Gravel hums beneath your tyres as you follow the gentle curves of the drive, the outside world receding with every curve. Ancient oaks stand like quiet sentinels. Then, as the path widens and the gardens unfold, Down Hall comes into view, an imposing Italianate mansion rising from 110 acres of rolling estate on the Essex and Hertfordshire border. It is the sort of arrival that steadies the breath.
Located in Hatfield Heath, near Bishop’s Stortford, and just 45 minutes from central London, Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate is one of England’s most established country house hotels. With origins tracing back to the 11th century, the estate carries the quiet confidence of history. Inside, ornate ceilings, generous windows and refined interiors balance grandeur with warmth. Natural daylight spills across polished floors and heritage detailing, creating an atmosphere that feels both stately and inviting.
Now, the estate’s wellness story has deepened with the launch of The Barn Spa, a nature-inspired sanctuary set within the landscaped gardens.
Complementing the hotel’s award-winning Eden Spa, The Barn Spa introduces a more intimate, garden-connected experience. Designed as a tranquil retreat, it features five treatment rooms, including a couples’ suite and a relaxation terrace overlooking greenery that shifts gently with the seasons.
An exclusive partnership with British wellness brand Bramley shapes the spa’s ethos. Treatments are delivered solely using Bramley’s sustainable, plant-based formulations, products crafted with botanical ingredients that echo the estate itself. Step outside and you’ll find the kitchen garden, where many of the plants and florals mirrored in Bramley’s blends are grown. The connection between treatment and terrain is tangible.
The Barn Spa’s treatment menu is thoughtfully composed, each ritual designed to restore without excess.
The Rejuvenate Ritual, exclusive to The Barn Spa, offers a head-to-toe immersion featuring invigorating exfoliation followed by a restorative massage. Skin is polished; tension dissolves.
The Bramley Selenite Crystal Body Massage blends therapeutic oils with warmed selenite crystals — an ancient mineral associated with clarity and calm. The sensation is deeply grounding, easing muscular strain while encouraging energetic reset.
For the face, the Bespoke Bramley Facial is tailored with essential oils selected to hydrate, soothe and revitalise. It is gentle yet effective, leaving skin luminous rather than overwhelmed.
Wellness here extends across generations. Hypoallergenic ‘Mini Me’ treatments invite younger guests (aged 5–16) into the world of gentle self-care, whether through a soft facial or a calming head and scalp massage. Expectant mothers are supported with a nurturing Pre-Natal Massage, delivered by expertly trained therapists attuned to every stage of pregnancy.
Beyond individual treatments, curated spa day experiences elevate the visit. ‘Sip & Shine’ pairs a signature treatment with afternoon tea (£175 per person), allowing indulgence to unfold slowly — from therapy room to tiered cake stand. ‘Mini & Me’ (£80 for both) creates space for shared pampering between parent and child, reinforcing that wellbeing can be both restorative and relational.
A perfect spa day need not end at dusk. Down Hall offers 98 individually designed bedrooms, ranging from elegant doubles to expansive suites and family-friendly spaces. Rooms balance classic detailing with contemporary comfort, creating a restful cocoon after a day of renewal.
Dining at the Garden Room Restaurant celebrates seasonal British produce with Mediterranean influence, while The Lounge and Terrace provide relaxed settings for afternoon tea, cocktails or an unhurried lunch overlooking the grounds.
Rooms are priced from £192 per night on a bed-and-breakfast basis, based on two people sharing.
Matching Rd, Hatfield Heath, Bishop’s Stortford CM22 7AS
