It’s hard not to let out a large sigh when you roll up up the driveway to Ragdale Hall, a grandiose building with red-brick peaking through the ivy growing over the front. There’s an air of calm about the place, settled in fields upon fields of greenery to make it feel a lot more remote than it is (Loughborough railway station is a handy 15 minutes away). Things get even better once you step through the door, when you’re instantly looked after.
Despite the building’s history, which dates back to the 18th century, it’s not all traditional here: the spa is home to all sorts of tech you’ll probably have never heard of. (Bubble shower, anyone?) The star of the show has to be the rooftop glass-heated infinity pool, which offers massaging jets and views out onto the calm of the front lawn. It’s a perfect place to spot wildlife or watch the world go by.
As impressive as the spa’s six pools and thermal journey are, if you’re craving some proper solitude, keep in mind that Ragdale is large and extremely popular (albeit for good reason), meaning some of the pools can get rather busy at times. But that’s not to say you’ll be left twiddling your thumbs while waiting for a spot. Chill out with a book in the cosy reception room, enjoy a tipple in the gorgeous micro-sized cocktail bar or join one of their many excellent gym classes (my legs, bum and tum were aching for days after – in the best way possible). There’s also a huge amount of beauty and spa treatments available (we enjoyed the serenity touch, a calming 40 minutes of head, leg and hand massage), so book yourself in before rolling into one of the simple yet impeccably clean, comfy rooms.
We left feeling properly at ease – after only one night away
Food wise, you could do a lot worse than enjoying their stacked buffet breakfast (or order one to your room to enjoy in bed) and healthy buffet lunch offering the likes of salads, salmon and potatoes. Dinner is served à la carte: all classic British fare done to a deliciously high standard. And the vibe? Unstuffy, warm, with staff who give you service with a smile but in a genuine, non-fake way.
Due to the sheer scale of this place, you’re not going to get the same sort of boutique feel as other, smaller spas. But that doesn’t mean you’ll have any less of a good time. If you’re in a group, if top-notch facilities and a huge array of treatment options are what you want – and if you want to be properly looked after, you really can’t go wrong. We left Ragdale feeling rejuvinated and properly at ease – after only one night away.