Spa Review : Ragdale Hall (Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire)

A Ragdale Hall Spa Day is what you need if you are looking for a relaxing and indulging time. Located in a beautiful rural village in Melton Mowbray, Ragdale Hall is the place to be if you want to escape from the routine and stresses of daily life. We recently had the opportunity to enjoy a spa day at Ragdale Hall and thoroughly enjoyed it. The day package allows you access to all the spa and leisure facilities, a treatment of your choice as well as your fill of a delicious lunch.

It was a 2 hours drive from Enfield to Melton Mowbray and as we drove into the gorgeous grounds of Ragdale Hall, I had a feeling that it was going to be a delightful day. And it turned out to be exactly that. The ivy-covered, red brick Victorian building with its beautiful grounds was the perfect location for the spa. On arrival we were greeted by one of the staff and ushered to the Garden Room. Over a cup of coffee we were explained about the various facilities at the spa and how the day package would work. We had already filled in the health questionnaire, so we were given our bathrobes and the locker keys along with schedule for the day. The staff do give a little tour of the place but we opted to explore the spa on our own. After a quick change into our costumes and with the light robes (chunky robes are also available) we were ready to explore the place. Yes, you are free to wear the robe all day, even to the dining room!

Ragdale Hall has 5 pools and 11 heat facilities, in addition to a state-of-the-art gym, exercise studios and steam rooms. We started off with the Thermal Spa section. The thermal spa rooms were absolutely beautiful experiences. A lot of thought has gone into the design and the facilities on offer. What we liked was the attention to detail - fluffy towels were provided at various locations throughout the spa. My husband liked the specially designed shelves outside the heat rooms where you could leave your reading glasses as you stepped in for the treatment.

The Thermal Spa included different rooms like the Scented Room (with its handmade nut wood benches, subtle lighting, soft music and a stove of marble antico with some aromatic herbs that filled the room with beautiful scents), the Volcanic Salt Bath (with black granite walls, a central water feature and a regular spritz of Euca-menthol to help in deep breathing) and the Thought Zone (dry heat, beautiful music that helps you relax and induces happy thoughts). Other rooms were: the Colour Flow Cave, the Rose Sauna, Cave Showers, foot baths and indoor and outdoor waterfall pool. My favourite room was however the one known as the Candle Pool. The feeling was like walking into a hidden cave, albeit a mosaic one. There were pod like structures with mosaic-lined niches with held flickering candles. Gentle music and mood lighting enhanced the experience. The water was heated to 34 deg C and this was the most relaxing pool I have ever been in. Perfect for some quite introspection.

The main swimming pool is 25-metres long and includes a water cascade and massage jets that massage you neck and back. There are two whirlpool spas and an exercise pool with some aqua gym equipment. While we did not venture out into the exercise pool, there is a daily schedule of pool exercise sessions for those who fancy it. The smaller outdoor pool was also open when we visited.
Ragdale Hall has a lot of spaces to rest and relax - the Pavilion (sumptuous sofas, comfy loungers and beautiful contemporary artwork), the Retreat (perfect to relax or take a quick nap), Verendah Lounge, the Conservatory Terrace and the Quiet Room to name a few.

Our lunch (included in the day package) was booked in at a little after 1pm. It was a buffet-style three course meal with the starters being served at the table. We were quite pleased to see a lot of option for vegetarians. For starters we opted for Cream of Mushroom, Tarragon and White Truffle soup. For the main course, there was lot to choose from - Yorkshire pudding, Broccoli & Cauliflower Mornay, Honey roasted Parsnips, Rosemary & Garlic roast potatoes and a Jamaican inspired curry. Fresh fruits, yoghurt and a selection of chilled desserts were also available in the buffet.

The food was good and we both were actually a bit too stuffed after the lunch, so we headed out for a walk. The lawns were perfectly manicured, deck chairs provided and the views of the rolling countryside was beautiful. We relaxed outdoors for a while (soaking in the sun and breathing in fresh air) and then headed back indoors feeling invigorated. Once inside, it was back to the thermal spa for us.

Time flew by and it was 4:30pm - time for our treatments. Both of us had been booked in for Clarins facial but I had to change my treatment to a pedicure due to an existing skin irritation. The staff at the spa were very accommodating and when I mentioned the skin condition while checking-in, they made the necessary changes and booked me in for a pedicure. My other half enjoyed his facial and found it quite relaxing and uplifting. My pedicure was equally good and post the treatment my feet looked ready for Summer.

Ragdale Hall have many different beauty and spa treatments that can be added to your spa day. From full body massages to prescription facials, dry floatation therapies to Hopi ear candles treatment, Reflexology to Shiatsu therapy, there is something to suit every budget and requirement. The common factor in all these treatments is that they will leave you feeling blissfully relaxed and with a wonderful sense of well-being.

We had an amazing day and would definitely visit Ragdale Hall again. The range of indulgent therapies and treatments, the attention to detail and the friendly and professional staff make the spa special and add to your overall experience. From the moment you arrive to the moment you (reluctantly) leave, you are well taken care of making Ragdale Hall a very welcoming and relaxing place to visit.

Ragdale Hall is a good choice for some serious 'me-time' and is equally perfect for couple getaways or hen-dos. A number of different spa days are available, depending on your budget and the amount of time you have on hand, ranging from £79 to £225. Ragdale Hall also offer a flexible range of spa breaks and spa holidays which are designed to suit different group sizes and budget. Overnight Reviver Breaks start from £211 per person and include a 50 minute Blissful Face and Back Therapy, complimentary robe hire and full use of all the facilities and services at the spa. You can check the entire range of offerings and make your bookings at www.ragdalehall.co.uk

Ragdale Hall Health Hydro and Thermal Spa
Ragdale Village, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE14 3PB
Spa break bookings | 01664 433000
Spa day bookings | 01664 433033

And as I end this post, I would like to extend a big thank you to Ragdale Hall for inviting us to experience their spa facilities. We had a lovely time and will be back soon.

And to all my readers, do let me know via the comments section below whether you have been to Ragdale Hall Spa and your experience there.