Wiltshire

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">WHAT? WHERE? </h2>



A luxurious day spa experience at The Spa at Bowood near Calne. Includes full use of the spa facilities, like infinity swimming pool, relaxation areas, steam room, white robe and slippers, gym, traditional full afternoon tea, a glass of prosecco and a 30-minute treatment. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/Bowood_infinity_pool.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-28821" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/Bowood_infinity_pool.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/Bowood_infinity_pool-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/Bowood_infinity_pool-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/Bowood_infinity_pool-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/Bowood_infinity_pool-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE VIBE </h2>



When the email dropped that my next assignment was to review the spa at Bowood Hotel, I wondered what good karma I was cashing in. A reward for deleting the pic of my best mate guzzling a dirty burger late on Saturday night? Or for letting the interns at work snaffle the last three last (broken) biscuits? My selflessness knows no bounds…



I was beyond excited. In case you’re new to Wiltshire, Bowood Hotel, Spa &amp; Golf Resort is nestled in the grounds of the majestically impressive Georgian country house of the same name, that sits within 100 acres of parkland designed by famous landscape gardener Capability Brown in the late 1700’s. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/Bowood-house.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-28812" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/Bowood-house.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/Bowood-house-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/Bowood-house-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/Bowood-house-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/Bowood-house-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>Bowood House.</figcaption></figure>



As I drove through a grand entrance gate off Derry Hill, Calne and headed down a tree-lined path, I imagined what it would have been like arriving for a grand ball in a horse and carriage &#8211; &nbsp;but instead of making my way to the heritage splendour of Bowood House and having a door opened by Mr Darcy himself, I parked up in the free car park and made my way in to the modern-day spa on my tod. Tip: It’s easy to get confused as to where you’re going, as although the hotel, spa and golf course are all called Bowood, they&#8217;re in a different part of the estate from the main house and the spa has its own entrance.



Once inside, I was greeted warmly and professionally by the staff who were sitting straight in front of me at a reception desk in the small, bright and packed-with-products Welcome Area. As soon as I’d registered, I was given a super-fluffy robe and slider slippers and introduced to my lovely therapist, Maria. She took me to the treatment room, accessed &nbsp;through a beautiful relaxation area with wooden-slatted loungers, soft music and a central, modern, circular fire – such a tempting spot to linger in after pampering.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/RELAXATION_AREA.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-28809" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/RELAXATION_AREA.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/RELAXATION_AREA-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/RELAXATION_AREA-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/RELAXATION_AREA-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/RELAXATION_AREA-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>The relaxation area</figcaption></figure>



This space also has a soothing view of the infinity swimming pool, which in turn is surrounded by glass, so whether you’re sitting in the relaxation room or lounging by the pool, you can see straight through to the lush parkland (and men playing with tiny balls on the golf course), both of which automatically relaxes you.



Talking of destressing, the treatment room was small and cosy with an extremely comfortable padded massage bed. There are also two more rooms available, including one that&#8217;s big enough for two, in case you wanted to have your treatment at the same time as a friends (although I don&#8217;t want to anyone to see me dribble as I drift off, however well I know them). 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/bowood_treatment_room.jpeg.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-28816" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/bowood_treatment_room.jpeg.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/bowood_treatment_room.jpeg-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/bowood_treatment_room.jpeg-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/bowood_treatment_room.jpeg-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/bowood_treatment_room.jpeg-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>The treatment room for two</figcaption></figure>



 I chatted with Maria about what kind of treatment I’d like – and deciding that I was super-stressed (reviewing spas can take it out of you), I opted for the Drift Away massage. The Spa at Bowood uses Temple Spa products, a British company inspired by the Mediterranean. This treatment uses a dreamy blend of Mediterranean essential oils including Frankincense, Lavender and Patchouli, so, after slipping under the towels I drifted off while Maria worked her magic. I plumped for a 30 minute session &#8211; but you can upgrade to 90 minutes if you prefer as it includes a signature face and scalp massage, using an aromatherapy resting cream called ‘Repose’. Bliss. 



Post-pampertime, Maria suggested I go to the 15 metre pool. Tbh, if I was coming to spend the whole afternoon (the package is offered between 1pm-5pm), I&#8217;d probably would have tried this first so as not to wash the oils off my skin, but it was still indulgently relaxing to shower and change into my swimming costume and then loll about on a lounger, take a dip in the warm waters and jacuzzi and sample the Rock Sauna, Aromatherapy Showers and Crystal Steam Room.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2560" height="1920" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/jacuzzi_pool-scaled.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-28813" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/jacuzzi_pool-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/jacuzzi_pool-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/jacuzzi_pool-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/jacuzzi_pool-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/jacuzzi_pool-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/jacuzzi_pool-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/jacuzzi_pool-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



However, a girl can only take so much relaxing until it’s time for cake. Afternoon tea is included in this package and I did not want to miss out, so after an hour or so I changed back into my clothes, and someone from the spa escorted me to the restaurant. I had a choice of sitting at one of the formal dining tables in the Shelburne Restaurant, out on the terrace, or in the library. Of course I chose the latter- it seems only right and proper to indulge in Britain’s favourite sweet treat surrounded by leather-bound tomes and sitting on plush upholstered sofas, I only wish I’d worn my pearls. I found out later that the library is actually reserved solely for afternoon tea between 2pm-4pm daily.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2560" height="1920" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/library-bowood-1-scaled.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-28810" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/library-bowood-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/library-bowood-1-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/library-bowood-1-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/library-bowood-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/library-bowood-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/library-bowood-1-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/library-bowood-1-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></figure>



Tea was served on a tiered cake stand – four flavours of finger sandwiches on the bottom layer– Clarence Court egg mayonnaise and watercress, Coronation Chicken with baby gem lettuce, smoked salmon with crème fraîche and cucumber and honey roasted ham with english mustard. On the middle layer there were two freshly made scones with cream and jam and on the top layer there were a layered chocolate cake, a fresh strawberry tart with crème patisserie and a macaron on the top layer, plus a small pot of melted butter so that it was super-smooth to spread. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/afternoon_tea_bowood.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-28811" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/afternoon_tea_bowood.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/afternoon_tea_bowood-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/afternoon_tea_bowood-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/afternoon_tea_bowood-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/10/afternoon_tea_bowood-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



There was a fantastic array of teas too – from Earl Grey to Darjeeling and all the posh blends you’d expect. I went for a Lady Winchester loose tea which was a combination of Assam, Sumatra and Darjeeling, flavoured with orange, lemon, grapefruit and bergamot and finished with orange peel and jasmine flowers. Very lady.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



Good for: Anyone wanting a great girly day out &nbsp;&#8211; it’s perfect for catch ups with friends, mum and could even be a great date day too.



Not for: Bringing the kids. You wouldn’t want the stress of wondering if they’d covered the sofas in jam anyway.



The damage: Monday- Thursday, £115 per person, 1pm to 5pm. Friday to Sunday, £125 per person 1pm to 5pm.



Bowood Hotel, Spa &amp; Golf Resort, <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Bowood+Hotel,+Spa+%26+Golf+Resort/@51.4274477,-2.05782,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m9!3m8!1s0x4871648daf8eec43:0xf67eaf93ac10d3f2!5m3!1s2021-06-16!4m1!1i2!8m2!3d51.4274685!4d-2.0556726?hl=en-gbz" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SN11 9PQ</a>, Telphone&nbsp;<a href="tel:01249822228">01249 822 228</a>

Review: Afternoon Tea Spa Experience at Bowood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort, Calne

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