Travel Diaries: Cotswolds

After going through unexpected grief at the end of 2019, myself and my inspirational Mum decided that escaping London for a spa weekend would be our only rescue. After a little bit of searching on trusty Google, one particular retreat caught our eye…

WHERE WE STAYED

Located in the Cotswolds, the only way to describe Barnsley House & Spa is…’5* Cosy’. The moment we pulled into the drive our jaws genuinely dropped; this picture-perfect country house immediately feels like a home away from home. Imagine your fairytale getaway with fireplaces, a hideaway garden spa and roll top baths, all in a secluded English village. Sound heavenly? That’s the magic of Barnsley House.

We stayed in the Garden Room which was everything we could have hoped for, and more. Overlooking the quaint gardens, the room includes quite possibly one of the comfiest beds I’ve ever had the pleasure of sleeping in, two roll top baths, a shower and a selection of amenities to make it even more special.

WHAT WE DID

FRIDAY:
Once checked in, we picked up one of the recommended walking routes, borrowed some wellies and went to explore the local town. Being London-based, it can often feel like living in a city that never sleeps. And as exciting as that usually is, the occasional escape to a quiet, secret spot in England is just what you need to reset stress levels.

After a bubble bath accompanied by an episode or two of Friends, we headed downstairs for dinner at The Potager. The restaurant are passionate about using fresh local ingredients so nearly all the veggies and herbs are picked from Barnsley’s very own kitchen garden… and you really can taste the difference. We both opted for the beef fillet which melted in the mouth and made for the idyllic first meal.

One of the many things that sets Barnsley House apart from other spa breaks, is the private cinema located on the path leading towards the spa. Complimentary with our room booking, we had the option to privately hire the cinema out to ourselves… so of course that’s what we did! With a choice of over 600 movies, this really was a once in a lifetime experience.

SATURDAY:
It’s not very often you have the luxurious option of breakfast in bed. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I went on holiday and actually made the most out of ‘room service’. With a bed that comfy, and a room so calming, it was hard not to take up the offer of breakfast in bed.

Continuing with our lazy Saturday happiness, we mooched down the garden path to the spa, where we spent several hours relaxing. Alternating between the heated outdoor pool and the sauna/steam rooms, we made the most of the facilities before our treatments in the afternoon. You can even order snacks and drinks from the main hotel, which are brought right to you in the relaxation room. It doesn’t get more pampered than that!

Spa treatments are best booked in advance, to avoid disappointment on arrival. We both opted for the 55 Minute Hot Stone Massage and I can honestly say it was one of the best massages I’ve ever experienced. Not least because of the orange sorbet shot presented in the relaxation room after..!

Post-massage can only mean one thing… a snooze. After 40-winks and a hot bath to refresh, we headed for dinner at The Village Pub. If only every pub could be as delightful and delicious as this one…I highly recommend opting for the Lamp Chops with Apple Crumble to finish.

SUNDAY:

Before we knew it, Sunday morning came around and it was almost time to check out * insert silent cry *. But there was just enough time to have one more breakfast in bed.

After saying our final goodbyes to the room of dreams, we clung onto Barnsley House and it’s calming aura for just a little longer, by reading next to the fireplace. On route home, we made a pit-stop at The Swan at Southrop for a highly recommendable Sunday Roast.

Overall

All in all, we really had no idea just how magical this weekend away would be. It’s not very often you experience somewhere that continuously makes you feel overcome by emotion and Barnsley House did just that. There aren’t enough positive ways to describe the level of care by the staff and the attention to detail in the both house and surrounding areas. If you can invest a little more in a road trip to the countryside, whether its for self-care, romance or celebration, then look no further than Barnsley House.