The secluded Hanbury countryside is the perfect location for a brand-new day spa offering a selection of health and beauty treatments.

Chessgrove Day Spa combines a traditional customer-friendly ethos with some of the very latest developments in spa luxury, to provide a truly relaxing experience.

Owner Eve Toole, who has worked as a therapist for nine years, got the opportunity to set up her own company when her partner Ian Few, a local farmer who also runs a wedding marquee hire firm, decided to diversify and convert some of the GO Few & Sons farm buildings to be used by other businesses.

"We chose the name 'Chessgrove' because it continues the Few family's farming traditions - it was the name of the Gloucestershire farm belonging to Ian's father Gordon before they moved to Ditchford Bank Farm here in Worcestershire," Eve explains. "He named the herd at Ditchford Bank the 'Chessgrove Herd', and we've used the name as a way of recognising that without the farm, I would not have been given this opportunity."

The site also houses a children's day nursery, which opened in May this year, and a swimming pool linked to the spa building. It will be used by spa members and guests for four hours in the morning and four hours in the evening, and by local families and for children's swimming lessons during the day.

"It's a great location for a nursery as well as a spa, because it's so quiet and safe," says Eve. "There was a definite need for a swimming pool in the area, and it really links the other two businesses together. The pool is unique in that it is heated to 32 C rather than the normal 29 C. This way, parents, babies and children are less likely to get cold."

The spa itself offers all the treatments you'd expect - aromatherapy, massage, facials, body wraps, manicure and pedicure - as well as a few more unusual ideas. In one of the six therapy rooms clients can experience a 'dry float', in which they will feel completely weightless. The warm and relaxing treatment is especially beneficial for back problems, and a 20-minute session is said to be the equivalent of four hours' sleep.

There's also an ice fountain, which features a giant stone bowl full of crushed ice. "You can add scent to the ice and take a handful into the sauna to put on the coals, or rub it over your body to cool down - much nicer than jumping into a cold plunge pool," Eve explains. "It's also great for hen parties because you can put bottles of champagne in the ice!"

Chessgrove also features indoor and outdoor spa pools, a sauna and steam room, while each treatment room has a private shower. A special VIP room allows two friends, partners or family members to enjoy their treatments together, in line with the spa's friendly atmosphere.

Clients can continue their spa experience in Chessgrove's restaurant: "It's not just lettuce leaves!" Eve promises. "There will definitely be cake..."

Gift vouchers for various treatments are available, along with special packs of the aromatherapy and skincare products used at Chessgrove - ideal for Christmas presents!

Chessgrove Day Spa, Ditchford Bank Road, Hanbury, Bromsgrove

01527 821900

www.chessgrove.co.uk

Competition:

Five lucky readers will be able to try out Chessgrove Day Spa for themselves in our competition - each will win a Chessgrove Twilight Escape package featuring a 50-minute

facial, a back massage, a light supper and use of the spa's facilities. To enter, simply answer the following question:

Where does the name 'Chessgrove' originate?

Send your answer, along with your name, address and telephone number, to Chessgrove Competition, Limited

Edition, 5 High Street, Bromsgrove, B61 8AJ, by January 2.