The boutique Burleigh Court Hotel in Stroud has a brand-new wellbeing offering designed with locals in mind, with a new spa garden due to be completed in July 2024.
It describes its new Wellness Garden as a 'nature spa' offering a tranquil environment to roll out a mat for some open air yoga; slip into a hot tub and soak in the spectacular views across the Stroud Valley; or lounge next to the hotel's 100-year-old listed plunge pool, which has been lovingly restored.
There's also a treatment hut which will be offering hot stone, aromatherapy and deep tissue massages, with a new Nordic sauna — also boasting a stunning view — completing the offering in mid-July.
Once the sauna is installed, the hotel encourages guests to try its Nordic Cycle Therapy programme, which is based on the ancient Scandinavian ritual of spending time in a hot sauna, followed by a plunge in ice cold water.
The self-guided programme involves up to five cycles of a 20-minute stint in the sauna, then a dip in the newly restored plunge pool, to achieve a sense of wellbeing and euphoria — not to mention a catalogue of science-backed health benefits such as increased endorphin levels, improved metabolism, reduction in muscle tension and even pain relief.
There are also plans to introduce a variety of other activities, including outdoor Zumba classes and Paint and Sip sessions followed by a dip in the pool and the hot tub, in partnership with Cotswold Wellness Hub.
Unlike some other spa gardens in Gloucestershire, visitors can access Burleigh Court's Wellness Garden at no additional cost, as long as they spend a minimum of £20 per person in the restaurant, or book in for a massage in the treatment hut.
Diners having lunch or afternoon tea are welcome to enjoy the Wellness Garden from 10am to 3pm; while dinner guests can enjoy a sunset session with access from 5pm — all they need to do is book in advance and bring their own towels, with changing facilities available at the hotel.
Families are also welcome in the Wellness Garden from 10am to 3pm Sunday to Thursday, with a maximum of three well-behaved children at a time to maintain the tranquil vibe.
In its two AA rosette restaurant, The Burleigh, there's a grazing menu of light bites available from 12pm to 5pm Wednesday to Saturday, including dishes such as salad of the day made with produce from its kitchen garden; a grazing platter of cured meats, local chutneys and a baby baked camembert; a selection of sourdough sandwiches and toasties; or cream tea.
Afternoon tea is served in the restaurant, or on the front or back terrace on sunny days, from 1pm to 4.30pm Wednesday to Saturday and features a selection of treats from freshly baked scones and pastries to savouries like Scotch eggs and sausage rolls, made with the very best Cotswolds produce.
From 6.30pm, the restaurant serves an a la carte menu of 'reimagined Cotswold cuisine' using local produce, ethical meat and a farm-to-fork ethos, with dishes like 'nose to tail' carrot; pressed chicken, apricot and tarragon terrine; pan-fried stone bass; stuffed rabbit saddle; and Wiltshire lamb rump.
Then on Fridays and Saturdays in the restaurant, guests can enjoy a seven-course tasting menu with matching wine flight, with a new selection of dishes every week; or for a more casual affair, there's wood-fired sourdough pizzas cooked and served on the back terrace throughout summer — ideal for tucking into after a day of poolside relaxation.
To book lunch, afternoon tea or dinner with a visit to the Wellness Garden, call Burleigh Court on (01453) 883804.
