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  he first glimpse of Forest Mere is across a large natural lake as visitors emerge from the tree-lined drive. The red brick house was built in the 1800s as a hunting lodge and gate keeper’s house for the Royal Forest of Bramshott, and still stands in 150 acres of woodland today. This destination spa is part of Champneys Health Resorts international group and is situated in Hampshire, southern England.
I arrived on a rare sunny afternoon in autumn and walked into the reception area to see people sitting around quietly chatting or reading, all dressed in the regulation dressing gowns and slippers. I had been warned by friends who had been there a few weeks previously that padding around all in white surrounded by other identically dressed guests can create a feeling of having landed in some sort of institution, but I found it made me feel instantly at home and more than ready to relax.
Our twin room, one of 89 bedrooms, was on the ground floor with doors that opened onto the central courtyard. The en-suite room was clean and comfortable, and in keeping with the slight austerity expected from a place dedicated to creating a healthier you. According to Philippa Thompson, Forest Mere’s general manager, all the bedrooms will be undergoing a total refurbishment this year.
After settling in I was shown where the various dining rooms, relaxation areas, swimming pool, changing rooms and treatment areas were. After booking a table for the evening meal in the room overlooking the lake, I went for a swim in the indoor pool, while my partner went for the first of many fitness classes. Guests can book in for any number of activity classes (some come at an additional cost) ranging from Pilates to aqua workouts and lakeside walks. There is also a list of talks each week for those who wish to exercise their minds rather than their bodies, and these include tarot readings, cookery demos and life coaching.
The changing room leading to the indoor swimming poolhas a sauna, steam room and plunge pool, as well as the usual showers, lockers and hair drying areas. Thompson explains that this area is also due for an upgrade this year, preserving the beautiful tiled steam room. The 25 meter pool has a whirlpool attached, and in the next room there is a Thalassotherapy pool which Champneys says was the first in the UK.
I went to the dedicated treatment area, which incorporates 42 treatment rooms, a Rasul mud chamber, hairdressing salon and waiting rooms. My therapist, Marie, collected me from the waiting room and took me off for my 25 minute Upper Body Bliss treatment (£29.95). Having ensured that I was comfortable, Marie started the massage, which focused on my back and neck. The essential oil of lavender, mandarin and chamomile combined with Marie’s expert touch to finally rid my neck of the pain of too many hours at the computer, no mean feat, and I left the room in a dreamlike haze.
 Other massages offered are: Clarins Personal Blend Aromatic Body, 55 minutes of aromatherapy massage at £55.95; Elemis Deep Tissue Massage for those who are particularly tense or have aching muscles, 55 minutes at £55.95; Babor Scen-Tao, 1 hour 25 minute hot stone massage that balances chakras by focusing on Shiatsu pressure points, £69.95 and Indian Head Massage, 45 minutes of scalp, neck and shoulder massage, £49.95.
The only time guests are required to dress is for dinner in the evening, and so I reluctantly exchanged my dressing gown for clothes as I went for a pre-dinner drink at the bar. The barman nearly fainted with shock at my request for gin and tonic – the only alcohol they serve is wine as some studies have shown it to have health benefits – and so I settled for organic ginger beer instead.
I had been expecting to share a table with other guests as the dining room we had chosen was quite popular, but in the end we had a table to ourselves. Sharing tables seemed to be looked on favorably by the majority of guests, especially as some people were there by themselves, and it certainly seemed to add to the impression of Forest Mere as a home from home.
While no foods are banned, the menu shows a clear respect for healthy foods (dips are served with bread as an alternative to butter) and a sensible labeling system allows guests to determine which is best for them.
When we were there the starters included guinea fowl, smoked bacon and basil terrine with mixed seasonal leaves and a red onion relish, and avocado, crayfish, cherry tomato and roquette leaf salad with an orange and chive vinaigrette. Main courses offered a mixture of meat, fish and vegetable dishes such as pan fried salmon escalope with stir fried vegetables and oriental dressing, and asparagus and pea risotto with a pea shoot salad and a sunflower and mint pesto dressing, followed by a selection of desserts.
Guests wishing a more special meal can pay a supplement for a five course meal with a glass of champagne in a different dining room, although the amount of food I was given in the three courses was enough to send me sleepily to my room at a very early hour.
Sitting on the patio outside my bedroom in the morning, drinking tea and watching the birds, was a fantastic way to start the day. After breakfast from the buffet of cereals, fruit, yoghurt and toast (cooked breakfasts are available), I took a walk down to the lake. Recliners are situated on the lakeside, allowing a peaceful view to the woods on the other side. Near the lake is an outdoor pool, but as the weather was far too cold to consider dipping even a toe in, I went back to the sauna and steam room before having a brief attempt at exercise in the indoor pool.
 The Rasul Mud Chamber (£29.95 for 45 minutes) was the location of the next treatment which both my partner and I took part in. Janice, our therapist, explained that we were to cover ourselves with two types of mud, one for sensitive skin such as the face, and the other for the rest of our bodies, and then sit in the circular steam chamber. After completely coating ourselves in mud (it’s best to do this with close friends only as you have to slap mud on each other while wearing nothing but unattractive paper knickers), we sat in the chamber and waited as it filled up with steam before rubbing the mud into the skin. The treatment claims to purify and detox the body, as well as ease insomnia and fatigue, and it’s one of the few times adults are allowed to play with mud without people commenting on their childishness, which is as good a reason as any to experience this fabulous therapy. After showers at the end to remove the excess mud, we were given Champneys’s own brand moisturizers to leave our skin feeling silky and soft.
It was time for the buffet lunch, this time on the outdoor terrace overlooking the lake. The food was a mixture of cold salads and light hot dishes, but the plates were the star attraction as they had sections drawn on them showing how much of the different food groups one should aim for. While I didn’t see a single person stick to the guidelines, I personally felt more virtuous knowing what I should have eaten for a healthy diet, to the point where I went up for seconds.
My final treatment was a quick 25-minute Relaxing Facial (£29.95) with Rachel. My face was cleaned, exfoliated and a masque was applied. The treatment also included a massage for my face, neck and shoulders, and left my skin looking clear and fresh. Babor, Clarins and Elemis facials are also available. Other treatments include Detox Floatation, £49.95 for 55 minutes, designed to rid the body of toxins; Clarins Self-tan, £49.95 for an all over natural looking tan; Crystal Clear Facial, £39.95, a 25 minute microdermabrasion treatment that can reduce the appearance of fine lines and imperfections; Thalassotherapy, £19.95, 25 minutes in the warm mineral pool using the hydrotherapy jets; and a 55-minute personalized make-up lesson, £35.95.
I had a refreshing walk around the lake (maps are available from the fitness reception) before sadly handing back my dressing gown to the staff and going back home, a lot healthier and shinier than 24 hours earlier.
Prices start at £179.95 per person for one night’s stay (11am to 4pm) in an economy room and include all meals, use of the facilities, a body massage and facial.
Champneys Forest Mere
Liphook, Hampshire GU30 7JQ
www.champneys.com
+44 8703 300 300
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