I always say there’s no such thing as too much spa time and I have had the pleasure and delight of trying out a couple this summer. With so much going on in and out of work at the moment, if the opportunity to enjoy some peace and tranquillity arises, I’ll be first in line to take it.
Set in the beautiful Welsh countryside and just a short 10 minute drive from Prestatyn beach is the gorgeous Marian Resort and Spa. Having been a holiday site since 1909, the new owners have converted it into the resort it is today, reopening in March 2024.
The resort is made up of cabins and lodges that are kitted out for couples and groups alike. Some of the lodges come with hot tubs for you and your pals to relax and enjoy in. They’re dog friendly too, and we were lucky enough to stay in one of their lodges where dogs were allowed.
Keep your eyes peeled for their peacock who likes to have a potter around and nosey in your lodge.
The welcome to Marian was warm and welcoming – we’re handed a map to find our lodge (the resort is huge) ready to explore everything, including the main building which is home to the restaurant, cocktail bar, sports bar, gym, pool and spa.
ADVERTISEMENT
There are plenty of locals visiting Marian while we are there which gives the resort a community feel.
Our lodge has a modern design with brand new amenities, and feels fresh and light – perfect for us to kick back with a bottle of fizz and some beautiful balms from their spa.
ADVERTISEMENT
After a quick change, it’s straight across to the Marian Resort & Spa cocktail bar which is like stepping into the Great Gatsby movie. They have their Thirsty Thursday deal on (2-4-1 cocktails) even though it’s Saturday and we indulged in the bar’s recommendations. We drink them on the balcony outside and enjoy the stunning view.
Dinner in The View restaurant was fantastic. Like. Fantastic. Everything was delicious.
Heirloom tomato and mozzarella bruschettaAsian crispy beef saladFish cassouletGIANT sticky toffee puddingDinner at the Marian Resort & Spa. Credit: The Manc Group
The ingredients were so fresh – we didn’t want the meal to end. We opted for the heirloom tomato and mozzarella bruschetta and the Asian crispy beef salad, as well as the butternut squash pappardelle and the special fish cassoulet.
ADVERTISEMENT
For dessert, we had the BIGGEST piece of sticky toffee pudding I have ever seen. The name of the restaurant The View, is apt as the view is stunning.
As darkness descends and the sun disappears, it becomes moody outside, making the whole restaurant become atmospheric.
There is a sports bar on the ground floor of Marian which was popular with the locals. It is clear that this is a destination for the whole community as well as for visitors to the area.
Views at the Marian Resort & Spa. Credit: The Manc GroupThe resident peacock at the Marian Resort & Spa. Credit: The Manc GroupThe entrance to the spa at the Marian Resort & Spa. Credit: The Manc Group
We had a buffet style breakfast the next day which was of very good quality. We arrived at 9.30 and it was hectic, so I recommend getting there early if you can. All the food was of top quality again and they had Quorn sausages which is always a plus as a vegetarian.
The spa is located in a small outbuilding next to the main building which has been carefully curated to create a relaxing environment.
ADVERTISEMENT
There are reclining beds to relax on before or after your treatment with a clear view of the surrounding area.
My massage was one of the best I have ever had. The pressure was perfect and all tension simply melted away. After a chill in the relaxation room we went for a swim in the pool and baked ourselves in the sauna.
Although there is still evidence that Marian Respost & Spa is still fairly fresh, it is a great place to take your friends and family, and the sea is just 10 minutes away. For more information or to book your stay, check it out here.
The hillside farm in the Peak District making its own ice cream
Daisy Jackson
Did you know there’s a 300-year-old farm in the Peak District serving up some of the freshest ice cream you’ll ever taste? And yes, you can meet the cows that made it while you’re there.
Welcome to Hope Valley Ice Cream, a family-run gem where things are kept refreshingly simple: happy cows, proper farming, and seriously good ice cream.
Set in the heart of the Peak District countryside, this place is about as wholesome as it gets.
The ice cream is made on-site in the farmhouse, literally just metres from where the dairy herd are out grazing.
You can watch the animals, wander around the farm, and then tuck into a scoop or three perched on a milk pail stool, or a picnic bench (or even a decorative tractor).
Hope Valley Ice Cream has some amazing seasonal ice creams, like lemon curd, elderflower, and blackberry, alongside all the classics and a rather delicious tiramisu.
You can grab a cone, sit down with a coffee (again, made with milk from the nearby cows), or go all in with a freshly-made waffle if you’re feeling fancy.
Takeaway tubs from Hope Valley Ice CreamYou can get a mini pail of ice creamMeet the newborn calves at Hope Valley Ice CreamTuck into your ice cream on a milk pail stoolHope Valley Ice Cream
And if you’re the type who really loves ice cream? You can actually order a full pail of it, with four huge scoops plus whipped cream and sauce.
The farm itself is run by the Marsden family, who’ve been working this land for generations. It shows in everything – they’ve created a place that feels genuinely welcoming, not just another tourist stop.
Beyond the ice cream, you’ve got plenty of reasons to stick around. There are calves (including the newest tiny arrivals), plus donkeys and pigs to say hello to.
Whether you’re heading out on a hike or just fancy a drive into the Peaks, this is one pitstop that’s absolutely worth it – and honestly, it’s worth the trip on its own.
Unspoiled Lancashire village with no aerials or road signs named one of the best places to visit this spring
Daisy Jackson
A village in Lancashire has been named one of the best places to visit in the UK this spring – and it’s not hard to see why.
The picturesque little village of Downham has been owned by the same family for centuries, and has no road signs, no aerials, no overhead phone lines. It really is totally unspoiled.
The Assheton family, who reside at Downham Hall, has ensure the village and surrounding farms remain as a preserved, unspoilt community.
And that’s caught plenty of attention over the years, with the village used as a setting for TV and films over the years thanks to its historic charm.
After you’re done wandering, you can grab a scoop of local ice cream, or a pint in the 18th century Assheton Arms gastropub nearby.
The village has just been named one of the top places to visit in the UK this spring in a new guide released by LNER.
They said Downham feels like ‘a step away from the everyday’.
The listing says: “If you’re looking for somewhere that feels a step away from the everyday, Downham is a good place to start.
“Family-owned for generations, the village has kept things simple, no road signs, no aerials, just open views and a quiet sense of history.
“Set within the Forest of Bowland, it’s easy to see why it’s been used as a backdrop for films and TV over the years, including Whistle Down the Wind and The Secret of Crickley Hall.
“Grab a scoop of local Lancashire ice cream from the village shop and head to the banks of Downham Brook, a perfect spot to sit and listen to the water as the village wakes up for spring.
“Finish your trip at the award-winning Assheton Arms; this 18th-century gastropub sits at the highest point of the village, serving up seasonal plates alongside tranquil countryside vistas that make the modern world feel miles away.”
David Flesher, Commercial Director atLNER, said: “At this time of year, many people are looking for a chance to make the most of longer days and see more of the country as it’s changing with the season.
“Across the UK, some of the best scenery sits beyond the larger towns and cities, in villages that offer a different pace and new experiences. Travelling by rail is one of the best ways to reach these places and enjoy the journey along the way.
“This research highlights destinations that showcase the variety of landscapes across the country, encouraging people to step outside their usual routine and see more of what’s on their doorstep, and further afield.”
Kristen MacGregor-Houlston -
6th September 2024 
