The Spa at Breedon Priory

Can’t live without lunging? Sadly, there’s no gym at the Spa at Breedon Priory, but there is one right next door! The Breedon Priory Health Club isn’t part of the spa experience, but if you’re here on a package you can use the gym floor for a small extra fee (£10 at present). 

Swing some kettlebells at the functional training zone, or use the dumbbells and barbells in the weights area to tone up. Resistance machines are designed to isolate specific muscle groups, while the cardio area boasts 16 pieces of equipment from Technogym’s state of the art Excite range. These have touch screens that let you swipe and scroll through a great range of entertainment options to distract you from all the hard graft you’re doing.

Prefer to get your exercise in the fresh, open air? You’re right on the edge of the National Forest, so lace up your walking boots and go on a hike. This popular natural playground is perfect for walking, cycling or horse-riding while you spot the wildlife and has several well-marked trails to explore.

The Spa at Breedon Priory is truly idyllic, and luckily there’s a heavenly restaurant on-site to match.

The Terrace is super stylish, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows from which to watch the backdrop - the friendly ducks waddling around the immaculate spa gardens. You can eat outdoors if the weather is fine. 

But what to eat? The word here is decadent, so what about a Champagne brunch, a two-course spa lunch or a sumptuous afternoon tea? Whatever you choose, you’re in for a real treat as the chefs here really know their onions - and their gravy, something that takes them a full three days to prepare! 

The dish everyone raves about is the starter - don’t miss the warm brioche with burnt courgette, roquefort, lemon and chilli dip. Reviewers say they could drink a whole mug of it! Take your pick from a menu of classic cocktails and impeccably chosen wines, then sit back and enjoy your delightful surroundings.

The spa has  two outdoor pools but they’re more for lounging than laps, preferably with cocktail in hand. The outdoor infinity edge relaxation pool is like a warm water cocoon, complete with bench flow seating and gentle hydro-massage jets. The vitality pool is more invigorating - prepare to be pummelled from head to toe.

You can travel light because all you really need is your swimwear! A fluffy robe and towel, plus a pair of flip flops will be hanging up in your own personal locker on arrival. There’s shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and a hairdryer in the sumptuous changing rooms, and complimentary water within the Wellbeing Suite and post treatment relaxation area.

You can shuffle to your treatment in your snuggly robe, but wear underwear or dry swimwear underneath or you’ll have to put on the fetching disposable undies. Here for a pedicure? Make sure you’ve got your flip-flops so you don’t smudge.

You’ll find it in Wilson, near the attractive market town of Melbourne, right on the edge of the National Forest. Wilson is about eight miles south of Derby and two miles from the River Trent. Melbourne’s well worth a visit for its Georgian buildings and variety of shops, pubs and restaurants. It’s named after the second Viscount Melbourne - who also gave his name to the famous Australian city.

Want to turn your spa day into a spa stay? While there isn’t any overnight accommodation on-site at Breedon Priory at the moment, plans are very much in the pipeline, so watch this space! 

In the meantime, the spa is partnered with the gorgeously Georgian Breedon Hall Country House B&B which has five immaculately presented en-suite bedrooms. It’s just a five-minute drive away and if you’ve booked a spa visit, you can get 10% off their standard room tariff. 

The Spa opens its luxurious doors from Saturday to Tuesday between 9am and 5.30pm; on Wednesday between 9am and 9pm; on Thursday between 9am and 5.30pm; and on Friday between 9am and 8.30pm.

It’s blissfully adults-only, being open over 18s only.

Sorry - no pets allowed at the Spa, however dogs are welcome in The Garden Café. While not a part of the Spa, it’s in the grounds of Breedon Priory which also has its own health club.

The Spa at Breedon Priory offers accessible treatments from electric-assisted beds in a large, comfortable treatment room on the ground floor. The thermal area is wheelchair friendly too, but there is no poolside hoist. 

For wheelchair access to the Spa, park in the Breedon Priory Health Club car park and go through the Garden Café entrance where a member of staff will assist you.