Altogether now, ‘aaaah….’.  That’s the sound of stress escaping from guests as they sink into the cocoon of tender loving care and relaxation at Grayshott Health Spa. Beauty Bible returned to Grayshott, just an hour south of London, recently after a gap of several years.  Reassuringly, this leading British spa, now celebrating its 50^th birthday, is little changed externally. It started life in a big Edwardian country house with beautiful, extensive grounds backing on to Ashdown forest (where guests can take guided power walks before breakfast) and apart from a couple of new wings, an indoor swimming pool and a smidgeon of refurbing, it maintains the cosy comfy laidback atmosphere of the original house parties.  (Although the guests back then probably wouldn't have been floating round in fluffy white dressing gowns and slippers…)

While many guests come to lose weight, there is oodles of delicious food, even good coffee in the bar, so deprivation is absolutely the last thing you need fuss about.

Many of the treatments are familiar to long term guests (they are particularly strong on mind and body therapies, plus treats like wonderful anti-ageing facials, for instance), but the significant addition is the Seven Day Grayshott Health Regime based on getting your gut in pristine shape so all your other systems can restore, cleanse and balance.  When we were there (only for three days sadly – but we felt pretty good on that), you could see the 100 watt glow of the Seventh Day ‘graduates’ across a crowded room.

Another new addition is the four night Nurture & Support treatment programme specially designed for guests who have been through cancer treatment.  The programme was devised by Elaine Williams, Grayshott’s totally wonderful Director of Natural Therapies, working with treatments developed especially by our old friend Sue Harmsworth, founder of ESPA.

As one reviewer said, it’s probably not the place for a hen party (for which breathe another sigh of relief), but if you are after experience and excellence, with a topping of imagination, you are in the right place.

NB click here to see TIPS from Grayshott therapists.

Grayshott Spa, Headley Road, Grayshott, Nr. Hindhead, Surrey, GU26 6JJ Telephone: 01428 602020 (reservations); 01428 602031 (treatments) www.grayshottspa.com