Checking in for a luxury spa break at Ragdale Hall

I’m taking part in an aqua attack class led by enthusiastic instructor James, who seems to be enjoying his poolside danceathon as much as everyone in the water.

It is my second day at Ragdale Hall, the spa get-away two hours south of York is Leicestershire – and my second aqua class.

My friend Kildip and myself took part in aqua tone the previous afternoon, fitting it in before the candlelight stretch class we’d booked into at teatime.

So, yes, it’s been a bit non-stop ever since we arrived at Ragdale, when our intention was to come away and do nothing. That is, of course, perfectly possible – and we saw plenty of evidence during our stay of people doing exactly that. On chairs and sofas throughout the sprawling hall, people – mostly women – are lounging in white towelling robes. Some are curled up like infants, sleeping as if they don’t have a care in the world. And that’s the beauty of a place like Ragdale. It invites you to take everything at your own pace.

So if you are an ants-in-your-pants type and find it hard to sit still for a moment, there’s a packed programme to keep you occupied, from fitness workouts and water aerobics to group country walks and evening talks. There are two outdoor tennis courts as well, if racquets are your passion.

Alternatively, you can do as little as possible and spend your time there recharging your batteries by the poolside, or dipping in and out of the thermal spa and the heated outdoor pool, which has lots of soothing jacuzzi jets to pummel your back, neck and shoulders.

No visit would be complete without a treatment. There are 50 treatment rooms and over 100 therapists. We each had a back massage and facial featuring luxurious Decleor products. My therapist Jess B (“there’s a few Jesses here,” she explained), was super and inflicted some deep tissue massage on my knotted shoulders and neck, before lathering my face with hydrating oils that left the skin feeling nourished and healthy.

The food at Ragdale could not be faulted. Breakfast is served in your room (you tick what you want from the menu the day before). We had smoothies and Atholl Brose (oats with yoghurt, raspberries and honey) and a cheese and ham toastie for me, and salmon, cream cheese and rye bread for Kildip.

Lunch and dinner are three-course affairs, with all dishes marked by windows as a calorie guide (one window is good, three a bit more sinful). At lunchtime, a buffet is served with a choice of more than ten salads and an array of cold meats and fish as well as a selection of four or five hot dishes. On the first day, we had bonito – a meaty fish somewhere between tuna and mackerel which was tasty and came with a mango salsa. We had fish again in the evening – a delicious piece of haddock with a lemon sauce and potatoes and greens. But the highlight for me were the desserts, especially the chef’s mousse. I still can’t decide whether the chocolate orange mousse or the peanut butter one was the best.

If anything, our one-night visit was too brief. It sounds crazy to think that we didn’t have enough time to unwind, but we simply were tempted by all the great things to do at Ragdale. Most visitors stay for at least two or three nights – some for up to a week. And after our 24-hour visit, we can understand why. What we didn’t find time to do was curl up on a day bed or by the poolside with a book or magazine, or fall asleep in the retreat room for a few hours in the afternoon. There are many places, both inside and out the hall, where you can relax in a lounger and just catch your breath (or catch up on the latest novel).

We loved the informality of the place, where people feel perfectly happy coming down to dinner in their white robes, unhurried and unfussed about the palaver of dressing for dinner.

Of course, you are perfectly welcome to dress for the occasion too, as we did.

Come summer, people will have even more reason to visit. A roof-top infinity pool should be open by then, affording great views over the striking country setting.

One more reason why a return visit is on the cards.

Fact file

Ragdale Hall, Ragdale Village, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE14 3PB Telephone: 01664 434831 Website: ragdalehall.co.uk

Details: The Overnight Reviver Break enjoyed by Maxine and Kidlip is offered depending on availability. Most guests book for two nights or more, with arrival from 2pm. There are also 13 day packages to choose from. The best deals are available on the Ragdale Hall app.

Guests need to be over 16 years of age and the discount does not apply to specialist fitness breaks.