From the spa to delicious food Thyme is a botanical ‘village within a village’. Healthista visits for a relaxing Cotswolds staycation ideal for those January blues
Check out Thyme’s winter wellness initiative, ‘Healthful Stay’ – Running his January; receive a complimentary 30 minute treatment at their incredible state of the art spa when you book a two night stay.
Nothing beats the January blues better than a staycation spa get-away – and Healthista are always ahead of the game when it comes to selecting the finest wellness retreats around the UK and abroad.
We have discovered a true hidden gem, the one way to describe Thyme, is a place of magic and luxury.
this Restored Historic Manor & Farm is a place where you can escape
Situated within a breathtakingly beautiful part of the Cotswolds, this Restored Historic Manor & Farm is a place where you can escape, recharge and walk into the new year with serenity and style.
The renovated estate dates back to 1086 and is comprised of 31 botanically inspired bedrooms, dispersed across its houses and cottages, the Ox Barn restaurant, the Baa Bar, the Swan pub, Cookery School, Meadow Spa and some amazing boutiques, including event and exhibition space.
Thyme is a family-owned (and run) business, some of whom we had the privilege of meeting; the power duo mother and daughter team, who were just as beautiful, soulful and amazing as the place itself. True ladies of class and grace who strive to make every stay the best it can be.
‘We took time to make Thyme,’ says Caryn Hibber, Founder and Creative Director.
‘Working with the historic buildings and the land that surrounds them, we have created a thoughtful place with love of love and attention lavished on every detail.’
The decadence of the place is immaculate, like a prestigious antique filled country boutique of a home, and the grounds create a peaceful environment with gravel pathways and gorgeous garden landscapes.
Pure picturesque country chic bliss!
The attention to detail and the amount of love and artistry that gone into every room and shared spaces is just spectacular and done with exquisite taste. Pure picturesque Cotswolds country chic bliss!
Healthista Editor Olivia and myself had a tour of the premises upon our arrival, amazed by the size and the variety of the facilities within.
We were shown to our rooms and then headed down to the bar for a glass of red wine, before our Spa Treatment to get us into that relaxation mode.
The Meadow Spa Experience
The spa is located within the Orchid House, a beautifully tranquil space, that makes you feel at peace instantaneously.
The botanical spa is an ideal place for deep relaxation, that is designed for mindfulness and meditation. There is also an outside spring water swimming pool and a hot tub.
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The Botanical Bothy Signature Ritual: Breath, Scent, Nature
We booked our selves in for Thyme’s signature Botanical Bothy treatment – that combines philosophy and science. The journey is a combination of simple, guided breath-work and treatment techniques to encourage tension release and deep relaxation, led by a therapist.
‘Breathing is a skill for life,’ says Hibbert.
‘Helping us to combat the stress and anxiety we face in our everyday lives, and helps counteract the profound detrimental effects of stress on our health and wellbeing’.
The treatment space looked like something from the future. It is a concept space of minimalist, holistic zen – the only way to describe its seamless architecture.
It is a concept space of minimalist, holistic zen
The treatment begins with a therapeutic foot bath. Then you are placed on this warm ergonomic resin bed for the rest of your treatment and for the breathing ritual.
The therapist used a mixture of beautiful massage techniques, lymphatic body brushing, gentle touch, softly spoken words, breathing and pressure point techniques to enable you to harness the combined power of breath, scent and nature, to help stimulate the body’s innate ability to heal itself.
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This treatment is scientifically proven to tap into the vagus nerve and switch off our body’s stress response via the autonomic nervous system.
The treatment was complete with a hair wash and head massage, sending you into a deeper state of calm and relaxation.
The treatment room overlooks a private veranda and idyllic natural garden, where outdoor baths await you following your treatment. There is also a cosy fireplace right, so you can relax and be at one with all the natural elements.
The treatment was complete with a hair wash and head massage
Following the treatment we felt a full send of calm within body and mind. Tension is released and your channels rebalanced. It was an incredible experience, that felt like an ancient ritual cleanse.
We then went back to our rooms to have a little rest and get ready for our fine dining experience.
The Bothy Spa Treatment: SOLO £225/PP – COUPLES – £195/PP
Botanical Dining Experience
Their main restaurant is the Ox Barn, a large beautifully converted barn, with its centre point bar, a sofa seating and fire place area for your aperitifs as well as a beautiful dining space with open style tables and more intimate corners.
The carefully curated menu is rooted in passion, full of carefully selected mouth watering seasonal dishes and local Cotswolds ingredients.
Under the direction of head chef and family member Charlie Hibbert and gardeners at Thyme, who work together to select and grow the fruits, vegetables and herbs used to creating their delicious British country side flair.
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The food was truly sensational starting with their homemade cordials, shrubs and botanical infusion cocktails, which may I add you can also enjoy at their stunning and very opulent ‘Baa’ (the bar room), another elegant space to experience, whether you are having your mid-afternoon coffee and a paper read or an aperitif before your evening meal.
I can’t describe how fresh and sensational the flavours
Now, back to the Ox Barn. Following our cocktails by the fire place we were seated at our table, cosy, spacious and candle lit. The menu was boasting with choice.
We enjoy a three course meal, along with some Japanese dessert wine to finish off. I can’t describe how fresh and sensational the flavours were, the fish, the vegetables, the meats, the sources all made to perfection, artisan yet very wholesome.
After a very comfortable nights sleep and woke up to a stunning breakfast full of health and vitality on our plates. The choices were incredible and any dietary requirements were so easily accommodated.
Overall our stay was more than we expected and it’s not until you visit Thyme, that you realise everything that it has to offer.
escape from the hustle and grind of your daily lives
Whether you are going with your friends, partner or family, this is the perfect place of relaxation and beauty for you to escape from the hustle and grind of your daily lives and enjoy an all round experience in the Cotswolds, full of sensory pleasures for the mind, body and soul.
Cosy Cotswolds-style rooms starting at £360 per room per night midweek and £380 per room per night weekends.
For booking, further information and the exclusive Thyme shopping experience, which includes their own organic luxury beauty line visit: www.thyme.co.uk
Check out Thyme’s winter wellness initiative, ‘Healthful Stay’ – Running his January; receive a complimentary 30 minute treatment at their incredible state of the art spa when you book a two night stay.
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