Keen to unwind but lacking in time to head out of the country, our deputy editor Sophia Longhi indulges in a staycation at the beautiful Down Hall – just forty five minutes outside of London.
Spa breaks are the perfect remedy for the city-living frazzle that we all too often feel in these months out of the sunshine. We’ve visited some fabulous spas all around the world, which are wonderful if you have a few days to spare, but what about if you only have a day or two at the most, or even just a night?
Luckily, we are so fortunate in the UK to have an abundance of spa hotels up and down the country, not to mention a fantastic selection in and around London alone, which is all the more appealing if you want to minimise travel time and maximise chill time. A one-stop fix to serenity and rejuvenation with next to no fuss? Now, that sounds like something we could get on board with.
It is with this in mind, we stumble upon Down Hall. Located on the Hertfordshire and Essex border, it’s just 45 minutes outside of London, but with 110 acres of surrounding woodland and set within beautiful historic surroundings, it feels like a complete world away.
The crunch of tyres on a gravel driveway helps to set the scene of grandeur as we approach the impressive Italianate mansion, which dates back to 1322. With four AA silver stars, the hotel and grounds have been kept in pristine condition, and create the perfect atmosphere for a relaxing treat.
After a smooth check-in, I am whisked away to my spa treatment – I couldn’t wait to feel my muscles loosen and begin the process of unwinding. The luxury Eden Spa is a new addition to Down Hall and is a pampering haven, offering ESPA treatments, such as facials and massages, and beauty therapies, like waxing and manicures. I opted for a fully body Deep Muscle Massage, hoping it would untangle those deep-set knots that we all get from the day to day of keyboard-typing, bag-carrying and the general rushing around the city. After 55 minutes, the tension of a week of Tube commutes had been worked out of my muscles and I was ready for a soak in the bath before getting ready for dinner.
There are 100 bedrooms at Down Hall, including elegant feature rooms with views over the stunning landscaped gardens. My room was complete with classic furnishings, ornate decor and a beautiful pencil bed, which really added to the sense of luxury and opulence. The rooms are filled with natural light, and they are wonderful places to relax and take some time to read a book or idly flick though a magazine, whilst wearing a white fluffy robe and soft slippers.
Feeling completely blissed out, I changed and made my way to dinner, which was served in The Grill Room. Having recently become an Rosette-Awarded restaurant, the menu comprises of Anglo-European dishes made using fine, locally-sourced ingredients and vegetables picked from their own gardens. Our knowledgeable waiter tells us that the steak (10oz Aged English rib-eye or 8oz Aged sirloin) comes highly recommended, but I’m too tempted by the pork belly with mash, butternut, quince, sprout leaves and crackling, and my dining partner salivates at the sound of the roast chicken breast and thigh, with baby aubergine, celeriac, spring greens and Madeira juice. The entire menu looks drool-worthy, and when freshly baked bread with delicious whipped salted butter arrives, we knew it was going to be a delicious meal. The menu changes with the seasons, but we would certainly vouch for (if available) the roast pigeon with sweetcorn, bacon and popcorn granola to start, and most definitely the succulent pork belly or the chicken as main dishes. We finished by sampling the popular white chocolate mousse with mango and basil, and the milk chocolate delice with strawberry and hazelnut, alongside a sweet glass of Sauternes.
Breakfast is also served in The Grill Room, where an array of hot and cold dishes are available, along with the usual selection of coffee, tea and juices. The restaurant benefits from large windows across one side, which allows the morning light to stream into the room – a lovely start to a new day.
Down Hall is the perfect tranquil getaway from the city, and even if you only have an afternoon to spare, it still feels like a holiday for mind and body. The countryside setting instantly relaxes you, and the beautiful mansion setting makes you feel like you are really somewhere special, a world away from steel office blocks and trains. After one night at Down Hall, we felt refreshed, rejuvenated and ready to face the world again with renewed energy, and can’t wait to return.
Want to learn more about staying at Down Hall Country House Hotel? Visit the website downhill.co.uk and follow them on Twitter @DownHall01