48 hours at The Swan Hotel and Spa in the Lake District
I've never been much of a spa-goer. Being pampered is nice and all but something about relaxing in public has always felt like a slight paradox to me... if not a complete impossibility. Sweating it out in a sauna flanked by heaving hairy man-chests? It's not for me. Even my first (and, indeed, my last) pedicure was something of a disaster when I nearly roundhoused my poor pedicurist in the clavicle as I just about screamed with laughter. Turns out I'm still ticklish.
But I am not who I was yesterday, and The Swan Hotel and Spa – with its placid Lake District scenery, ample indoor pool and extravagant jacuzzi selection – was enough tempt me to give this whole inner-zen thing another shot. And, accompanied by my similarly spa-shy boyfriend, I was pleasantly surprised...
Extravagant jacuzzi selection you say? What else has this place got?
The Swan Hotel and Spa is located beside the River Leven in Newby Bridge (a stone’s throw from Lake Windermere) and boasts its own riverside pub, restaurant, cafe and health club with an ample indoor pool.
You'll catch your kip in one of the hotel's quirkily designed rooms and find ample space to chill out or spend time with friends throughout the property. And no need to leave your four-legged friend out of proceedings. With it’s bucolic surroundings and nearby countryside trails, The Swan has wisely taken a firm pro-pup stance, offering dog-friendly accommodation where your pet can rest up after a jam-packed day of terrorising sheep – facials are for humans only, though.
So, what did you do?
The day we arrived was – what would turn out to be – one of the few perfect summer days England would be allocated for the year. The golden afternoon sunshine had painted the hills a dreamy shade of green and the sky shone a glorious blue, a pretty zen backdrop to aid some spa shenanigans if you ask me.
Our first stop: the Swan’s spa – its indoor-outdoor hydrotherapy pool to be precise. We slunk into the water and were lavished with a welcome contrast of cool, refreshing air and hot, bubbly water. The experience was made all the sweeter thanks to the afternoon sun, which bathed our skin in a luxuriant secondary shade of warmth. Even sweeter than that: the presence of staff who were constantly on hand to take down drinks orders and swiftly deliver them to guests, all while we wallowed in the water like hippos in a stream. Sploshing around one quaffed piña colada later, I reckon I could get used to this.
We also hit up the steam room, the Finnish-style sauna and (another) outdoor jacuzzi. And while we weren't brave enough to give them a go, ice-cold water buckets are at the ready to give you an endorphin-unleashing rush post sauna, if you dare.
Of course, there are also plenty of sunloungers in the spa garden where you can relax with a book or kick back and natter with any companions. Ultimately, though, it’s the glorious hillside surroundings that give this spa its wow factor. Admiring the view, I imagine visiting in winter, swapping ice-cold cocktails and sun-splashed greenery for hot chocolates and sugar-white frost. Maybe I should come back at Christmas…
As much as I loved chilling out there with my boyfriend (who took to his new luxury spa lifestyle like a duck to water), this would also be the perfect spot to gather my mates together. The hotel encourages such excursions, offering a dedicated events team to help plan any special occasions.
Meanwhile, day-to-day, they also host nightly ‘Sundowner Sessions’ in the spa and garden where, between 6-8pm, you can access the thermal and hydro facilities, a glass of fizz in hand, soundtracked by breezy summer beats (£45 to £55 per person).
While my friends and I aren’t in our hen party era just yet, with 30th birthdays looming and keeping much-delayed weekend trip plans in mind, I’ve noted The Swan as a serious contender.
Sounds fabulous. Did you get any treatments?
We did. Working at our laptops every day means that our poor posture has turned us into prawns. We were in dire need of a massage. As well as resetting our muscles, the hour-long ‘drift away’ treatment promised to ‘soothe and calm frazzled nerves’ using a lulling blend of Mediterranean essential oils including frankincense, lavender and patchouli.
After filling out forms to determine any health concerns and our massage preferences (hard as humanly possible, please), we padded into separate rooms to enjoy our treatments. The massage room was clean and cosy with low-light and chilled out music creating a restful atmosphere. Sixty minutes passed in no time at all, and I came out feeling totally blissed out, my muscles aching pleasantly.
Don’t fancy a massage? The spa has an extensive assortment of treatments to choose from, including aromatherapy and gua sha facials and luxurious exfoliating body scrubs. You can also book in full spa days that include food and drinks.
Tell me about the food!
Breakfast and dinner served at The Swan's River Room Brasserie were a treat. Delicious morning fare included smoked salmon and scrambled eggs and smashed avocado on sourdough, while in the evening we chowed down on sophisticated dishes like asparagus, crispy egg and creamy hollandaise followed by a buttery Alfredo pasta and rounded off by a gorgeous strawberry and raspberry pavlova. Also on offer: steak, smoked haddock risotto, roasted lamb rack and pan fried fillets of sea bass. Yes, I’m drooling too.
You won’t run out of options. The dog-friendly Swan Inn pub has your classic British staples and Sunday roasts covered, while the spa-side cafe offers coffee, fresh cake, smoothies and milkshakes. Still peckish? The Dude’s Dough pizza van serves up oven-baked pizza which you can devour al-fresco, by the river or on the terrace.
Alright, I’m in! How do I get there?
We took the train from London Euston to Grange-over-Sands, followed by a short taxi ride to the Swan Hotel and Spa in Newby Bridge.
Go there!
Rooms start from £160pn, spa access from £45pp BOOK NOW
To find out more, visit Swan Hotel and Spa.
Read now: What to know before getting a bob
More UK spa ideas...
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Try a solo spa trip to Ensana Buxton Crescent in the Peak District
Check out romantic Chewton Glen - a five-star country house hotel and spa
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