I love living in a big bustling city with its endless restaurant and shopping options, but sometimes I need to escape to the countryside for some fresh air and relaxation! One of the best things about living in London is how easy it is to get out of the city for the weekend ... or even just for a day. The weather was so beautiful last weekend that we decided to rent a car at the last minute and head to the Cotswolds for the day.
As this impromptu excursion fell on a Sunday I decided that activities for the day should be Sunday lunch followed by spa treatments (I will find any excuse to visit a spa!). The Costwolds is home to many wonderful restaurants and luxury hotels but Calcot & Spa had been on my 'must visit' list for some time. We were very lucky that they were able to squeeze in two last minute massage appointments that afternoon as it is usually booked out days in advance. The best thing about a day trip is that you can just throw your bathing suit in your bag, pop your sunnies on and go!
We left early Sunday morning and arrived at Calcot two hours later, just in time for lunch. Calcot has two restaurants that you can choose from, The Gumstool Inn (relaxed gastropub feel) and the Conservatory (the principal restaurant and a little more formal). As the fiancé did all the driving I thought it only fair that he should choose which restaurant to dine in. It came as no surprise when he opted for the hearty Sunday roast on offer at the Gumstool Inn. I chose the blackened salmon and we shared a number of sides. Everything was delicious and I loved the cosy pub feel.
We had some time to explore the beautiful grounds before our spa appointments. Set on 220 acres of lush Cotswolds countryside, with two pools (indoor and outdoor), tennis courts and a luxury spa, Calcot has something for everyone. It is a very popular holiday spot for families and I must admit that we usually tend to steer clear of hotels that are geared more towards families. However, Calcot strikes the perfect balance. It has almost a village feel, as it is made up of many beautiful stone-cut buildings housing the spa, restaurants and accommodation - though I'm sure there were many guests present that day, we never felt like the grounds were crowded.
Spa time! I always make sure to arrive early to fill out the forms and get robed up - you don't want to risk chewing up that precious treatment time. We were introduced to our therapists and they led the way to the treatment rooms upstairs. I had opted for a relaxing back, neck and head massage and I could feel the stress melt away as my therapist worked her magic. We were brought back downstairs after our treatments to a lovely seating area where you can relax and enjoy a tea or juice (or prosecco if you're celebrating) before or after your treatment. This room looks out onto a beautiful garden and the spa's crown jewel - the outdoor fireside hot tub! We made a bee-line for the hot tub and sat in complete bliss until the fiancé finally broke the news that it was time to hit the road again.
A little over two hours later we were back in the big smoke but definitely more relaxed and ready to take on the hustle and bustle again! It does a body good to get out into the countryside and reconnect with nature, especially us busy bees living in the city. Speaking of, check out the photo below that the fiancé took of a busy bee that he spotted in the Calcot gardens.
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