Mum-of-four Katherine MacAlister enjoys the ultimate post-baby pick-me-up at Ragdale Hall's new Thermo Spa Iwonder why they asked ME to write about a rescue spa weekend'? Could it be because I've just had a fourth and extremely grumpy baby and they think I'm in need of a pick-me-up? Well, of course I am!

What wouldn't I give for a whole weekend at a spa with a friend, without any children. So, having been given the green light to visit Ragdale Hall's new multi-million pound thermo spa, I now had to bribe my husband to take care of the brood for a whole weekend - no mean feat.

With him perfecting his martyred look, children draped about his person, I left (quickly) on a Saturday morning. My partner-in-relaxation Jane and I took an hour-and-a-half to reach Ragdale Hall in Leicestershire, our tongues nearly hanging out in eagerness.

Ragdale Hall is a rather imposing place with red brick battlements, yet it is very much a mix of the old and new. And while the dining room, reception and bedrooms dwell very much in the past, the spa is bursting into the present.

Before we handed over our bodies we had to feed them first, so lunch it was. Led into the huge hall we were seated by our own waitress and handed the menus. Forget the dietary deprivations of the past, Ragdale now prides itself on having an everything in moderation' ethos, while providing a healthy and nutritional three-course menu.

The mains were served buffet-style, but the choice was incredible, with a fabulous array of salads.. We chose the baked salmon and the risotto and ate to our hearts' content, feeling virtuous throughout.

Surrounded by other clientele all dressed in their white bathrobes, we realised that Ragdale Hall has thought long and hard about how to make its guests feel most comfortable. Providing the most amazing treatments imaginable certainly helps, and from 3pm-6pm we did our best to give them a run-for-their-money.

Having had to book the treatments weeks in advance, we had chosen the most thorough therapies available.

Ragdale Hall's brand new Thermo Spa includes the thought zone and, top, candle cave pool

Li'Tya, is a new name in the treatment books. It originates from Australia and embraces traditional aboriginal healing techniques using desert salts, native plant oils and ancient earth ochres.

The Dreaming' is its piece de résistance, a three-hour, one-to-one spa therapy session devoted to both your body and spirit, including a body wrap and massage, scalp massage, facial and hand and foot treatments. It was personalised and tailored entirely to my needs and, yes, of course it was bliss.

Jane had the Decleor Anti-Ageing Face and Body experience which lasted over two hours and had her glowing by the end.

We floated back to our lovely room, with gorgeous views across the countryside, and, dressed in our robes, we tried to tackle our delicious a la carte three-course dinner. We gave up after the mains and took our desserts up to our room, where we succumbed to sleep.

The next morning, still glowing, we were awoken by our healthy breakfast in bed and then went for a long walk before plunging into the spa.

The new spa extension should have been called Thermoland, such is the incredible array of attractions. Thunderous rain showers, a candle cave pool, a salt steam room, an external pool and waterfall, a rose sauna - you name it and it was there.

There is also the enormous pool and jacuzzi perched amid the rocks to enjoy. Which all combine to make time fly, and before we knew it, we it was time to leave, and we never did make it to the shops, the water gym or exercise classes.

n Ragdale Hall can be reached on 01664 434831 or at www.ragdalehall.co.uk

11:41am Monday 28th January 2008

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