YORKSHIRE

WHAT? Rudding Park WHERE? Harrogate, North Yorkshire HOW MUCH? Rooms from £189 per night; spa breaks from £177, which includes half board, spa access and a 50-minute treatment; ruddingpark.co.uk. WHO? Victoria Rudland, Chief Sub Editor WHY THIS SPA? They say money can’t buy happiness, but I’ll tell you what it can buy and that’s one hell of a spa. Rudding Park threw £9.5 million at its new spa wing, which opened last May, and it’s already won a host of awards and been hailed as the best new spa in the UK. With its sleek, ultra-modern glassy exteriors, an extensive rooftop spa and gardens, outdoor hydrotherapy infinity pool, indoor lap pool, Rasul mud room, experience showers and a plethora of saunas and steam rooms, this is one seriously impressive endeavour. Set in 300 acres of parkland, this elegant 19th-century country house estate, with its bold design and comfortable, stylish interiors, forms the perfect backdrop to a luxurious weekend of wellness. GO FOR THE… Rejuvenating Age Support Facial. This indulgent 75-minute treatment is tailored to your skin type and uses the Elemental Herbology range to improve tone, clarity and texture. It starts with a resurfacing cleanse and exfoliating AHA mask – strong enough to tingle, but not so much that you’re left with a red face. Lotion after potion is then massaged into your face, neck and décolletage, using acupressure techniques to invigorate the skin and rose quartz rollers to soothe inflammation, and it ends with a head and foot massage that’ll send you floating out into the luxe mind and sense relaxation zones. Afterwards, I couldn’t stop touching my

face. My skin had never felt so plumped, smooth and hydrated – my fine lines were rendered invisible and I headed to dinner make-up-free and glowing. SPECIAL MENTION Got a hunger on after all that pampering? You’re well placed. Spa aside, it’s worth visiting Rudding Park for its outstanding food alone. The hotel’s fine dining restaurant, Horto, has three AA Rosettes, placing it in the top 10% in the AA Restaurant Guide. Using high-quality local produce and seasonal ingredients from the hotel’s kitchen garden, the menu is based on simple pairings with a clever twist. Go for the eight-course tasting menu – and you might as well splash out on the wine pairing while you’re at it. Go on, treat yo’self.