Looking for a retreat to relax, rejuvenate and cleanse to be the best version of you? Look no further than Champneys. Everything from the treatments, seasonal food, fitness classes and spa is focused on providing the ultimate cleansing & health experience in the dreamiest, relaxing setting. It is perfect to visit for restorative downtime which is what we all need sometimes to re-set and get away from the everyday stresses of commuting, work and endless emails pinging on our phones. Stress that's left unchecked can contribute to many health problems including high blood pressure, obesity, irregular ovulation affecting fertility and diabetes. If you are looking to cleanse your body and mind to take away from the stresses before embarking on IVF and to just re-set and get your head together, I cannot recommend a spa break anymore. Set within a secluded lake and 160 acre forest in the country village of Liphook in Hampshire, Champneys Forest Mere really is the perfect spot to escape.
Welcomed with with a freshly pressed juice - orange, carrot & ginger, you know this place is all about the health. Our room was available straight away, (check in is normally at 2pm but your welcome to get there early and use the facilities before). En-route to the room, I could not resist a peek in the shop, which is stocked to the brim with goodies including Aromatherapy Associates, Decleor and Kate Loxton, all fabulous brands. The stop off inevitably resulted in purchases including the Champneys whipped body souffle (so luxurious & super nourishing), Decleor gift set and hand wash & moisturiser for home.
The rooms are divine, cream tones with lots of light streaming through the doors & windows that automatically make you feel relaxed. The patio doors in our room led through to a private terrace with views of the garden and lake. There really is something quite soothing to just being around nature.
Tote bags with robes and flip flops are given to you on arrival, to slip into and you will not feel out of place walking around the complex in your robe, which is just heaven to float around pre or post massage.
A night's stay here includes lunch, dinner and breakfast with everything focused on optimising your health. Champneys has very well earned its reputation as a cutting-edge wellness and detox centre it is. All the food is freshly prepared on site with seasonal ingredients so you know what your eating is fresh, healthy and rich with nutrients. Champneys, unlike other spas, understands the importance of a well-balanced, nutrition-rich diet so you feel good as good on the inside as you look on the outside. Unlike many spas where you will see ladies sippin bubbles, Champneys is not the place for this, it focuses on health which I found a refreshing change.
Lunch is a daily buffet. Colourful and full of flavour with lots of dishes to take your fancy, from rocket salad, whole grains including brown rice, pasta & quinoa and lean protein such as octopus and grilled chicken. The plates are a helpful reminder not to get carried away with the buffet (as most of us can be guilty of). Based on the Eatwell Guide from the government's dietary guidelines, the plate focuses on quality not quantity and is divided into three parts to guide you through taking you back to basics:
Non Starchy Vegetables (50%) - An unlimited amount of non starchy vegetables, including asparagus, mushrooms, artichoke, rocket leaves, tomato, onion, peppers, broccolli, courgette and cucumber.
Fibre Rich Carbohydrate (25%) - A fist size portion of wholemeal bread and pasta, oatcakes, brown rice, sweet potato and quinoa.
Healthy Protein (25%) - A palm sized portion of lean meat, white or oily fish, lentils, tofu, nuts and seeds.
With a 1tbsp of essential oils including extra virgin olive oil or flaxseed oil.
The main dietary message of the Eatwell Guide is the fundamental basics of eating a healthy, balanced diet. It is so easy to go off track, if your eating out in restaurants, grabbing quick meals on the go or picking up ready made food on your way home from work to eat at home that we can loose sight of the basic principles. Champneys focuses on providing guests with a healthy experience so you leave feeling your best and with tips to take home. It gave me lots of inspiration of salads and dishes to make at home.
After a leisurely lunch, we hit the spa for some treatments. In need of a pedicure, I opted for the 90minute ultimate foot transformation pedicure. I was not quite sure what could possibly be involved in an 1hr 30min pedicure but I could not want to find out and boy was it good. I felt like my toes were walking on cloud nine after the hot paraffin booties and foot, arm and scalp massage. My mum and I both enjoyed the treatment in the same room which was a nice touch and surprise too. I could not resist the Aromatherapy Associates inner strength massage. I am such a huge fan of Aromatherapy Associates products especially their oils (a permanent fixture in my bathroom), so this treatment was a must.
The spa is so dreamy with lots of relaxation rooms including water beds and 'sleep' zones where you can literally sit on a bed, pull the cosy covers over you and take a nap (if napping is your thing) or simply enjoying the peace and quiet with the gentle crackling of the fire (heaven!). Anywhere that involves locking your phone away and enjoying the peace & quiet in a robe with matching slippers works for me.
Dinner is served in the main restaurant daily and consists of an a la carte menu with the first page offering a selection of delicious and super healthy starters, mains and desserts. There is even a special light menu tailored for those who are focused on cleansing. The menus are expertly designed by nutritionists to make a weight loss or maintenance journey both rewarding and enjoyable. We enjoyed the grilled salmon with brocolli and light mac n cheese and finished with dessert - the raw cacao brownie with berry compote, which tasted so indulgent but totally guilt free with a glass of red wine. Red wine is considered an important part of the Mediterranean diet which has been associated with many health benefits. In a study of over 18,000 Spain participants, the closer people drank mainly red wine in a traditional and moderate Mediterranean style, the greater the association with reduced mortality (Gea et al, 2014). In other words, enjoying a glass of wine over dinner in moderation really is not going to do you any harm, and it could help you live longer ;) Spirits are not on the menu at Champneys but the odd glass of wine is if you fancy it with your evening meal.
After a gorgeous meal, and a fabolous night's sleep, it was time for an early morning 'wake up workout', 30 minutes of toning and stretching to fix you up for the day ahead, followed by a swim. There is a workout on offer for everybody from hiking (outdoorsy types) to ballet, yoga at different levels, spinning and circuits. Even if your not really the 'gym type' being at Champneys makes you want to workout and reap the health benefits.
Next up my favourite part of the day, breakfast! The breakfast selection does not disappoint, I opted for the bircher muesli, gluten and dairy free, with berry compote and super seeds. Perfect post workout packed with goodness, slow releasing low GI carbohydrate and no refined sugar. After a heavenly relaxing morning, it was time to say farewell to my most relaxing spa break yet, good bye Champneys and thanks for the wonderful memories. I cannot wait to book back up and visit when I am next feeling in need of a relax and cleanse.
I could not recommend Champneys more if your looking for the ultimate destination to detox and keep you focused on your goals in a cosy and luxurious setting away from any temptations whether that be food cravings, bad habits or away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and your mobile phone. Champneys Tring offers spa days from £119 as well as stays from £175, the best offers available are mid week including breakfast, lunch and dinner. Trust me, you will leave feeling like a new person.
Lisa x