Health Farms

[AliH]

I am desperately in need of some pampering post Christmas, and am thinking of going to a health farm for a day package.

Has anyone been to Hoare Cross Hall, or Inglewood?
I'm looking for somewhere really nice but not too stuffy,

I went to Hoar Cross Hall years ago, I enjoyed it, nice big building with nice grounds, just as they say, health farm in a stately home. Food was good. Coloured foods red or green, red go with caution, green eat loads. Went in a floatation tank which was great.

Been to Henlow Grange, much more 'health farmy'. Small bowls for your breakfast cereal, little tricks like that. Very very healthy. Lots going on.

Not been to Inglewood but friend went this year for a weekend and really enjoyed herself. Hidden away in the countryside.

Sister did some work at Forest Mere, very new with lots of great facilities in Hampshire.

If you are just doing a day, go somewhere close to home, I stayed over at mine and ended up going to bed really early on the first nights, really bad headache etc, apparently its all the 'detoxing' !! the massages etc, your body really notices. I couldnt have driven a long distance.

Hope you have a great relaxing time!

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Friend has just spent 3 days at Inglewood and loved it. She was worried that it 'might be a bit stuck up' but said it wasn't at all.

Hi AliH
I'm a bit of a health farm junkie and have been to quite a few of the biggies for the day courtesy of my lovely DH and his very generous crimbo/birthday gifts!

I have only ever been an at Hoar Cross and Inglewood and loved both of them.

They are very different though IMHO, Inglewood is very relaxed, homely, unpretentious, friendly, lovely therapists many of which have been there for years which is a very good sign. Two excellent male masseus (sp?) there who are a laugh and say all the old deeries end up chasing them! Best thing about it is that you can go out on an Inglewood bycicle for a tour of the village and accidently visit the pub and the great bakers in the village!

HCH is totally different, but not necessarily better, it is very swish and much more , it definately has better food, its a much more stunning building it has some good therapists but quite a high turnover of staff when I was there last

RobinW, Inglewood is one of the cheapest and Champneys is one of the most expensive, your are looking at minimum £100 for a top-to-toe day. They all do really good offers and the best thing is to phone them all, get on their mailing list and you'll hear about their cheapies.

I second what Ems says about go close to home or get someone else to drive you there. My favourite top-to-toe day was at The Sanctuary - absolute bliss and worth every penny, my second the spa at the Runnymede hotel and the worst was Sopwell House but they were in the middle of a massive refurb so it may be better now.

If you're close to town robinW the elemis spa is meant to be excellent but I've not had the pleasure of sampling that one yet!

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Hi AliH, Not sure where you live, but I've used Forest Mere in Hampshire a few times and am hooked. I definately recommend it both for a day and for a weekend. Food is great too.
RobinW I'm all for a mumsnet day at a health farm.

Has anyone been to the Sanctuary recently? I took my sister for the day about three years ago as a treat before I got married and we were both ill afterwards - don't know why! I got a day pass as a birthday present last year, but was reluctant to go while pregnant as I found the whole place really hot. Any views appreciated.

I have been to the Sanctuary a few times over the years and enoyed it but I did see recently an article about a few women who became ill after visiting the Sanctuary dont remember full details so you would need to investigate further

Robinw - There was a good article in the January Good Housekeeping with the top 10 spas. Hoar Cross Hall are doing a special in Feb.March midweek for £43 plus any additional treatments you want. Inglewood per day is around £75, and Ragdale is about the same. You can then add on treatments as you want.

Thanks for the info - I can't wait!!

Amymum, I thought the Sanctuary was great and have not heard about anyone getting ill, I can't believe it was the food as it all looked so fresh - maybe something in the water, hot tubs are a breeding ground for germs. I was pg when I went and was fine but then I avoided the hot tub anyway.

If your voucher is still valid and you dont want to use it I'll buy it off you - I'm going with my Sister for the day, next month.

AliH, before you make your decision on which health farm to choose, I'd recommend getting them to send you a price list of treatments to compare.

Also check carefully what treatments are included in the price as although Inglewood may look dearer it may include a couple of treatments and if you look at the price list you will see you are getting these at a vastly reduced rate.

I'd always go for the deal with the most treatments included as a 'cheapie' can become very expensive when you've added on the treatments. Then again if you just want to chill by the pool and not have many treatments then an accomodation only deal may be better for you.

Another tip is to decide what treatments you want to have before you go and then either book in advance of your arrival or book them up on your first day. This way you won't be disappointed as more often than not everything is booked up.