Easy Escape: Moddershall Oaks Country Spa Retreat

After an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city? This 5-star spa retreat is nestled in the middle of the Staffordshire countryside, simply awaiting for you to arrive and unwind. Words by Sarah Barnes

Why go

Sunken into rolling hills, the Moddershall Oaks Spa Retreat is a welcoming sanctuary of pampering and relaxation. You come here to turn on your out of office, gather your thoughts and re-charge your batteries, all in the 70 acres of woodland at this beautiful family-run retreat.

Worries flood away as you're greeted by friendly staff and whisked down long corridors to one of the 10 newly-refurbished contemporary suites, complete with king size bed and an outdoor patio leading to the shared hot tub. After a welcome drink and having been handed fluffy white robes and slippers, the spa is yours to explore.

The vibe

It’s called a retreat for a reason. Come rain or shine you can relax in the 25 sq m vitality pool, the centre point of the spa. Plush loungers sit around the pool under the cover of wooden beams and in view of the glorious log fire that gives off cosy Aspen vibes – minus the snow!

You can have cocktails or speciality hot chocolates dripping in cream and marshmallows delivered to you poolside, while heated jacuzzi bubbles wash away any stress. Just when you are starting to wrinkle, you can dry off in the relaxation room that's full of cosy corners to curl up in with blankets. Watch the flames crackle as the smell of pinewood burns from candles that litter the room, log cabin style.

If you wake up revived the next morning and full of energy take a woodland walk to the tennis courts or rent bikes and cycle to the pretty village of Moddershall. Sounding idyllic yet?

The spa

For a retreat that is perfect and personal in size, there is every possible sleek facility you need to let go of tension and immerse yourself in spa life; start your overnight stay right. Fan of dry heat? Let go of toxins in the Kelo sauna that's flooded with light and overlooks green fields. Or take a trip to the wet room that's infused with eucalyptus milk to help clear your lungs and breathe deep. Follow with a reflexology foot bath to relax those tight muscles.

The spa is complete with both a 10m swimming pool and hydrotherapy pool so you can take a long dip. Then be sure to dry off on the heated tile loungers whilst reading a book or snoozing away the hours. If you want to add a little glamour before dinner there's an in-house Blush Lounge for all your nail painting and hair care needs.

Wellness Centre

This August, Moddershall Oaks launched their exciting new wellness centre, Made. A minute's stroll from the spa, the Made centre is the brainchild of spa director Penny Weston, balancing wellbeing and relaxation together in one perfect little county bubble.

The offering? Four bespoke workout zones for both the exercise enthusiast and novice. Why not go hard in the boutique gym, complete with custom-made fitness equipment, or perhaps wake up early for sunrise yoga and meditation on the outdoor training terrace. There's also a cycling cave with LED lighting if you want to let off steam, and the function studio has a fitted bounce floor to help you when doing weights or barre classes.

Visit the Made shop, selling yoga pants and matching mats, and then wander into the café, serving up fresh smoothies, juices, budda salad bowls and healthy waffles for those post workout munchies. Proving that healthy food is far from tasteless.

The treatment

The treatment list is extensive and trust us you will want it all – but if you are going to treat yourself the best way is with the Elemis Couture Touch (£75 for 55 minutes). Get ready for 55 minutes of heaven, starting with a 25-minute deep tissue massage over the curves of your back, shoulders, neck and head. You'll feel yourself melting away as the highly-trained therapists work on knots and tightness with just the right amount of pressure while soothing in a beautiful body oil so you will be silky soft later on.

Rolling over – if you are still awake – it’s time to treat your face. Therapist Layna Graham tailors facials to combat the effects of city life and pollution. Starting with an intense face massage to help with lymphatic drainage, using the Elemis Pro Collagen Cleansing Balm, £43, skin is then washed over with the Balancing Lavender Toner, £24.50 before the Herbal Lavender Repair Mask, £33.50 is applied thickly and later buffed away to remove dead skin cells. Lastly, skin is comforted with the Hydra-Boost Serum, £48, leaving you fresh faced and glowing.

The restaurant

Award winning and known for using locally-sourced ingredients, the gastro-style lunch and dinner menus serve up hot and delicious plates for you to enjoy, alongside an extensive cocktail and wine list. Afternoon tea is also served out by the tranquil lake, and for breakfast, eggs, fresh pastries and a full cooked can be munched on over hot pots of tea in your white robe before check out- concluding your perfect overnight stay.

Spa days are from £85 pp and spa breaks from £295 per night. To book, visit moddershalloaks.com, call 01782 399 000 or email enquiries @moddershalloaks.com