SPA DOCTOR: Ragdale Hall Spa is the ultimate heatwave escape, with outdoor pools, tennis courts and luxurious treatments

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Modern wellness can feel like hard work, with targets to hit, steps to count and punishing routines to complete, but that’s not the case at Ragdale Hall.

In fact, the main reason I am a returning visitor to the Leicestershire luxury spa is because checking in for two days and doing absolutely nothing is not frowned upon – it is pretty much encouraged.

Located between Melton Mowbray and Loughborough, the traditional country manor house is a shrine to all things health and wellness – and offers guests a huge variety of activities to get stuck into, from voyaging through their (legendary) thermal spa journey to stretching away any underlying tension on a Pilates reformer.

Thanks to the sheer breadth of things on offer, no two visits to Ragdale Hall are ever the same, especially as they go to great efforts to curate seasonal experiences that tie into a months-long theme – this year’s are Rest, Adventure and Thrive.

They also offer tailored wellness retreats exploring specific areas of health, such as sleep and menopause, where they bring in external experts and run one-off classes and workshops to tool you up to keep living well once you’re back to eating all your meals in ‘proper’ clothes rather than a dressing gown.

However, there is one time of year that Ragdale Hall really shines – regardless of the planned programming – and that’s during the summer.

The resort boasts tennis courts, an outdoor pool, stunning gardens… and the chance to simply lie back and enjoy the scorching temperatures with a chilled glass of fizz.

But, as I was reminded during a recent stay, there’s so much more to love about this very special Midlands resort -not least of all their incredible treatment menu. 

Ragdale Hall Spa in Leicestershire is one of Britain’s best wellness resorts 

WHAT DID YOU WANT? 

More than 130 beauty and wellness professionals work at Ragdale, offering everything from express facials and manicures to acupuncture, reflexology and Reiki.

There are also more intensive treatments on offer, including microneedling and anti-wrinkle injections.

But as 2026 has truly been the year of peptides, it was a no-brainer for me to opt for the Medik8 Brightening Platinum Facial (£110) and see what all the fuss was about first-hand.

Peptides are tiny chains of amino acids – the building blocks that make up proteins in the body – and there is an almost limitless number of possible combinations.

In skincare, certain peptides act as messengers, signalling to skin cells to repair, strengthen or renew themselves. Some are used to encourage the production of collagen and elastin – the proteins that help keep skin firm, smooth and springy – while others may help calm inflammation, support the skin barrier, reduce redness and improve the appearance of pigmentation.

The peptides used in this 55-minute treatment include Acetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine and Tetrapeptide-30, which are designed to target excess melanin production and improve the appearance of stubborn pigmentation, age spots and post-blemish marks.

My skin looked brighter and more taut after the 55-minute treatment 

The facial is not solely about peptides, however. It combines exfoliation, massage and targeted skincare to leave the complexion looking brighter, firmer and more even.

It began with a self-heating mushroom and mineral exfoliator, which warmed on my skin as it helped lift away dirt, excess oil and sebum. My therapist then performed a specialist lifting massage before applying the treatment’s main event: a freshly mixed rubber mask infused with platinum particles and skin-smoothing polysaccharides.

As a longtime fan of Medik8, the facial gave me the chance to try some of its peptide-based products without committing to an entire bottle. Afterwards, my skin looked luminous, smoother and noticeably more sculpted.

Treatments are a major part of the Ragdale experience, with most spa days and breaks including at least one. Additional sessions should ideally be booked in advance, and while last-minute appointments do sometimes appear on a blackboard outside the spa reception, the most popular treatments can fill up quickly.

WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO DO THERE? 

At the heart of Ragdale Hall is its thermal spa – a vast glass atrium filled with towering tropical plants, trickling water and a stream running through a rockery.

There are 12 separate heat and water experiences, and stepping inside feels less like arriving in rural England and more like stumbling into some sort of steamy indoor paradise.

Each area has been designed to feel completely different, and it’s glorious. The Candle Pool is hidden inside a darkened cavern, where warm water and flickering lights make it feel as though you have discovered a secret underground grotto.

The outdoor pool is the perfect setting for catching some rays then cooling off

The infinity pool on the roof has uninterrupted views of the countryside 

From there, a lagoon leads outside to the Waterfall Pool, where powerful jets batter away at tight shoulders and hidden alcoves offer somewhere to sit, chat or simply close your eyes and float.

The heat experiences are equally theatrical, with the Thought Zone’s calming sounds and images encouraging you to switch off, while the Scented Room combines aromatherapy with nature scenes in an attempt to nudge your brain into a more peaceful state.

The Volcanic Salt Bath is built from natural basalt and slate and filled with eucalyptus-scented air, which is said to encourage deeper breathing. 

Elsewhere, the Colourflow Cave centres around a glowing crystal mountain, while the Scandinavian-style Rose Sauna promises to loosen tired muscles and calm an overworked mind.

Even the showers have been given the full spa treatment. There is a ‘starlit’ Cave Shower, along with Experience Showers that let you choose between a warm tropical downpour or a blast of cool mist – particularly welcome when you have spent too long baking in one of the hotter rooms or spent time outside.

One of Ragdale’s biggest advantages is that there is no strict time limit on the thermal spa or pools.

Unlike some venues where guests are ushered in and out in timed slots, you can return as often as you like throughout the day, with the indoor facilities remaining open until 10pm, while the outdoor pools close at sunset during the summer.

There’s plenty to experience at Ragdale Hall and new activities to try 

The menus are seasonal with a focus on local, high quality produce 

One of the biggest draws is the rooftop infinity pool – perfect for admiring the endless countryside views or simply enjoying a gossip. 

YOU’LL BE WELL FED 

As a rule, I am not a morning person, but Ragdale could easily convert me – mostly as they offer breakfast in bed as standard

Guests choose their food and drink the night before, place the order in a box near reception and wake up to breakfast delivered directly to their room.

The menu is varied, with options for all dietary requirements. You are encouraged to combine several smaller dishes, so I ordered a tofu and bean pot, Ragdale’s version of cranachan – a Scottish mix of oats, honey, yoghurt and raspberries – and a green smoothie.

Lunch is served buffet-style in the main restaurant, with salads, cold dishes and plenty of lighter options, while dinner is à la carte.

The portions may look modest, but the quality of the ingredients means they are surprisingly filling – and every night you are offered speciality butter with freshly baked bread.

Most guests remain in dressing gowns until the moment they leave, but those craving a little glamour can change for drinks at the sleek Twilight Bar, which stays open late and serves cocktails.

That said, nobody will object if you order one while still wearing your robe – not that I would ever do that… promise! 

• A standard 2-night spa stay at Ragdale Hall Spa starts from £510 per person per night including meals