Suffolk &amp; Cambs


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/10/rsz_rsz_gainsborough_spa_pool_retouched_5561crop-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-23949" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/10/rsz_rsz_gainsborough_spa_pool_retouched_5561crop-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/10/rsz_rsz_gainsborough_spa_pool_retouched_5561crop-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/10/rsz_rsz_gainsborough_spa_pool_retouched_5561crop-1-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/10/rsz_rsz_gainsborough_spa_pool_retouched_5561crop-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/10/rsz_rsz_gainsborough_spa_pool_retouched_5561crop-1-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-location"><strong>THE LOCATION</strong></h2>



<p>The Gainsborough Health Club &amp; Day Spa is in an idyllic rural setting, just outside the beautiful and bijou Suffolk town of Clare. It&#8217;s easy to reach for a spa day from Bury St Edmunds, Sudbury, Cambridgeshire and North Essex &#8211; and is definitely worth making the drive. The spa is in a smart barn down a long private road that has heavenly views across Suffolk, and there&#8217;s plenty of parking right by the main entrance. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/view-gainsborough.jpg" alt="view from spa" class="wp-image-32396" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/view-gainsborough.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/view-gainsborough-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/view-gainsborough-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/view-gainsborough-300x400.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/view-gainsborough-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/view-gainsborough-394x525.jpg 394w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>THE VIBE</strong></h2>



<p>Even the most stressed and uptight of people would find it hard not to relax in this light-flooded, warm and tranquil barn in the middle of the beautiful countryside. It&#8217;s a calming and cosy space with characterful beams, huge windows and a hushed vibe. The spa is a rabbit warren of rooms and corridors, which means you don&#8217;t often bump into other spa guests. When we visited on a Friday in spring, we found that there was just the right amount of people to create an atmosphere, but still plenty of space to use the facilities. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="600" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/10/rsz_spa5534.jpg" alt="robes Gainsborough " class="wp-image-23946" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/10/rsz_spa5534.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/10/rsz_spa5534-300x180.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/10/rsz_spa5534-720x432.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/10/rsz_spa5534-150x90.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/10/rsz_spa5534-875x525.jpg 875w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>We visited to test out the Ultimate Tranquil Escape Spa Day, which included two treatments, afternoon tea with a glass of Prosecco, a Luna eye mask and use of the facilities from 10 &#8211; 5pm. There&#8217;s also a half day option, although we found the full day really gave us time to reach a state of pure relaxation. What the Gainsborough Spa does particularly well is seasonal spa offers. If you keep an eye on the website you can snap up some insanely good spa day deals throughout the year. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE FACILITIES</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="750" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/gainsborough-pool--750x1000.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-32394" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/gainsborough-pool--750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/gainsborough-pool--600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/gainsborough-pool--300x400.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/gainsborough-pool--1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/gainsborough-pool--394x525.jpg 394w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/gainsborough-pool-.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></figure>



<p>We started our day with a visit to <em>that</em> pool &#8211; it really is a stunner with all those beams and dappled light flooding in. We had the pool to ourselves, which was a real treat so we could swim up and down together chatting as we went. I&#8217;m a classic Brit when it comes to getting in a pool, I just don&#8217;t do cold water, but this one was the perfect temperature &#8211; easy to get in to, but not too hot when you start working up a sweat by swimming. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="859" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/jacuzzi-2-859x1000.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-32371" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/jacuzzi-2-859x1000.jpg 859w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/jacuzzi-2-687x800.jpg 687w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/jacuzzi-2-344x400.jpg 344w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/jacuzzi-2-1320x1536.jpg 1320w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/jacuzzi-2-451x525.jpg 451w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/jacuzzi-2.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 859px) 100vw, 859px" /></figure>



<p>This main barn is also home to a jacuzzi, situated right by the huge floor to ceiling windows. We visited on a glorious sunny day and spent a delightful half an hour bobbing around with the sun warming our backs and the water warming our bodies. Tucked away by a collection of chairs you&#8217;ll also find a sauna and steam room.</p>



