Break away

AS you head north from Pickering or Kirkbymoorside, the landscape changes. The gentle undulations give way to sweeping hillsides topped with purple heather and the world becomes a very different place. About a mile-and-half past Rosedale Abbey, forking left off the Castleton road, you come to The Orange Tree.

It sounds almost mystical. You half expect to find a grove of orange trees growing in the midst of the wild - the sort of place that would inspire pilgrimage, perhaps.

The Orange Tree is, however, a guest house. But a guest house with a difference, because it also manages to take on the aura of a retreat from the world. The Orange Tree is the ultimate stress-buster, aimed at having such an effect on its guests that they leave as different people.

The promotional brochures describe it as a place "where relaxation comes naturally." You're a world away from traffic jams, bleeping mobile phones and your crotchety boss. The idea is for guests to develop such a feeling of inner calm it's almost possible to forget that the 'realities' of modern life even exist.

This oasis of calm is owned and run by Jan and Rob Davies, who took over the property, which was a simple bed and breakfast establishment, in March this year and are still in the process of creating their peaceful paradise. It is devoted to serenity, with the visitor able to enjoy a massage, aromatherapy, 'visualisation' with the help of the scent of burning essential oils, gentle exercise, poetry or lines from the Dalai Lama, as well as home-cooked food and fine wines.

A sauna is soon to be built and the seven bedrooms are to take on individual themes, including Indian, African, 'float like a butterfly' and 'spaced-out'.

Some would unfairly pigeon-hole The Orange Tree as 'new age', but Jan Davies could not be more down-to-earth. She became interested in holistic therapy when living in Hong Kong - where her first husband Tim was a lawyer - more than 20 years ago.

"I had all these herbalists and all these therapies literally on my doorstep," she says.

She lived in Hong Kong for six years, and while there trained in acupressure, and in Chinese and Japanese massage, at the Hong Kong School of Holistic Therapies.

On returning to the UK she trained further - as a keep-fit instructor and in aromatherapy and massage. Most recently, she learned a relaxation breathing technique that works wonders, she says, for stressed-out victims of modern, high pressure life.

For 15 years Jan ran relaxation classes for women in Leeds - but it was always a dream to create a hideaway from the world devoted to her art.

Walking into The Orange Tree dining room, you get an idea of what the place is all about. You are immediately struck by the subtle scent of, well, oranges - a sensation caused by the burning of citric oils. Orange trees and oranges are depicted on the walls, the tablecloths, the napkins. On a windowsill is a framed piece of writing headed 'Learning', extolling the virtues of self-worth. Out of the window is a spectacular view of a lonely hillside.

Jan is one de-stressed lady, with a real air of happiness and satisfaction and an infectious laugh. She admits, however, that she does have to say "physician, heal thyself" on occasions.

Unsurprisingly, she is not a fan of the dog-eat-dog world in which we live.

"It is such a shame. The whole world has changed over the past 30 years. Management may be good at hitting targets, doing cash-flow levels, but they are rubbish at recognising stress in staff and quite often they don't want to know.

"The image in Great Britain is that you are a bit of a wuss if you cannot keep up with it all. It's come from America, but in America now it's all about chilling out. They have reverted and I suppose we will one day."

The Orange Tree is the perfect antidote.

Visitors lucky enough to take part in one of Jan's weekend relaxation workshops are guaranteed to be able to put the cares of the world aside for a few hours at least - and hopefully should learn some useful relaxation techniques to take away with them too.

On arrival on a Friday evening, you'll be treated to a buffet evening meal - and, because The Orange Tree is licensed, there is wine available too. That's an essential part of the relaxation process, laughs Jan.

Next morning, you'll be offered a gentle keep fit session, a morning relaxation session, lunch, and an afternoon aromatherapy back massage (there is an extra charge for this). There's a three-course evening meal, and then an evening relaxation and visualisation session with burning oils to ensure a good night's sleep.

The next morning you can loaf around at your pleasure, and in the afternoon there will be a demonstration of a back massage, followed by gentle exercise and some stimulating oils to prepare you for your journey home.

For those in search of something more bracing, Jan's husband Rob, managing director of a graphic design company, runs walking weekends too, leading guests on walks into the moors - or at least he will do, once foot and mouth restrictions are removed. He also does the marketing and the cooking.

Jan's reasons for naming her guest house The Orange Tree really sum up the place. She remembers, during her time spent in the Far East, massaging an Indian woman in a grove of orange trees. The orange symbolised it all. Warmth, sunshine and the ability to uplift the spirit.

The beautiful, isolated surroundings of the moors also play a vital part in helping guests leave behind the cares and worries of everyday life, Jan admits.

"It's so lovely up here," she says. "I could actually make a relaxation tape from the sounds outside. Last night, we heard peacocks, curlews, sheep, cows. It always had to be remote. It just goes with relaxation. I couldn't have run this in the hustle and bustle of Leeds."

u You can book in or find out more about The Orange Tree by ringing 01751 417219 or on the website www.theorangetree.com or by emailing relax@theorangetree.com. It specialises in tailor-made relaxation breaks, corporate stress-busters and walking weekends. Preview weekend workshops are being run throughout May and June at £97 per person. B&B rates are available on request.