Champneys Forest Mere – A Luxury Retreat in Nature
My friend was constantly raving about her Spa day at Champneys Forest Mere and after a lot of toing and froing in our friend’s WhatsApp group, we finally managed to book a day at this beautiful luxury Spa resort. We set off early on yet another grey and miserable Monday Summer morning with one mission: to relax!
Champneys Forest Mere is situated on the edge of the South Downs National Park, 7 minutes from Liphook. Even the drive there through the beautiful Sussex and Hampshire countryside saw my daily stresses ebb away and I was ready for a day of Spa’ing, eating healthy food and potentially getting on a bike for the first time in years!
Champneys Forest Mere Spa Resort
If it’s a respite from the daily hustle and bustle of everyday life you are looking for, then you can’t go wrong with Champneys Forest Mere. The resort is set in 160 acres of woodland, sweeping lawns and a huge lake, providing guests with breathtaking views and a serene atmosphere.
As my friend has been a few times before and was often emailed Spa day offers, we paid £99 each, giving us access to all the facilities from 9 am to 6 pm and a welcome breakfast and lunch. We arrived at 9.30 am and headed straight to the breakfast buffet!
Check-In
It was pretty straightforward, we arrived at reception and were handed a Champneys bag with a robe for the day (you are given a rental card which you need to hand back in at the end of the day with the robe, or you will be charged for it!), Champney flip flops that you can keep, some leaflets for discounted stays and a list of all the activities available.
Depending on what day you go, there is a really good schedule of free and paid activities you can do on the day. The free activities included a country hike, use of their bikes and aqua fit, so we signed up for all 3. Other activities include pilates, yoga, HIIT classes, hula-hooping and body stretch for a small fee.
There is also a large range of treatments to enjoy including a full body massage, facials, Aromatherapy Associate treatments and Indian Head Massage which can be booked at the treatment reception in the spa.
Breakfast Buffet
Once we had checked in, we were taken to the Spa restaurant to start our day with breakfast. Although there wasn’t a huge amount to choose from (and because we arrived towards the end of the breakfast session, a lot was running out), we had a choice of pastries, toast, fruit, yoghurt, smoothies and tea and coffee.
There is also the Lakeside Cafe where you can buy coffee, cakes, pastries, sandwiches and salads.
Champneys Forest Mere Spa Resort
Before heading to the Spa resort itself, we decided to take a bike ride around the grounds before the heavens opened. You can hire bikes for free from the Spa reception and cycle around the 160 acres including through the woods and around the lake.
After laughing ourselves around the lake and getting stuck in mud in the woods, we decided we’d had enough outdoor activities for the day and headed to the Spa.
Health Spa
This is where Champneys Forest Mere comes into its own! The spa facilities are world-class, boasting an impressive array of facilities such as the 25-metre swimming pool, an outdoor hydropool, a whirlpool, saunas, steam rooms, 8 separate lounging and relaxation rooms and heated water beds next to the pool. It also has rainfall showers and an ice room.
We spent a few hours swimming and relaxing on the water beds beside the pool, whilst dipping in and out of the sauna and outdoor hydropool. Even though the spa was busy, it was relatively easy to get a lounger and many people were sleeping in the numerous dedicated relaxation rooms. A sign of a great restful break!
Wellness Activities
Champneys Forest Mere takes a holistic approach to wellness, offering a diverse range of activities, some of which are included in the spa day package. We booked the body stretch initially but ended up cancelling it as we were enjoying relaxing by the pool and making the most of the facilities.
We did, however, take part in the Aqua Fit at 4 pm in the main pool! This is a free activity and was hugely popular, with weights provided. It is suitable for all ages, I kept bumping into a 75-year-old lady who told me she had been doing it for several years and it helped keep her fit and strong.
Lunch
At 2 pm, we headed back to the Spa restaurant in our fluffy robes for a buffet lunch. We dined on chickpea tagine, chicken breasts, feta cheese salads, desserts and artisan bread (although, again, as we had a late lunch, they ran out of bread!).
There is a drinks menu if you fancy a glass of champagne or a cocktail, but I went for a green tea and some mineral water. After lunch, we headed to the Lakeside Cafe to finish our drinks and read our books. They have a large veranda overlooking the lake, with sun loungers on the lawn, but as it was a drizzly day, we stayed indoors.
Outdoor Pool
Now, on a sunny day, I could imagine the outdoor pool would be extremely busy! It is in beautiful surroundings, worthy of an Italian villa, with a little bar and sun loungers provided and a 15-metre pool. The pool is heated, but as our day was wet and a little cold, we decided against a dip! I would love to go back there on a sunny day and make the most of it!
Staying at Champneys Forest Mere
We only spent a day at Champneys, but if it’s something longer you are looking for, the spa resort has 88 bedrooms and 4 Shepherd’s Huts overlooking the lake. Each room has a view of the gardens and lake, with some suites having little patio areas directly next to the outdoor pool.
Each room is meticulously decorated with soft, neutral tones and plush furnishings, creating a calming ambience that enhances the overall spa experience. The attention to detail is evident, from the high-quality linens and comfortable beds to the thoughtful touches like complimentary Champneys toiletries and cosy bathrobes.
🏨 >>> Book a stay at Champneys Forest Mere
We spent our last half hour at the spa in the on-site shop. The shop assistant was fantastic, showing us the best Champneys product deals and getting us discounts. After purchasing robes, Champneys products and some jewellery for my daughter, it was time to head home.
If you’re looking for spa days in Hampshire, you can’t go wrong with Champneys Forest Mere Spa Resort. The combination of luxurious accommodations, world-class spa facilities, and a serene natural setting creates an unparalleled retreat experience that leaves guests feeling refreshed and revitalized.
From the moment we arrived, we felt well looked after and relaxed after a day of swimming, hot tubbing and eating delicious food. It didn’t matter that it was raining outside, there were plenty of activities and facilities to keep us occupied. Although, I would love to go back on a warm sunny day and explore more of the grounds.
So why not treat yourself to a luxury retreat in nature and discover the magic of Champneys Forest Mere?
