It was music to my ears, as the great news was announced! My proposed editorial suggestion to run a series of reviews on the top local Spa’s across the South Coast was going to make it into our flat plans. Jane our Editor had confirmed it, and I was going to be the lucky reviewer, our resident Spa guru! Fantastic, I thought – as I began my search for the first destination.

While considering my options I felt the first retreat of the series should be a venue with an excellent location, Grayshott Spa, situated in 47 acres of sweeping lawns and beautiful Surrey countryside, is just an hour from London, and for myself travelling from Hamble on the South Coast, it was a similar commute.

It was the end of another very busy week in the office, so the contrast on arrival into such a picturesque setting and calming ambience inside the once country home of Victorian Poet Laureate, Lord Alfred Tennyson, was quite something, I had entered into a calmer world, an environment and air space filled with calm and tranquillity.

I remembered being somewhat previously sceptical of their claim to ‘peace on arrival’ believing this was just something all Spa’s loved to say and promote within their marketing and advertising ploys. However, for me it had been successfully proven, the house was divine, and I was made to feel very welcome from the moment we arrived.

When I was asked to fill in my medical form, it did take me momentarily back into reality mind you, reminding me that I was in fact stood inside such a beautiful manor house reception, simply because I was in need as a sort of temporary cure to the stressful unhealthy lifestyle I led in the real world outside of the stunning grounds and gardens!

Despite being in full (perhaps even desperate!) need of a head-to-toe, inside and out, upwards and downwards, full mind and body maintenance check, I also felt a focus towards making the very most of my two days ahead, ready to be re-energised, and to enjoy my slice of a little Grayshott rejuvenation!

During the stay, one of my best highlights was participating in an early morning 30 minute gentle walk through the gardens of Grayshott Spa, which adjoined to the heathland of Hindhead Common, owned by the National Trust. A lovely way to start the day.

And of course, visiting the Spa, the Spa was sensational. Unique to Grayshott I had the pleasure of some Oriental Wisdom – a Natural Therapy massage devised by Director of Natural Therapies, Elaine Williams, who was recently featured in an article “The top 10 Therapists in the World” by the Telegraph, followed closely by a Grayshott Luxury Spa Facial.

Grayshott has spent over 40 years perfecting their holistic approach to well-being and offers a unique and extensive range of Natural therapies and lifestyle treatments devised to suit both female and male guests. 

I spent much of the late morning relaxing in the separate female spa’s own heat treatment areas, relaxation rooms and hydrotherapy suite, before taking a plunge in both the indoor and outdoor swimming pools.

SPA is an abbreviation of the Latin phrase: "Sanitus Per Aquam", which means "health thru water". One of the pleasures for me of visiting a Spa is simply the feeling you have as a result of drinking so much fresh water through the day (water is available practically every where you and your dressing gown go!).

Together with eating all the fresh fruit and varied selection of tasty but slimming foods, you feel fully refreshed, clear, and bright eyed. 

The lunch buffet was excellent; there was plenty of choice to suit an array of tastes and diets. Casual juice cocktails made the perfect accompaniment to the food. The puddings were of course healthy, but still delicious.

Following lunch was a round of competitive putting on the garden lawn, to include (if a may say so myself) a fantastic hole in one, another personal highlight from the trip! Many more active enthusiasts were around us too, some on power walks, playing tennis in both the indoor courts and newly revamped outdoor courts, and practicing rounds of golf on the picturesque course.

There was also an on-site gym and fitness studios, apparently that is. I steered clear. In fact I remember now, I said ‘perhaps next time I visit’ quite unconvincingly as we were shown round on our tour.

But for those of you that are be keen to know, it has just received a large overhaul with an array of up to date equipment, now available at your disposal. Grayshott have a great choice of free studio classes too, such as Yogs, Tai Chi and circuit training.

Thinking back to the tour, luckily for me, the hairdressers and beauty salon were just round the corner. Well you just can’t do it all, can you!

I am up to my word count now and have not yet even mentioned playing cluedo in the lounge after dinner, watching a film in the cinema room, or drinking a glass of Champaign in Bubbles bar, (luckily for me it’s not a dry Spa).

Highlights:

Being made to feel very comfortable.

Our room. A fabulous four-poster bed and balcony with sun loungers looking out across the lawn at the stunning woodland views.

The character and charm of the manor house, with an excellent mix of old and new.

My hole in one, beautifully delivered on pot number eight.

To find out more about Grayshott Spa, or to book a visit please visit www.grayshottspa.com or call the reservations team on 01428 602020.