, without a care in the world.

The Woodland Spa also has two rasul mud rooms (bookable extras) and a large, light and airy manicure and pedicure suite. The Spa is part of the Crow Wood leisure centre and spa guests can use the large gym and enjoy classes on their spa day.

We tried the Paradise Escape Signature Treatment (105 minutes, £115), a top-to-toe ritual created by the therapists at The Woodland Spa.

Danielle, my therapist, led me to a modern, softly lit, warm room and invited me to sit on a chair so that she could talk me through the treatment and ask about areas of concern. Danielle then left the room so that I could get comfortable on the treatment bed.

Back in the room, Danielle asked me to take a few deep breaths to inhale an invigorating and uplifting Decléor Aroma Comfort oil; this helped me to relax and put my mind at ease. Danielle then performed a foot cleanse and massage, paying close attention to the pressure points on my feet.

For the scrub, Danielle smoothed a Decléor 1000 grain body exfoliator on my arms; I turned over so that she could repeat the procedure on my back and shoulders. Whilst showering the scrub off, I noticed it become a milk, nourishing my skin as it washed away. One touch of my skin and I could feel the difference.

When I was back on the treatment bed, Danielle massaged a 100% raw and organic coconut oil all over my body. It melted beautifully into my skin and felt really nourishing. She applied paraffin wax mitts to my hand and feet; the warm wax felt so soothing, I could feel any tension melt out of my hands and feet. As the wax hardened, Danielle performed a dreamy neck, face and head massage using coconut oil.

By the time the treatment was over, I was in an extremely tranquil state. My skin felt silky soft, while my mind felt both relaxed and alert. Danielle talked me through some aftercare ideas before leading me to the dark relaxation room. While she poured me a glass of water, I wriggled under a blanket and lightly dozed.

The Woodland Spa offers a range of Decléor facials and massages, as well as Neom wellbeing treatments, hot stone massages, Indian head massages, pedicures, manicures and beauty treatments.

You can eat lunch in your robe, either in the two AA Rosette Bertram's, or the Terrace Bar; we opted for the latter and tucked into two small tapas dishes and a glass of Prosecco. Choose between three fish and meat dishes and four vegetable options. Bertram’s serves a range of classic dishes, like pan-fried sea bass and risotto as well as soup and sandwich and desserts.

Some spa packages include dinner at Bertram's instead of lunch – as we were staying overnight, we enjoyed both. Our goat's cheese burger with sweet potato fries was a triumph, followed by the raspberry and white chocolate crème brûlée -- a great way to end the meal.

No matter where you dine, there are some options for vegetarians and those who are gluten-free. The chefs can cater for other free-from requirements with some prior notice, too. 

We loved

The outdoor spa terrace: This is a real treat on a sunny day.

Our treatment: Designed by the therapists, the Paradise Escape treatment was utterly unique and unlike anything we have ever experienced. Paradise indeed.

We didn't love

There was no poolside waiter service: This would put the cherry on the spa cake.

The spa is very popular (rightly so, we might add) and can get a little busy at times. You may find yourself waiting a while to use some of the more popular facilities.

Sociable spa goers: We saw plenty of couples, groups of friends and mothers and daughters on our visit.

Active spa-istas will love the fitness facilities and range of classes on offer in the leisure centre.

Overnighters: The rooms are wonderful, and dining at Bertram's was a real highlight.

We awarded The Woodland Spa a Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of 5 Bubbles. This large spa has a great range of facilities that are perfect for sharing. The treatment menu offers personalised, good value-for-money treatments, too, while the hotel and restaurant offer a fantastic break from the norm.

Scarlet Spy visited in July 2018 and awarded it 5 Bubbles.