Review of Woolley Grange, Bradford-on-Avon

Woolley Grange, Bradford-on-Avon - 5 bubbles

Woolley Grange is a luxury family spa hotel in the Wiltshire countryside. The facilities keep children entertained and allow parents an environment where relaxation is still the order of the day. Formality is replaced by homeliness with open fires, big cosy sofas and attentive, friendly staff. The fabulous new spa also offers a full menu of [ comfort zone ] and Mama Mio spa treatments.

First impressions?

How did they welcome you?

What happens next?

Which treatments did you have?

What were the treatments like?

How did you feel afterwards?

Long-term effects

Was it worth it?

What else could you have?

Any special features?

Who do you think would like it?

Why did you give the spa this rating?

Would you go again?

First impressions?

The beautiful 17th century manor house is set in fourteen acres of breathtaking Wiltshire countryside just eight miles from Bath. The house has been a family home for over 400 years and opened as the UK's first luxury family hotel in 1989.

I parked, walked past the large pond and up the steps to the front door. I turned to take in the inspiring views and gazed at the grand red-brick building surrounded by a well-maintained garden and rugged fields. Stunning!

How did they welcome you?

Once through the thick stone doorway I noticed a row of walking boots and children’s wellies. Peanut, the resident brown cocker spaniel, greeted me. The reception area was warm and homely with dark wood panelling, floorboards and antique furniture. The receptionist rang through to the spa to confirm that I had arrived and to get the time of my appointment. This was done very efficiently and with a big smile.

What happens next?

I was early for my spa treatment so decided to do a bit of exploring. Clare, the hotel manager, offered to show me some of the hotel.

The downstairs lounge was informal, comfortable and charming with more wood-panelled walls and ceiling, comfy leather sofas and armchairs. Even in October there was a roaring log-fire burning. I followed Clare up winding staircases and down higgledy-piggledy passageways that opened onto half-landings and small play-areas. I had a peek into some of the bedrooms in the main house. They were all individually styled with country-cottage décor and all were cheerful and cosy. There are quirky little rooms in the eaves with exposed beams and spacious family rooms with sofa-beds and large bathrooms. Every room has space for an extra fold-up bed or a cot.

As we walked, Clare explained the concept behind Woolley Grange. It was designed to be a special place for a family break, offering parents a luxury hotel environment where children are welcomed and not just tolerated. A real home-from-home where families can spend time together.

Meals at Woolley Grange are a traditional British affair with organic vegetables, herbs and lots of fruit coming straight from the kitchen garden. All other farm-fresh produce is delivered by local Wiltshire suppliers. Family meals and children’s tea are served in The Orangery. The Orangery is a glass-roofed conservatory which is bright during the day but can be pretty draughty on a cold winter evening. In the summer these meals can be taken alfresco on the terrace. The restaurant at Woolley Grange offers fine dining in the evenings, for a more grown-up experience. Parents can relax over dinner and fine wine and enjoy some time as a couple, safe in the knowledge that children are being monitored by the very sophisticated "baby listening" service.

The outdoor pool is heated to bath temperature all year round. There is plenty of seating, with sun loungers for adults and green lawns for kids to play games on.

The youngest guests will enjoy Woolley Bear's Den, the on-site Ofsted registered crèche housed in the old coach house. Clare explained that the crèche is open all day, every day. There are always two fully-trained nannies on duty. The huge playroom is full of toys and games, Lego and books, paints, dressing-up outfits and even a dolls house. The Hen House is a haven for older children. There is a wide variety of indoor board-games to choose from and a TV, a DVD library and Wii, table tennis, air hockey and a pool table.

The outdoor activities will keep children of all ages happy for days. There's a large outdoor sandpit, slide, climbing frame, swings and a trampoline, as well as endless space just for running around in, kicking a ball or exploring. There are bikes and tennis courts and even a giant trampoline.

The brand new spa at Woolley Grange has been built in the walled garden to the right of the manor house. You enter the garden through a beautiful gated arch. The spa is a contemporary single-storey glass and oak-framed building which has been cleverly blended into its surroundings. Interior walls incorporate the beautiful Bath stone wall of the garden. In front of the entrance was bright-orange and lime-green outdoor furniture, a perfect lawn area and newly planted flower-beds.

The spa reception is a large, bright room with oak floors and glass or natural stone walls. There were two funky patchwork sofas and a wall of product displays, ingeniously made from wooden vegetable crates. A smiling receptionist greeted me and gave me a health questionnaire to fill out while she went to get me a cold drink from their juice bar.