<p>By the main entrance there&#8217;s a well-equipped gym. It&#8217;s nicely separate from the spa area so you don&#8217;t feel the guilts if you&#8217;re here to lounge around and de-stress. The gym is mostly used by health club members who live nearby, but you can incorporate a fitness session into your spa day if it takes your fancy. There&#8217;s also a good sized changing area with showers and direct access to the pool barn.  </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1838" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/cafe-gainsborough.jpg" alt="cafe at The Gainsborough Health Club &amp; Day Spa" class="wp-image-32372" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/cafe-gainsborough.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/cafe-gainsborough-653x800.jpg 653w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/cafe-gainsborough-816x1000.jpg 816w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/cafe-gainsborough-326x400.jpg 326w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/cafe-gainsborough-1254x1536.jpg 1254w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/cafe-gainsborough-428x525.jpg 428w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>The Gainsborough is definitely a small spa, but it&#8217;s also a bit of a tardis, and I was surprised to head along the corridor and find a bright and smart Spa Café. The café serves afternoons teas and light lunches to spa goers as well as small snacks and coffee, tea, Prosecco, wine and beer. We enjoyed a delicious three-tiered afternoon tea with a selection of sandwiches, scones and cakes, all washed down with tea and fizz. Who knew that relaxing so hard could make you work up such an appetite? </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="665" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/10/gainsborough-courtyard.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-29221" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/10/gainsborough-courtyard.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/10/gainsborough-courtyard-800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/10/gainsborough-courtyard-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/10/gainsborough-courtyard-789x525.jpg 789w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>In summer you can spill out into the charming courtyard that I imagine would be a real sun trap with fabulous views. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/afternoon-tea-scaled.jpg" alt="afternoon tea at The Gainsborough Health Club &amp; Day Spa" class="wp-image-32375" width="640" height="704" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/afternoon-tea-scaled.jpg 2324w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/afternoon-tea-726x800.jpg 726w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/afternoon-tea-908x1000.jpg 908w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/afternoon-tea-363x400.jpg 363w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/afternoon-tea-1394x1536.jpg 1394w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/afternoon-tea-1859x2048.jpg 1859w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/afternoon-tea-477x525.jpg 477w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></figure>



<p>Around yet another corner is the treatment area, including a couple&#8217;s room, and a relaxation lounge &#8211; a tranquil room with soft lights and dark hues with six beds to recline on before or after your treatment. This room was so calming that when we headed here meaning to read before our second treatment we fell asleep instead. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>THE TREATMENT</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="611" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/10/Spa5826-2-rtchd.jpg" alt="relaxation room " class="wp-image-23947" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/10/Spa5826-2-rtchd.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/10/Spa5826-2-rtchd-300x183.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/10/Spa5826-2-rtchd-720x440.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/10/Spa5826-2-rtchd-150x92.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/10/Spa5826-2-rtchd-859x525.jpg 859w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>I&#8217;m a huge fan of spa treatments and when I realised the spa day included two, I was on cloud nine. I often find one treatment really gets me in the mood, while a second tips me over the edge into full de-stress and relaxation mode. The first treatment was an ESPA full body massage for 50 minutes. The therapist expertly used hot stones to really help get the knots out of my poor hunched-over-laptop shoulders. Her magic hands seamlessly alternated between using the stones and not depending on the part of the body she was massaging. The pressure was perfect for me and at the end I didn&#8217;t feel sad it was over because I knew I was coming back later!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="730" height="376" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/hot-stone-massage.jpg" alt="Hot stone massage Gainsborough " class="wp-image-32387" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/hot-stone-massage.jpg 730w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/hot-stone-massage-400x206.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 730px) 100vw, 730px" /></figure>



<p>My second treatment right at the end of the day was an ESPA Cleansing Facial that included a cleanse and then application of the ESPA face products that were relevant for my particular skin concerns &#8211; dehydration. While the mask worked its hydrating magic, my therapist (the same therapist as earlier in the day, which was a lovely touch) massaged my shoulders and scalp and it was all I could do not to fall asleep. I loved finishing the spa day with a treatment and I floated home knowing I&#8217;d reached peak tranquillity. </p>



<p>There&#8217;s an impressive list of treatments to choose from considering it&#8217;s a small rural spa, including a Serail Mud Chamber experience for two and treatments for mums-to-be.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Muddy Verdict</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="600" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/10/rsz_new_gains.jpg" alt="The Gainsborough Health Club &amp; Day Spa exterior " class="wp-image-23944" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/10/rsz_new_gains.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/10/rsz_new_gains-300x180.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/10/rsz_new_gains-720x432.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/10/rsz_new_gains-150x90.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/10/rsz_new_gains-875x525.jpg 875w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong> Treating yourself to a full day of pampering without breaking the bank. The Gainsborough Health Club &amp; Day Spa has filled a gap in the market that means you can afford regular wellbeing visits without feeling stressed that it&#8217;s an unaffordable luxury. If you live nearby you can become a member of the health club and enjoy use of the brilliant facilities for just £44 per month. </p>



<p><strong>Not for: </strong>Lounging around the pool all day with a magazine. The pool takes up most of the barn so there aren&#8217;t any beds poolside. You can read in the relaxation room, but as we found it has a much more sleepy vibe and there were times during the day that it was full.  </p>



<p><strong>££:</strong> The Ultimate Tranquil Escape Spa Day starts from £105pp during the week. Seasonal spa day offers start from as little as £47.50pp, including full use of the facilities and a treatment!</p>



<p><em><a href="https://thegainsborough.co.uk">The Gainsborough Health Club &amp; Day Spa</a>, Cavendish Road, Sudbury CO10 8BW. Tel: <a href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&amp;rls=en&amp;q=the+gainsborough+health+club+and+spa&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;oe=UTF-8#">01787 279009</a>, email: enquiries@thegainsborough.co.uk</em></p>


Review: The Gainsborough Health Club & Day Spa, near Sudbury

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