With the evening drawing to a close, there was just time to check out some of the facilities I'd missed earlier before relinquishing my robe and towels to head back to reality – thoroughly relaxed, slightly less wrinkled and already planning my next visit to this little slice of paradise ...

Having left the car park and rejoined the A46, I once again drove past the incredible façade of Eden Hall Day Spa, safe in the knowledge that yes, it is as amazing as it looks. In fact, it's even better than you could imagine. ...