Hidden in the heart of the South Downs in Hampshire and just a one-hour train journey from central London, Champneys Forest Mere is a haven of wellness and nature. Set around a picturesque lake and surrounded by lush woodland, the iconic British spa offers guests a peaceful and scenic retreat to relax and switch off.
For the uninitiated, Champneys was founded in 1925; it is one of the oldest and most renowned spa groups in the UK. It was among the first to pioneer the concept of combining luxury with health and wellness, and its longstanding reputation and influence in the spa industry has made it a symbol of British spa culture.
First Impressions Count
Coming from London, I was delighted to arrive at Champneys Forest Mere via a gorgeous long and winding lakeside driveway, which led up to a beautiful old house. I immediately felt transported a world away from the stresses of city life and grateful to discover that the spa was set amongst 160 acres of charming woodland.
I was greeted at the reception by Steve who was very helpful, explaining the wide range of facilities on offer including therapeutic spa treatments, fitness classes, and wellness programs. He also told me that guests can enjoy amenities such as hydrotherapy pools, saunas, steam rooms, and a variety of beauty treatments, from massages to facials. Finally, he detailed the resorts healthy dining options with menus designed to complement the wellness experience.
Relax and Unwind at Champneys Forest Mere The spa treatment menu at Champneys Forest Mere is extensive and covers all needs. The treatment rooms are located above the indoor swimming pool and are all delicately scented, warm, and peacefully inviting. The spa therapists are brilliant; all of them are polite, friendly, highly-experienced, and excellent at their jobs.
If you are unsure where to begin, here are three 50-minute treatments which I experienced and also highly recommend:
Lava Shell Full Body Massage: This soothing and warm massage is perfect for the cooler winter months. The massage was performed using warm shells, which are designed to aid deep relaxation the muscles. My wonderful therapist was Emily, who was great at using the shells to lengthen and stretch out my muscles. She also gave me a pair of moisturising gloves to wear on my hands for the duration of the treatment and a warm eye mask to wear while I was lying on my back. The massage is perfect for the end of the day as it was so relaxing and I must admit, I did drift off a couple of times. Elemis Pro Glow Smooth Facial: This treatment was with Glen, who was very welcoming and delivered the most delightful facial. My face was gently exfoliated and massaged before being infused with hydration, which doubled its moisture content and left it feeling plump, yet firmer. Following the treatment, Glen prescribed me with a list of recommended products for my skin type. Champneys Body Radiance Massage: This invigorating treatment began with a full body scrub, followed by a shower, and finally a deep-tissue massage. Eden was my therapist and she was superb; I loved the back massage that she gave me, she worked through lots of knots and I felt so much looser and taller afterwards. My skin was also left incredibly soft and smooth thanks to the body scrub. Champneys Forest Mere’s Good Mood Food Champneys Forest Mere believes that good food is an important part of the spa experience and has various dining options from the casual buffet restaurant, to the more formal Mere restaurant and the relaxing lakeside Orangery café.
On the first evening, I ate at Mere restaurant, located in the older part of the house in a beautiful room. It is a slightly formal dining room so guests are encouraged to dress smart/casual. On arrival, I was greeted with a delicious glass of prosecco by William, who was very helpful and courteous, ensuring my dining experience went smoothly. The à la carte dinner menu offers three courses with many options and sides including dishes such as pan-seared scallops, citrus-cured Atlantic salmon, grilled fillet of beef, confit leg of duck, and Champneys vegan burger. My top tip for anyone going is to order the dark chocolate fondant with vanilla crème fraîche for dessert, it is absolutely scrumptious!
Both breakfast and lunch were both served as buffets in the spa restaurant, which is less formal with lots of people wearing their spa robes while eating. I liked the selection of healthy cold and warm dishes at both meal times, and really enjoyed the desserts in the lunch buffet.
Finally, I was excited to see that Champneys has its own cookbook, Champneys, The Cook Book, Food For Wellness
Rooms for a Good Night’s Rest Depending on your needs and budget, there are a range of spacious and comfortable suites, rooms, and even shepherd huts to choose from. I stayed in an elegant Luxe Room, which came with mini Elemis toiletries and opened out into the communal garden. Needless to say, I slept well and it felt good to open the garden doors in the morning and let the sunshine and fresh air in.
Final Thoughts With a tranquil atmosphere and nature-infused surroundings, Champneys Forest Mere is easy to travel to and provides both a well-rounded holistic experience and idyllic break away from everyday life.
Find your closest Champneys at champneys.com
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Born in Hong Kong and based in London, Sarah Highfield is a travel and wellness writer. Follow her travels on Instagram: @SarahHighfield
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