Therapist Hayley Jeffrey of the Skincare Clinic, Witney

Are you suffering from the post-festive blues, and desperately in need of a pick-me-up to alleviate the dull days of January? Why not take the opportunity to indulge yourself with a gorgeously pampering spa treatment - there's nothing more relaxing than a one-to-one with your beauty therapist, says DENISE BARKLEY The brand new Skincare Clinic, the professional salon that forms part of the renowned Oxford International College of Beauty in Witney, is definitely something to shout about.

The private college has been turning out the most highly qualified beauty therapists for 17 years now, but in the summer their historic 17th-century premises in the High Street were flooded, and it proved a turning point.

Instead of refurbishing, the college moved round the corner into brand new premises in New Bridge Street - and there are now excellent purpose-designed teaching premises, with the very latest equipment, and also the brand new Skincare Clinic. I was invited along to view the new set-up, and enjoy a Decleor facial.

There is a place for everyone in the beauty business, but the Skincare Clinic is offering the most professional and luxurious of experiences. The clinic has a sophisticated feel, contemporary look and excellent therapists - who were the nicest and most professional bunch of girls I've met in a long time.

The Decleor treatments complement the upmarket feel, so I settled back to enjoy being pampered by therapist Hayley Jeffery in one of the four treatment rooms. I was very impressed by the highly professional service I received. All Decleor facials are preceded by a diagnostic back massage, which was very relaxing. I was having Decleor's latest treatment, the de l'Age facial.

After cleansing my face, Hayley used an illuminated magnifying glass to do a detailed analysis of my skin. The facial was sublimely relaxing, featuring a detoxfying masque to fight the signs of ageing. I was really impressed with the results - my face, especially my eyes, looked bright and alert. Dare I say it, definitely a few years younger! This is the kind of treatment which would work well for a special event - I'm going to book myself in for my son's wedding later this year!

You will find a whole range of pampering treatments, and essential maintenance' services - such as waxing and eyebrow shaping - at the Skincare Clinic. They are also proud of their Jane Iredale make-up range, which is recommended by dermatologists. It is mineral-based so it is also suitable for patients receiving radiotherapy.

n The Skincare Clinic, New Bridge Street, Witney, call 01993 775858, www.theskincareclinic.biz Decleor Excellence de l'Age facial, £59 The rather lovely spa at Bicester Country Club is another Oxfordshire retreat that has escaped my attentions, until recently.

Indulge in luxurious treatments from Elemis at the Forest of Wellbeing, located at Bicester Country Club. The spa pool is pictured, inset

The Forest of Wellbeing forms part of this very upmarket golf and country club at Chesterton. You don't have to be a member to use the spa, which has a relaxed contemporary feel, and you can revel in a treatment menu featuring the very best of what top beauty brand Elemis has to offer.

I received Elemis's very latest treatment - the Pro-Collagen Quartz Lift facial - which is described as a revolutionary anti-ageing treatment that is clinically proven to reduce the number of wrinkles by up to 94 per cent and improve skin firmness by up to 57 per cent after just one treatment. Quite a claim, and one I was happy to put to the test.

Beauty therapist and spa manager Clare Morgan soon had me cocooned in comfort, face cleansed and ready for application of the mineral-rich products, which Elemis say play an important role by protecting and de-stressing the skin cells.

Clare started my treatment with the welcome touch' foot massage - a feature of all Elemis treatments - and from there it was relaxation all the way. The finished result was excellent - yes, there were less wrinkles and my skin felt soft and comfortable. Elemis recommend a course of six of these, every three weeks.

You can then continue the good work at home using the Pro-Collagen Anti-Ageing range, and the Quartz Lift Serum.

If you want to extend your visit to the Forest of Wellbeing, then there are a variety of spa days to choose from - with all kinds of treatments and all including refreshments, lunch and use of the swimming pool, spa and relaxation area.

The Forest of Wellbeing Beauty Spa Bicester Country Club, Chesterton, tel 01869 240754, www.bicestercountryclub.com Elemis Pro-Collagen Quartz Lift facial, from £65.

I ended up smelling good enough to eat after experiencing a signature body treatment at The Vineyard at Stockcross, the five-star hotel near Newbury that is home to John Campbell's two-Michelin starred The Vineyard restaurant.

