Treating Mum at Champneys Forest Mere

Long has the name Champneys been synonymous with luxurious relaxation, so when it came to spoiling my Mum for Mother’s Day a bespoke break at the brand’s Forest Mere resort sounded perfect.

Tucked away behind a golf course just a few miles from the Hampshire hub of Midhurst, Champneys Forest Mere offers spa days and short breaks tailored to any specific need, from nutritional education to out-and-out pampering.

The Mother’s Day package offered an overnight stay for two with the inclusion of a Body Wrap treatment each and a manicure for Mum.

Check in is from 3pm but we’d advise arriving slightly later as it was pretty chaotic, and not the relaxing start we had hped for. However, you don’t have to check out until 4 o’clock the following day, so once you’re in and have settled in your room you’ve got a full 24 hours to relax and unwind in a sanctuary of serene enjoyment.

Forest Mere offers a wealth of activities during your stay, from aforementioned nutritionist talks and beauty tutorials, to Pilates and aquafit classes. We enjoyed them all and were impressed with the accessibility of everything on offer. Classes are clearly marked as to how strenuous they are, and trainers take care to enquire about medical conditions that may restrict your ability to join in. There’s also a decent sized gym with running and rowing machines, cross trainers, and a variety of weight workouts.

But if exercise is the last thing on your mind you’ve nothing to worry about, with a huge pool, several hot tubs (indoor and out) as well as a spa circuit and hydrotherapy pool, relaxation is the name of the game here. The facilities are impressive, if a little tired, and the water beds and plentiful loungers enable anyone to lie back and really let go in the peaceful surroundings.

The package included the body wraps for us both, a manicure for Mum, one night in a standard twin room, three course dinner in the Mansion House restaurant, and breakfast and lunch in the bright and airy main dining space. Pretty good value for £350.

Dinner offers a variety of healthy and indulgent options, with ingredients clearly labelled as well as advice on dishes lighter in calories. There’s a decent wine selection too, and puddings include an indulgent vegan chocolate cake so it’s not all about health kicks and watching what you eat!

Breakfast is a light buffet but there’s the option to order cooked dishes such as eggs Florentine or Benedict, if you manage to grab a member of staff. Sadly we didn’t so we settled for bagels and bowls of fruit.

Lunch is a choice of options from a set meal. All staff are clued up on allergens which is reassuring, and they’re happy to ask behind the scenes if you query a specific dish’s makeup.

Champneys offers the ultimate opportunity to get away from it all and enjoy some oh-so-precious Mum and me time, something severely lacking amongst the hubbub of every day life. By booking our break we not only set aside time for some serious pampering, but we gave ourselves dedicated time together with nothing to distract us but the choice of where to relax next.

• Belle About Town were guests of Champneys Forest Mere. All opinions and descriptions are our own.
• For more information on Mum & Me packages and other Champneys breaks, see www.champneys.com.