Country retreat

Armed with our Americano's from Recipease in Clapham Junction and overnight bags, five of us girls met to escape the wet city and break free for a countryside retreat over the bank holiday weekend.

I've always considered myself immune from all the hype about visiting a spa, but for £219 for a single room, a first rate 3-course dinner, breakfast, lunch, a 40 minute treatment and use of all the spa and sport facilities, this was a deal worthy of further investigation.

The original estate dates back to 1085. Jump forward a few centuries and in 1867 The Poet Laureate, Lord Alfred Tennyson rented Grayshott. Only in 1965 was the estate converted to a health and fitness retreat with further extensions and refurbishments completed in 2005. In 2012, my arrival is recorded.

Grayshott Spa Hotel

There were a few little glitches suggesting some updating may be required, but all-in-all the five of us had a wonderful escape from reality, kick-starting with aqua-aerobics, yoga, and our 40-minute massages before dressing up for a pre-dinner NON-alcoholic drink and canapes. I know this is a retreat, but really, no alcohol? This situation was swiftly rectified with a salmon-pink Provencal rose. A perfect wine to reflect the mood of our environment!

Our 3-course dinner in the conservatory was faultless and after an eventful afternoon we crashed into the comfy sofas in the lounge, lazing around the crackling fire where we discussed, analysed and considered the challenges of love and life.
After a peaceful night's sleep and a buffet breakfast (note that fried eggs, hash browns and bacon are not on the menu!) we shocked our systems into red-alert as we jumped from steam sauna to ice-cold plunge pool to the dry sauna to ice-cold plunge pool and back again. Whew! Invigorating!

Tennis (ahem!) was an entertaining event, enjoyed with great hilarity as we chased little green balls around the court. I got to use my lovely new racket for the first time and have promised to get some more practice this year. One forgets what an enjoyable sport it can be.

We returned to devour more food at the buffet lunch, eaten in our gowns and slippers (the old hats we are!), followed by a final splash in the outdoor pool. The water steamed off the surface as it reacted against the unpleasant 5 degree air temperature!

Feeling refreshed, well nourished, well slept and like I'd had a holiday, we reluctantly returned to London. I now see why, in this fast-paced world we live in, how great a place like this can be and I do look forward to my next escape.
For further information visit: www.grayshottspa.com