The classy food theme is carried through to the hotel's boutique spa, where ChocoTherapy, VinoTherapy and TruffleTherapy are on the menu.

I was visiting The Vineyard to dine in the renowned restaurant, but was persuaded (I didn't need much persuading) to try one of the signature treatments too. I chose the ChocoTherapy, and spent the next two hours enveloped in chocolate aromas as I was exfoliated, wrapped and massaged in tons of the stuff. Well, it isn't actually chocolate per se, but it is products made with it - so don't go for this unless you love chocolate, because the small can get somewhat sickly after that length of time.

However, this treatment did leave me silky smooth all over - and all it took was a quick shower to stop me smelling (and looking) like a bar of Dairy Milk.

The treatment began with an exfoliating and toning scrub of grape must and honey, then I was smeared in a chocolate mousse containing black pepper and cloves to nourish and combat cellulite, and this was followed by an ambrosia oil combo of coffee and juniper berries. I was wrapped in a plastic sheet and blankets and left to cook' while I had a lovely relaxing scalp massage. After a 15-minute lull, during which I dropped off, it was time to shower and then enjoy a deep relaxing massage, with more chocolate-rich cream. And there was even more chocolate - as you leave you get a small box filled with gorgeous chocolates, hand-made in the kitchens of The Vineyard.

If you love chocolate, you will love this treatment - my skin felt like silk, and the stresses and strains had just ebbed away.... and, if you are lucky, you will get to stay over in one of The Vineyard's deluxe bedrooms and dine on two-Michelin starred food in the excellent restaurant too!

The Vineyard Spa The Vineyard at Stockcross, Stockcross, Newbury Tel: 01635 589415 www.the-vineyard.co.uk ChocoTherapy body treatment, £120 I have to admit, I had never had a massage from a man before, and I wasn't sure I wanted to. But then people started singing the praises of Andrew Trinder, who works at Heavenly Bodies Spa in Beaumont Street, Oxford, and I decided that perhaps I ought to quash my inbuilt modesty, and give him a go.

Andrew was professionalism itself, and soon put me at ease. I had a lovely relaxing aromatherapy massage and, to be honest, if the massage is good - it's not important whether it's a woman or a man doing it! Andrew made judicious use of towels to cover my modesty, and the massage was very good indeed.

Aromatherapy massage Andrew Trinder Heavenly Bodies Spa Beaumont Street, Oxford 1 hr massage: £48 The rather lovely spa at Bicester Country Club is another Oxfordshire retreat that had escaped my attentions, until recently.

The Forest of Wellbeing forms part of this smart golf and country club at Chesterton. You don't have to be a member to use the spa, which has a relaxed contemporary feel, and you can revel in a treatment menu featuring the very best of what top beauty brand Elemis has to offer.

I received Elemis's very latest treatment - the Pro-Collagen Quartz Lift facial - which is described thus: a revolutionary anti-ageing treatment that is clinically proven to reduce the number of wrinkles by up to 94 per cent and improve skin firmness by up to 57 per cent after just one treatment. Quite a claim, and one I was happy to put to the test.

Beauty therapist and spa manager Clare Morgan soon had me cocooned in comfort, face cleansed and ready for application of the mineral-rich products, which Elemis say play an important role by protecting and de-stressing the skin cells.

Clare started my treatment with the welcome touch' foot massage - a feature of all Elemis treatments - and from there it was relaxation all the way.

The finished result was excellent - yes, there were less wrinkles and my skin felt soft and comfortable. Elemis recommend a course of six of these, every three weeks. You can then continue the good work at home using the Pro-Collagen Anti-Ageing range, and the Quartz Lift Serum.

If you want to extend your visit to the Forest of Wellbeing, then there are a variety of spa days to choose from - with all kinds of treatments and all including refreshments, lunch and use of the swimming pool, spa and relaxation area.

n The Forest of Wellbeing Beauty Spa Bicester Country Club, Chesterton, call 01869 240754 www.bicestercountryclub.com Elemis Pro-Collagen Quartz Lift facial, from £65 Ismelt like something akin to a bar of Dairy Milk after experiencing a signature body treatment at The Vineyard at Stockcross, the five-star hotel near Newbury that is home to John Campbell's two-Michelin starred restaurant.

