Unwind In The Midlands: Spa at The Belfry

As I plunge my tired feet into the foot bath I can feel the tensions of the week start to melt away. And this is only the beginning…

I am in the new Fire and Ice experience at the Belfry Hotel spa in the Midlands and the foot ritual is the start of a wonderful journey into relaxation through your senses.

Navigating the motorways up to the hotel had meant that I was a little on edge by the time I arrived at the hotel however Head of Spa and Leisure Alex Messham was quick to welcome me, showing me around  and easing my jangled nerves so I could make the most of my time there.

Fire and Ice is a fabulous series of 12 thermal experiences to relax, invigorate and restore your mind and body. It is a divine assault on the senses warming and cooling the skin, opening those pores, invigorating with eucalyptus and mint, calming with rose and lavender. There are steam rooms, saunas, ice showers, tropical showers, aromatherapy rooms, relaxation room and ice rooms to explore.

While the layout is circular creating a gentle path to unwind, it is hard not to go back to favourite rooms or indeed just keep going around and around in circles. However my impending facial meant that I needed to tear myself away from it.

Padding upstairs in my gown and slippers I am met by serene colour palette of neutrals and blues to welcome me to the spa reception. I’m offered a refreshment and shown to the relaxation room to wait for my therapist to call me. Finding a gorgeous day bed hidden behind a fringed curtain, I lay back with a magazine and just chill out.

The spa specialises in ESPA treatments and since my skin is a bit dehydrated from the lovely summer weather, I knew their facial would help to restore moisture. I’m ask to choose between two scents for both cleansing and serum and then I lie back and am enveloped in the heated bed. I honestly can’t tell you that much about the facial – lotions were softly applied, neck and shoulders were massaged – as I drifted off to sleep. The results however were fabulous, I looked refreshed, glowing and plumped and actually wanted to avoid make-up which I felt would spoil my baby-fresh skin.

With all this unwinding I had built up an appetite so I headed for the spa’s Leisure Café, for a spot of afternoon tea. A traditional mix of classic sandwiches, scones with cream and jam and an assortment of petit fours was laid before me with a pot of fresh mint tea (no point undoing everything with caffeine – we just won’t mention the sugar!). The sandwiches were fresh and mini baguettes added a substantial twist. The scones were warm, crumbly and light and the mix of cakes, macarons and fruit tarts were fresh and delicious.

A light swim in the pool to work off some of those calories followed by a lie on the sun lounges by the edge of the pool reading a book was the perfect way to end a relaxing day.

One thing that was little strange is the hotel’s decision to run children’s public swimming lessons three times a week in the main pool of the spa. So if you are taking a leisurely swim or lazing by the pool you will have your peace shattered as kids, siblings and parents descend on the pool in their droves. These take place in the main pool Mondays and Thursdays between 4pm and 8pm and Fridays 10am to 12.30am so we suggest you avoid the spa at these times (or possibly theses days!) unless you want all that relaxation to be undone.

With expansive grounds and a sense immersing spa, The Belfry provides a welcome retreat in The Midlands.

The Belfry, Lichfield Road, Wishaw, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B76 9PR; Tel: 0844 234 7788 or +44 1675 470301