When I was ready, my therapist Lianne took me through the refreshment area to the changing rooms. Even the changing facilities have been designed for the whole family, with beautifully tiled family-sized cubicles, impressive showers and fabulous lockers that looked like they had been made from green garden-fencing. Inside my locker I found a fluffy white robe, a huge towel and a pair of slippers.

The indoor swimming pool was wonderful. Natural light streamed in through the spectacular full-length glass windows and revealed fabulous views of the garden. I could see a decked area outside with more bright outdoor furniture and a row of stylish moulded-plastic loungers. At one end of the pool are the sauna and steam room, which were both pristine and stunning.

I took myself back to the reception area where Lianne was waiting for me. The treatment rooms are at the back of the spa reception area, down a softly lit passage. Lianne told me that this is a deliberate consideration to keep the treatment rooms far away from the noise of the pool.

Which treatments did you have?

The Sublime Journey Body Cocoon (£75, 60 minutes), a Woolley signature treatment.

What were the treatments like?

There are only two treatment rooms at Woolley Grange, but they are spacious, softly-lit, furnished in natural oak and finished off with a marvellously colourful patchwork throw. Before the journey began Lianne talked me through the treatment. She explained that Woolley's signature treatments had been inspired by the fresh home-grown fruits, vegetables and herbs of the garden. Lianne then checked that I was warm enough, turned down the lights and put on some background music.

Firstly, Lianne lightly brushed my skin. This was a strange sensation at first but quite quickly I begin to enjoy it. Next, Lianne exfoliated my body with a light, fruity scrub containing small, gritty granules. The fresh-smelling gel contained apple, peach, kiwi and apricot. She worked the scrub over my entire body in small round movements, paying particular attention to my elbows and knees until the product had absorbed into my skin and started to dry. Once dried, Lianne simply brushed away the remaining product with her hands.

Lianne warned me that the mask she was about to apply may feel cold, and it was. The mask had a fantastic aroma of herbs and flowers. When she had applied a thick layer of the mask to my back, she carefully slid away the towel so I was now lying on just a thin plastic sheet. Once the rest of the mask had been painted on, Lianne carefully wrapped me in the plastic sheet then covered me with a thick, heavy towel and a blanket. The heat from the treatment bed and the warmth of the covering felt snug and very relaxing. Lianne then gently poured a scalp serum onto my hairline and massaged my head skilfully. After some time Lianne informed me that it was time for me to shower. She carefully extracted me from my warm cocoon and I went to shower off the mask residue.

I emerged from the shower and climbed back onto the treatment bed. Lianne reappeared and the ritual concluded with the most fabulous massage. She used a combination of rich, moisturising essential oils and nourishing creams. Lianne applied strong pressure and expertly massaged my tired muscles.

How did you feel afterwards?

I felt completely rejuvenated from head to toe. This sensory journey left my skin feeling nourished and silky-soft.

Long-term effects

I felt physically and mentally relaxed for quite some time.

Was it worth it?

Overnight stays at Woolley Grange don’t come cheap. A Standard Double starts at £220 and a night in the Hayloft including dinner, bed and breakfast can cost up to £530. However, you get a lot for your money and your entire family will go home happy!

The Classic half-day package will set you back a mere £70 to £90 per person and includes full use of all facilities and a delicious two-course lunch or full afternoon tea, plus any 30-minute treatment of your choice.

A full-day Nursery Break will cost you £150 per person. You will enjoy a signature manicure or pedicure and Trimester Healing Hour massage or Bootcamp treatment by Mama Mio while your little ones are taken care of in Woolley Bear's Den. The kids will join you for your two-course lunch, then the whole family can enjoy the pool and the garden.

What else could you have?

Woolley Grange has a full complement of [ comfort zone ] treatments. There are a range of facials, massages, scrubs, wraps, organic rituals and beauty treatments. There is also a collection for men, one for teens, and treatments for mums-to-be and new mothers.

Any special features?

If you have small children then Woolley Grange's facilities are the special feature. Luxury family-friendly hotels are rare enough, but child-friendly spa facilities are nearly unheard of.

And of course dogs are also welcome, but if you don’t have one, don’t worry, you can walk Peanut for free!

Who do you think would like it?

Woolley Grange is really for those with young families. If you want a luxury family break where children are genuinely catered for, then this is the place for you.

Why did you give the spa this rating?

We gave Woolley Grange 5 bubbles because they have successfully created the perfect family spa environment. Children are often discriminated against in the world of spa, but not here.