North Devon Journal
An oasis of real pleasure and indulgence at Downe Health Spa
By Andrea Charter!
When your daughter wears Gucci sling backs and you yourself are happier in wellies, a trip to a plush health spa promises to be – well, interesting …
She, full of the joys of pain poring, as an aspiring footballer’s wife, me full of trepidation and guilt driven by a mile-wide work ethic. We entered Downe Health Spa at Hartland-and there was paradise.
Seriously. It was bliss. Utter bliss. And yes, you are reading the words of the converted.
Greeted by a cheery therapist we were led through an enormous, warm and welcoming conservatory dotted with beautiful plants and lined at the far end with striking photographs, where a number of white robed women were eating a delicious-looking lunch.
We moved on into a space filled with plush, suck-you-in furniture and a well equipped gym, were offered refreshments and sank back in the cushions, luxury all around – right through to the beautiful views from massive windows forming the wall on the far side of the gym.
Jeremy and Lynda Roe opened Downe Health Spa four years ago, and Jeremy talked us through our pampering options, giving us a guided tour of the spacious premises.
We were then left to our own devices for some playful girlie time before our booked treatments, selected beforehand from a wide range of beauty and holistic therapies.
Norah Jones crooned gently as we sat in the spa, warm as toast in water that gently pummelled tense muscles, while the rain and wind outside lashed down on yet more glass walls – these open on to the lovely gardens and pond in warmer weather.
Out of the spa, into the shower, and-will we or won’t we try the steam room? Oh yes! Another shower, and still time for a sauna and excuse me-but are my shoulders no longer Velcro-ed to my ears with stress?
On something of a relaxation roll, (daughter, curiously, was taking it all in her stride) there was an aromatherapy back and shoulder massage to follow, with the option for relaxing or uplifting – no contest. More relaxation please.
This was in a beautifully ambient room, with soft music. candlelight and even warmed towels on the treatment bench – you couldn’t help drift away into deep relaxation as my therapist gently made short work of every neck and shoulder knot. Emerging from this feeling floppier than ever, it was time for a facial. Facials include a massage and take an hour, so it’s worth giving yourself plenty of time for the hull Monty. It has to be said my own “mature” skin has never felt softer or looked clearer.
The bottom line is, this was a tranquil, peaceful place to wile away some quality mother and daughter time, forget about the worries and strains of the week and enjoy the slow transition from work-weary and stressed to mellow and refreshed.
It also proved how much in common two very different girls can have when it comes to luxurious pleasures.
A cream tea beyond measure – with scrumptious homemade scones made to Jeremy’s mother’s recipe, which was passed on to Lynda and on, in turn, to her staff – topped off the experience perfectly. This was. quite simply, an oasis of pleastire and indulgence.
With a range of gift certificates it could make the perfect present.