Ragdale Hall Spa

First impressions

Ragdale Hall is a large, comfortable country house set in the Leicestershire countryside. Follow the long driveway down to the hotel, catching glimpses of the attractive gardens and red brick house along the way.

This is a dedicated spa retreat so you will be pampered from the moment you arrive – simply hand your keys and luggage over to the porter and you are ready to spa (the car is parked for you and your luggage magically appears in your room)..

What's on offer?

Pick up a map of the spa on arrival so you don’t miss anything. There is plenty of spa on offer here including six pools - one of which is on the roof - 12 heat and water experiences, and a wide array of temping treatments, daily exercise classes and - most importantly - plenty of inviting loungers on which to unwind.

Water babies will love the choice of pools. The 25-metre version allows you to stretch out for a serious swim, then relax under the cascade or in the warm whirlpool. Join the aqua classes in the exercise pool or head up to the restful rooftop pool where you can just lie back in warm bubbly water and admire the green views.

Take the steps down into the warm Candle Pool where gentle music and candlelight lets you float around peacefully. Or follow the path of the waterfall pool which leads outside, through steam and mist, and past massage jets.

The Thermal Spa area offers a range of experiences: relax in the Scented Room, take deep refreshing breaths in the Volcanic Salt Bath or the Herbal Sauna and allow the tropical storm setting of an experience shower to wake you up. Go round a couple of times, adding in the experiences and rooms you missed first time. If they aren’t immediately obvious, take time to hunt out the Thought Zone and the Colour Flow Cave.

The design at Ragdale Hall encourages you to do as little – or as much – as you wish. Relax in the sun streaming into the Pavilion lounge, hide away in the Retreat for a snooze, chill outside in the courtyard or curl up by the pool with a good book.

Treatment talk

We tried a Clarins Serenity Facial (60 minutes, £97).

Tara, my therapist, greeted me in the conservatory waiting area and took me to the treatment room where she explained the stages of the facial, including essential oils, coloured light therapy and hot stones for the massage elements. Tara conducted a deep consultation to begin with, to understand my needs, and even asked me what colour I liked to relax to.

Once I was settled face up on the warm treatment bed, Tara smothered Clarins Orchid Treatment oil on her hands and forearms, encircled my face and asked me to breathe deeply. This was the ‘aromatherapy bubble’ she had promised: I felt warm and safe as I breathed in the scents. I found myself relaxing further as Tara walked her hands down my body over the towels until she reached my feet.

After a facial cleanse and tone, Tara added a layer of Clarins Cryo Flash mask on my skin. While this worked, Tara used Clarins Renew Plus body serum to perform a good, long massage of my arms and feet, working on the arches of my feet and pushing the toes up (an exercise my Pilates Teacher once taught me to stretch and loosen the ankles).

Once the mask and eye pads were removed, Tara massaged my face in an upwards motion, spending plenty of time on the side of my eyes (where those dratted smile lines are quickly becoming wrinkles) using the Clarins Super Restorative Total Eye Lift Cream.

I was now so relaxed I didn’t really notice the application of the Clarins Beauty Flash Balm, a product I used to swear by. Trying it again made me remember how effective it can be to brighten skin.

Treatment concluded, Tara helped me sit up and brought me a glass of water. I could not resist looking in the mirror… those wrinkles had been dialled down a stage or two and the dark circles under my eyes were sufficiently reduced to not show through the tinted moisturiser I routinely use. My skin looked bright and plumped, too - and I felt very (very) relaxed.

Tara led me back to the conservatory where my spa partner was waiting after this hot stone massage with Neamh. She had used plenty of rich body lotion and relaxing oils to moisturise his rather dry skin.

The Spa at Ragdale Hall offers a wide range of facials for all types, and a selection of massages - from hot stone to an MOT massage. There are also body scrubs, floats, detoxes and wraps, as well as interesting wellness treatments including a sleep collection, along with complementary therapies such as hypnotherapy, reiki, crystal sound healing and even cosmetic acupuncture.

Food facts

You can eat in the large, wood-panelled dining room or the smaller more informal Verandah Bar which serves breakfast, lunch and drinks all day. The main dining room opens for lunch and dinner. You can also have breakfast in bed which is a bit of a Ragdale tradition (not to mention a deliciously lazy start to the day).

The buffet lunch here includes a full roast dinner and other hot dishes, alongside a wide selection of fresh salads followed by some tempting desserts. We opted for some fish served in a lemony sauce with some salad, while our spa partner went the full roast option, managing to follow it with an apple and yogurt dessert. We both felt very comfortable eating en robe.

That evening we got dressed for dinner in the main dining room. Our spa partner enjoyed roast butternut squash with pasta and spinach, followed by a selection of cheeses. We overindulged on the lovely Hambleton Bakery artisan bread, so opted for a light fish dish for our main course. We both choose a glass of Sauvignon Blanc to complete our meal.

We loved / we didn't love

We loved

The ‘Available Treatments’ blackboard: whatever you have pre-booked there will be extra things to select from this daily list, many of which will be finishing touches in the Express treatments room. Squeeze in another couple of treatment and go home happy.

The sense of space: there are plenty of places to sit quietly within the spa. Head for the snooze room if you fancy a nap or settle down on a recliner in the garden if the weather is kind.

The range of things to do: as well as the pools and heat experiences, there are classes, wellbeing events - from woodland walks to guided meditations - and specialist treatments; prepare to be well and truly pampered. Even if you are just trying water facilities and relaxing with a good book, the attentive staff will make you feel well looked after.


We didn't love

Only staying only one night: there is so much to do that a day is not enough.

The dining room is very busy and can feel rather crowded, especially at lunchtime.

Who do you think would like it?

Those who want a new look: there are some special treatments and finishing elements for the face and body, delivered by amazingly good therapists.

Anyone needing to be alone: this is the perfect place to visit solo. Take a book (or three) and settle down for some real ‘me time’.

Anyone in need of a treat: cocktails at a spa? Yes please. Treat yourself to something bubbly in the Twilight Bar at the end of the day.

What Bubble Rating did you award this spa?

Time and time again, we award Ragdale Hall Spa our coveted Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of 5 Bubble Luxury for its wide range of thermal experiences and pools, luxurious rooms and excellent customer service. It also scores top marks for its skilled therapists and wide range of treatments on offer.

Sybaritic Spy visited in November 2025 and awarded it 5 Bubble Luxury