Crowwood’s New Woodland Spa – A Review

Feb 10

Crowwood’s New Woodland Spa – A Review

I was lucky enough to be invited to try out the new Woodland Spa at Crowwood Leisure in Burnley just after its completion.

The existing facilities at Crowwood are already superb, this is NOT one of those nameless/faceless chains of gyms that are all that seem to be around at the moment.

Crowwood is a privately owned, much loved leisure facility with a fabulous gym, tennis, squash and badminton courts, pool area and football pitches and training areas, it runs fitness classes and has a lovely cafe perfect for a lovely bite after a visit to the centre.

So when plans were first mentioned regarding the investment of £4 million to create a fabulous new adult only Spa, the town and Crowwood’s members positively buzzed about it. We went for a look around prior to Christmas as it was nearing completion and I was really blown away by what an incredible new addition it was to what is an already brilliant site.

So when we got word that the Spa was opened I booked straight in.

After being handed a locker key containing fluffy robe, towel and slippers I headed straight in to the new pool area

This is main hydrotherapy pool, the largest in Europe in fact, resplendent with built in seats, in a variety of positions where you can either sit in peace in still water, or a the touch of a button be gently pummelled by multiple jets. With so many different areas within the pool and alternate ways to use the jets its an absolute pleasure whether you are looking for a relaxing gentle experience or a strong rigourous massage. Tim loves to get battered by the jets whereas I prefer a more gentle pummeling, perfect. Around the pool are a combination of relaxing heated loungers and deep mattresses loungers to relax and enjoy your day, a place to drop your robes and towels as you wander between the different areas.

Surrounding the hydrotherapy pool, are a lovely selection of thermal experience rooms, including a dry high temperature sauna (why is it saunas make me want to visit Sweden.. just me then?) a saunarium which is a less intensely heated version of the sauna complete with a view over the surrounding countryside and outdoor infinity pool (yes they are just finishing off a heated outdoor pool!). There’s also a superb steam room to stimulate blood circulation and help you relax in a humid gentle atmosphere, and a salt and steam room which is great for upper respiratory issues and very relaxing.

To compliment the heat experience there is an ice fountain, which is superb for circulation when rubbed onto the skin after using the thermal rooms, invigorating and apparantly good for cellulite (rubs ice furiously into skin).

Around the pool are a selection of experience showers, each offering an alternate and sometime startling stimulation! I dare you to try the bucket of water one! If that doesn’t appeal then you can relax and enjoy a tropical rain shower instead.. completely lush!

On the other side of the main hydrotherapy pool are a set of Foot Baths which give your feet a fabulous reflexology massage targeting and stimulating pressure points, whilst you sit back and relax.

The last two rooms in the main pool area are Rasul rooms, offering either 2 or up to 4 people the opportunity to be doused in mineral mud and then relax in a steam room whilst the muds cleanse, exfoliate and nourish the skin before a gentle rain shower washes it away. Blissful!

As you wander through the next door, the room you will find is simply breathtaking

This is the serenity pool, low lit, high temperature, perfect for chilling, relaxing and wallowing – its simply awesome, surrounded by chill out loungers, a place of perfect peace – truly a haven.

But thats not all, Woodland is a full service Spa, resplendent with multiple treatment rooms, each relaxing, beautifully decorated and a real pleasure to use, the treatment beds alone are simply amazing. The range of treatments available is huge, with a selection that is perfect for all budgets. I got my eyebrows done – removing my ‘wild woman of Borneo’ look that I had been rocking since Christmas.

You can spend the whole day there, lounging and relaxing using the amazing facilities, but at the very least you will need a good couple of hours to properly indulge. Or you can book a spa day starting from £89 which includes lunch and treatments too.

Well after all that exertion….*cough* We headed up stairs to Bertrams Restaurant for simply superb food. Bertrams is truly impressive, a sumptuous restaurant interior with the panoramic views and delicious food, its spot on and all within the same area, best of all? its adults only so perfect for a spot of lunch during your day.

*sigh* so here is the good bit, as its brand new you can experience The Woodland Spa at a special rate, members can enjoy the experience for £19 each – but thats for limited time, for non members the spa experience is available for £39 – not bad for a full day of pampering and relaxation and probably the best gift you can get your loved one for Valentines day, imagine booking a romantic Rasul treatment for you both and then chilling out in the various thermal rooms – blissful. Even better if four of you want to dine at Bertrams you can get *whispers* free wine.

Blog readers can get a Rasul treatment for a HALF PRICE if you quote JCAABL0702 when booking – this offer ends 28th February 2013.

Form an orderly queue!

Now if you aren’t from Lancashire, well poor you, you don’t know what you are missing, if you are near enough say Yorkshire/Cheshire etc its well worth the drive – spa experiences like this are few and far between in fact I’ve travelled abroad to Spa’s that are nowhere near as nice as this and I am lucky enough thats its on my doorstep – so go on – get booked in… you know you want to!