Nestled in the heart of the Staffordshire countryside on the edge of Needwood Forest, Hoar Cross Hall is a grown-up escape with serious credentials. This elegant Elizabethan manor is home to one of the largest state-of-the-art spas in Europe. Yup, in Europe. The award-winning spa facilities are utterly top-notch, and the Hall itself? Absolutely knockout.

With two pools (one saltwater), aqua massage and detox centre, a Nordic heat & ice suite, and a whopping 40 treatment rooms, there’s a lot on offer. Treatments range from the simple (facials, manis and pedis) to the sublime (Voya Mindful Dreams Body Ritual and detox seaweed baths). Zen out post-treatment in the soothing Sanctum where you can float in the warm pool, recline on a lounger or sway gently in a hanging pod. There’s even a Snooze Room where you can catch 40 winks on heated water beds. Bliss.

But it’s the outdoor Spa Terrace that’s the showstopper. With three balmy pools, a juniper log sauna, cosy cabanas and fire pits, it’s a dreamy retreat even on the coldest of winter days. The Twilight Spa Experiences are especially tempting, when the warm pools are bathed in the glow from the firepits and twinkling lights. Beyond the outdoor spa, you’ll find woodland trails, tennis courts and outdoor activities like axe throwing, archery and golf.

With this much on offer, let’s face it, you’re gonna want to stay over. And, with 104 swish, stylish bedrooms it’s hard to resist. Lounge around in a Garden Suite overlooking the manicured grounds or perhaps book a Hot Tub Suite in the sprawling west wing and kick-back on your own private terrace. And did we mention that with the Royal Suite Experience, you get your own private butler and bartender? Err swoon. Every room comes with luxe features like VOYA organic toiletries, fluffy robes, and a Nespresso coffee machine, so even in the smaller Comfy Rooms, you’ll feel spoiled rotten.

Hungry? Hoar Cross has you covered with a smorgasbord of foodie options. You’ll find everything from the opulent options of cocktails in the luscious Long Gallery and fabulous fine dining AA Rosette-awarded Ballroom restaurant, to more laidback lounging at Henry’s, Hugo’s and The Atrium. Oh, and should the mood take you, Hoar Cross dishes up cracking afternoon teas in the elegant library too. The rest of Hoar Cross Hall is just as dreamy, with wood-panelled walls and ornate ceilings blending seamlessly with the airy atrium and stylish Scandi Nordic Heat & Ice suite.

Hoar Cross Hall sits eight miles from nearest train station at Burton-on-Trent and 11 miles from Lichfield, so access is easy-peasy. Owned by Barons Eden Hotel & Spa Collection, the hotel has a sister day spa venue in Nottinghamshire called Eden Hall that’s also well worth a visit. Book us in.