Seeking a spa that is far from the madding crowd? Then look no further than the award-winning Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Restaurant & Spa. Located in the pretty village of Evershot ('Evershead' in Thomas Hardy’s fictional Wessex), it recently won Best Small Hotel of the Year in the Dorset Tourism Awards. It's a wonderful place to relax and recharge your batteries and offers a wide range of treatments.

The spa is set in a beautiful rose garden. And when we visited in late September, it was warm enough to sit outside on sun loungers, listen to bird song and breathe in the scene of the roses. Inside a large glass conservatory is the heated pool, big enough to do leisurely lengths, and a satisfyingly deep Jacuzzi whose strong jets of bubbles quickly eased away any lingering aches and pains. There’s a small sauna, and studio gym with cross-trainer, treadmill, rowing machine, exercise bike and free weights if you want a workout; there’s also an outdoor tennis court. Our visit, however, was of the ‘chill out’ variety and started with a 45-minute facial. Introduced to our respective therapists, Stu and I were invited into separate treatment rooms - softly lit, with gentle music and wonderful herbal aromas.

The two brands that Summer Lodge Spa offer are global British skincare experts Elemis, which have their foundations in aromatherapy, and Cornish-based Made For Life Organics. My skin is sensitive, prone to redness and tends to be dry, so the Elemis Superfood Organic Facial was recommended - ideal for women or men. Packed with more potentially beauty enhancing fruit and veg than an organic veg box – ingredients include kale, broccoli and wheatgrass alongside pumpkin seeds extract and avocado. Or to quote the science bit ‘balancing Prebiotics, fermented plant actives and vitamin-rich Superfoods’.

The facial started with a double cleanse, followed by a gentle facial massage and exfoliation. Who knew brassicas could smell this good! A Superfood Vital Veggie Mask was then applied – a smoothie-inspired moisturising mask of wheatgrass, kale, nettle, avocado and chia seed oils which promised to nourish and hydrate my tired skin. Whilst this worked its magic, my therapist gave me a near sleep-inducing hand and shoulder massage.

Once the mask was gently removed with hot towels, the facial concluded with Superfood Facial Oil, eye cream and a Superfood Day Cream, the latter combining broccoli and goji berry with antioxidant matcha tea and ginger. My skin looked plumper and, dare I say it, radiant. I was impressed. Meanwhile in the treatment room next door, Stu was having the chap’s equivalent of my facial. This was his first ever facial experience, and he loved it. Most spas have beauty treatments for men. Summer Lodge Spa also offers a Junior Facial for younger visitors.

After we emerged blinking into the daylight from our softly lit cocoons of bliss, we spent the next hour alternating gentle swimming with the Jacuzzi, returning to our indoor loungers to browse a selection of healthy snacks – fruit and freshly baked mini muffins, water and juices.

Treatments here include restorative facials for men and women, head and full body massages (including a pregnancy one – perfect for a baby shower gift or party), manicures and pedicures using the dazzling CND range, as well as holistic treatments such as reiki, reflexology and Hopi ear candling.

I would strongly recommend folding in a dining experience so you can sample the excellent food this establishment is famous for. Follow through with a leisurely three-course bespoke spa lunch, splurge on one of their amazing full afternoon teas, or book their Twilight Spa Package, ideal for small groups, which includes a glass of bubbles.

Spa packages start from £79 per person. More at summerlodgehotel.co.uk/wellness-and-spa