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Everyone loves a spa break right!? I mean, what better way is there to de-stress than heading off for a few days with a good friend to escape the daily chores. Even better when the hotel in question is Rudding Park, a beautiful Grade I Regency house in Harrogate. With my cozzie and a dress for dinner packed (after all, I’d be in a fluffy robe robe and slippers all day surely?) we set off for Yorkshire. Rudding Park is set in 300 acres of landscaped gardens, rolling countryside and woodland, it’s renowned as one of the most beautiful retreats in North Yorkshire.

The hotel boasts 90 bedrooms, including eight suites, a family bunk room and four spa rooms, where the bathroom will have either a spa bath, a sauna or a steam room. There are also two restaurants (with a kitchen garden), a private cinema, two golf courses and a conference and events space. And let’s not forget the award winning spa. 

We settled into our suite, which had been decorated with a contemporary feel that complimented the original features and architecture of the historic building. Next on the list was choosing our pillows from the pillow menu, obligatory coo-ing over the Molton Brown products and time for a quick cuppa, we were in Yorkshire after all!

With fluffy robes adorned, we headed for some major pampering. The Spa has been beautifully thought out and designed to recapture Harrogate’s rich spa heritage by using natural waters from the grounds at Rudding Park. Every minute detail has been planned to perfection.

Wellness of mind, body and soul are at the heart of the ethos of the whole project. It’s a peaceful and serene space, and quite vast, with something on offer for all spa-goers.

After a quick tour we headed straight for the roof top area which includes a hydrotherapy infinity pool, a spa garden, panoramic sauna, two steam rooms, spa bath, garden sauna cabin, a chill-out cabana, foot spas and a shower ‘experience’.

With waiters on hand to take your drinks order, you can sup champagne whilst relaxing in the spa bath or lie back on the of the heated beds.

There’s a massive selection of treatments on offer, I chose a radiance facial to improve the tone and smoothness of my skin, that used tailored ingredients for my skin type including vitamin C and Kombuchka, known as the elixir of life! It was bliss and one of the best facials I’ve ever experienced. My friend Joanna enjoyed a relaxing hot stone massage, both of our treatments were fabulous.

Afterwards, we were shown to the Escape Zone, it’s there to enhance wellness of mind, body and soul and includes four different areas to explore. We chilled in the MIND zone and tried our hand at mandala colouring whilst drinking herbal tea. The AUDIO zone is to centre your mind listening to healing tracks through headphones. The VISUAL zone has a video mood wall that shows breathtaking mountain escapes. Then there’s the RELAX  zone where you can lie back under a pretty starry lit sky.

When we did finally did stumble out of the spa refreshed and contented, we wandered through some of the hotels public areas. They feature a carefully curated mix of traditional and modern art and decor. The new library space has a fun Perspex bubble chair and bright quirky furnishings.

Head to Horto for fine dining with tasting and a la carte menus inspired by the kitchen garden. Or Eat in the Clocktower restaurant which boasts 2 AA Rosettes and serves up laid back lunches in the conservatory. 

Rudding Park is just three miles south of Harrogate so well placed for visits to York, Bolton, Knaresborough and Fountains Abbey, which is now a World Heritage Site. Harrogate town itself has elegant parades, smart shops, pretty parks, the restored Turkish Baths and the famous Betty’s Tea Rooms with their signature Fat Rascal teacakes. 

Our trip was completely wonderful, we came away feeling fully recharged and refreshed and we’re both planning to visit again very soon.

Thanks for having us Rudding Park,

Amy x

A one-night spa break at Rudding Park starts from £185.50 per person on a half board basis including one 50 minute treatment from the Spa Day Treatment Menu and full day access to the spa. To book, visit www.ruddingpark.co.uk or call 01423 844822.  

Written and photographed by Amy Davies Pereira of Little House In London.
(press shots have been used of the hotel facade and escape zones)

*Although part of stay at Rudding Park was complimentary, I wasn’t paid to write this article and all views and opinions are my own.