A ROLLING mist was hugging the Somerset Levels beneath a crisp autumn sun as I opened the curtains and stepped out on to my balcony.
We had arrived in the dark the night before, to a welcome reception of hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows by a roaring fire pit at the Windmill Retreat Spa & Estate in Bridgwater.
We had been impressed by the state-of-the-art outdoor hot tub, cold plunge and private barrel sauna in the newly-built Avanto Spa Garden, for the exclusive use of six new Elements suites.
But waking up to these views – and catching a glimpse of the larger spa below – we knew we were somewhere extra special.
Rested from a good night’s sleep in the Thyme suite – with its king-size bed, and lounge with complimentary handcrafted gin infused with herbs from the garden – we headed down to the Levels Country Kitchen.
Guests can choose from a continental breakfast on their balcony, or a hot breakfast and coffee in the Kitchen.
It was followed by a morning of yoga and meditation in the Wellness Dome, which has been built at the top of the site, with views over the local villages.
Suitably relaxed, we went for a stroll around the estate, picking up a hand-made necklace from the shop before returning to the cafe – where guests get ten per cent off.
There we had lunch of French onion soup and hot honey goat’s cheese and walnut salad.
The extensive seasonal menu includes a selection of sandwiches, salads and quiches as well as an all-day brunch and burgers.
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As the afternoon rolled in, it was time to experience the main Windmill spa, where sessions start from £35 per person.
It is open to just 12 people at a time, so it never feels overcrowded.
We started in the main hydrotherapy infinity pool overlooking another beautiful garden, before venturing outside to the hot tub with a glass of ice-cold prosecco.
A steam and sauna followed, then we reclined on the warm stone beds with an iced towel to cool off, before treating ourselves to an express facial (from £43) in one of the five treatment rooms.
Back in our suite we helped ourselves to pick ’n’ mix from the pantry, alongside a herbal tea and a slice of home-made Victoria sponge cake – baked freshly each day – before heading back out to the Avanto Spa Garden for sunset by the fire pit with another round of marshmallows and lashings of hot chocolate.
Hearty breakfast
After washing off the day under the rainforest shower and using the spa’s home-made toiletries, it only felt right to get into our robes to enjoy a delicious charcuterie board – delivered to our suite – and a bottle of red wine in bed with Strictly on the TV.
For those wanting something more substantial, the highly-recommended George Inn is just a 15-minute walk away, or you can order in a pizza from the local takeaway.
Lights out by 10pm, we opened the skylight above our bed to look at the stars before drifting off for another sensational night’s sleep.
The next morning, after another hearty breakfast – this time a sausage sandwich – we handed back our suite keys with heavy (but relaxed) hearts, before making use of the spa garden for one final time and packing up a lump of cake for the road.
- From £197.50 per person based on two sharing.