The classy food theme is carried through to the hotel's boutique spa, where ChocoTherapy, VinoTherapy and TruffleTherapy are on the menu.

I was visiting The Vineyard to dine in the renowned restaurant, but was persuaded (I didn't need much persuading) to try one of the signature treatments too. I chose the ChocoTherapy, and spent the next two hours enveloped in chocolate aromas as I was exfoliated, wrapped and massaged in loads of the stuff. Well, it isn't actually chocolate per se, but it is products made with it - so don't go for this unless you love chocolate, because the small can get somewhat sickly over the space of a couple of hours.

However, this treatment did leave me silky smooth all over - and all it took was a quick shower to stop me smelling (and looking) like a bar of chocolate.

The treatment began with an exfoliating and toning scrub of grape must and honey, then I was smeared in a chocolate mousse containing black pepper and cloves to nourish and combat cellulite, and this was followed by an ambrosia oil combo of coffee and juniper berries. I was wrapped in a plastic sheet and blankets and left to cook' while I had a lovely relaxing scalp massage. After a 15-minute lull, during which I dozed off, it was time to shower and then enjoy a deep relaxing massage, with more chocolate-rich cream. And there was even more chocolate - as you leave you get a small box filled with gorgeous chocolates, hand-made in the kitchens of The Vineyard.

If you love chocolate, you will love this treatment - my skin felt like silk, and the stresses and strains had just ebbed away. If you really want to push the boat out, stay over in one of The Vineyard's deluxe bedrooms and dine on Michelin-starred food in the excellent restaurant too!

n The Vineyard Spa, The Vineyard at Stockcross, Stockcross, Newbury Tel: 01635 589415 www.the-vineyard.co.uk ChocoTherapy body treatment, £120 CASTING INHIBITIONS TO THE WIND...

I have to admit, I had never had a massage from a man before, and I wasn't sure I wanted to. But then people started singing the praises of Andrew Trinder, pictured left, and I decided to cast my inhibitions to the wind, and give him a go.

Andrew was professionalism itself, and soon put me at ease.

I had a lovely relaxing aromatherapy massage and, to be honest, if the massage is good - it's not important whether it's a woman or a man doing it! And Andrew made judicious use of towels, so my modesty was never in question!

Andrew Trinder, call 01865 247377, www.woodstockmassage.co.uk 1 hour aromatherapy massage: £48 TO THE MANOR BORN...

IF you are looking for something a little bit different, then C-side spa at the chic Cowley Manor Hotel, seemingly lost in the wilds of Gloucestershire, but actually just a few miles from Cheltenham (about 45 minutes from Oxford) definitely fits the bill.

From the hotel, you can't even see the spa, which has been built into a dip in the hillside - it's a symphony in glass and concrete. But it really works, the starkly minimalist lines of the building, cutting edge indoor and outdoor pools, sauna, steam room and gym are quite different to any other spa I have been too.

My visit, it must be said, turned into something rather more unusual than anticipated as a snow blizzard descended, resulting in a power cut plunging the pool - in which I was the lone swimmer - into darkness. Luckily, the hotel's generator swiftly kicked in!

Preceding my swim I sampled C-side's excellent Cloud 9 treatment, which did exactly as promised. After 90 minutes of blissful massage and a facial, I fair floated out of the treatment room.

Guests can tailor their spa visit to include soothing massages, luxurious wraps and bespoke facials based on personal requirements.

I was tempted to swim in the gently steaming outside pool, but the snow was fierce, so in the end I donned wellies and tramped back to the warmth and comfort of Cowley Manor, a mansion-style hotel with an ultra-modern laidback edge. Again, definitely a bit different, and a gorgeous place to take a break.

n C-Side Spa, Cowley Manor, near Cheltenham. Spa bookings: 01242 870 900, www.cowleymanor.com The ultimate indulgence is a ChocoTherapy massage in the spa, followed by dinner in the restaurant - which has two Michelin stars - at The Vineyard at Stockcross, Newbury

11:35am Monday 28th January 2008

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