I’m always happy to have an excuse for a bit of pampering, and a spa day is a pretty good way to spend a few hours. I’ve visited Fletchers Cottage Spa at Archerfield Estate a number of times now, and it’s somewhere I enjoy returning to when I fancy a little time out.
On my most recent visit, the sun was shining, which made it even better. I’d booked the B Bespoke Spa Package, so I was looking forward to a few hours of relaxation, some time in the spa facilities and, as it turned out, a chance to sit outside in the gardens with a glass of sherry.
Fletchers Cottage Spa
Fletchers Cottage Spa is part of the Archerfield Estate in East Lothian, not far from Gullane and North Berwick. It’s a lovely spot for a bit of pampering, but what I particularly like about it is how calm it feels. I’ve always appreciated being somewhere that doesn’t feel too busy.
I often choose an afternoon spa appointment, which gives me a little time beforehand to wander around the walled garden or explore the estate at Archerfield and enjoy a light lunch at the lovely café.
The spa sits about halfway down the long drive through the estate, past the main Archerfield House. There’s a car park outside the spa, so there’s no need to park in the main car park by the café.
On arrival, you’re welcomed with a calming drink while you’re checked in for the day. You’re given your slippers before being shown to your locker, where you’ll find a towel and robe. There are private bathrooms with showers, so you can get changed before heading off to enjoy the facilities.
It’s all very straightforward, and before long you’re ready to leave the outside world behind for a while.
The B Bespoke Spa Package
For this most recent visit, I’d booked the B Bespoke Spa Package (prices from £265), which uses the organic Bamford skincare range. The package includes a foot bathing ritual, followed by a massage and a bespoke facial tailored to your individual needs.
I like the idea of a treatment that’s adapted to what you need on the day, rather than everything being exactly the same for everyone.
I opted for the massage first, followed by the facial. The massage was lovely, with just the right amount of pressure for me. The heated massage bed, combined with being tucked under a duvet, made it feel a little like being in bed. It’s not often you get to have a massage without having to leave the comfort of a warm duvet!
The facial was wonderful too, and my skin felt fantastic afterwards.
Once the treatment was finished, the therapist raised the bed and opened the blinds overlooking the garden, giving me a peaceful view as I came back to earth. Once I was ready, I was taken back to the spa lounge, where I was given a refreshing sorbet. It’s a lovely little touch and gives you time to sit back and enjoy the surroundings before deciding what to do next.
The package also includes time to enjoy the thermal facilities, so there’s no need to rush off once your treatment is finished.
The Sauna, Steam Room and Relaxation Lounge
I’ve enjoyed the thermal facilities on my visits, including the Marine Steam Room and Lavender Sauna, along with the sensation showers and ice fountain.
It’s nice to be able to take your time and move between the different facilities, with breaks in between to relax. You can enjoy these before or after your treatment. I prefer to use them beforehand, so I’m not washing off all those lovely oils afterwards!
One of my favourite spots is the spa lounge, particularly when the wood fire is roaring. There’s something about settling into a comfortable chair in front of a real fire with a good book that makes it very easy to switch off. It’s a lovely place to sit with a cup of tea and do very little for a while.
The relaxation room is another peaceful spot if you fancy somewhere a little quieter. Between the two, there’s plenty of opportunity to find a comfortable corner and simply enjoy having some time to yourself.
A Glass of Sherry in the Sunshine
One of the highlights of my most recent visit was being able to sit outside in the gardens with a glass of sherry.
I was lucky with the weather, and it would have been a shame not to make the most of the sunshine. After spending time in the spa, sitting outside with a drink was a lovely way to enjoy the gardens and round off the experience.
It’s often the simple things that make a day memorable, and sitting in the sunshine with a glass of sherry was definitely one of them.
The Bath Hut Experience
On a separate visit, I also tried one of the Bath Hut experiences at Fletchers Cottage Spa, which is another option if you’re looking for something a little different.
The individual bath huts are set within the natural surroundings of the walled spa garden, offering a more private experience away from the main facilities. Inside, there’s a lovely freestanding bath, which you can top up with hot or cold water, along with a wood-burning stove and an armchair if you don’t want to spend the whole time in the bath. The stove is a particularly lovely touch in winter, and you can also put on some relaxing music.
The 30-minute Calming Peace experience (£80) includes an oatmeal-based bath and the Peace aromatherapy blend, which combines essential oils of ylang ylang, lavender, mandarin, petitgrain and cedarwood.
There’s also a guided meditation to help you quiet your mind and relax, and the experience includes 90 minutes of access to the thermal facilities and spa lounge.
I like that this offers a different way to spend your time at the spa. Having your own private bath hut in the garden makes it feel like a more secluded experience, and it’s a lovely alternative if you fancy something beyond a traditional spa treatment.
Would I Recommend Fletchers Cottage Spa?
Having visited Fletchers Cottage Spa a number of times, it’s somewhere I’d happily recommend if you’re looking for a relaxing spa day in East Lothian.
For me, it’s the calm atmosphere that makes it stand out. I enjoy the treatments and thermal facilities, but I also love the little things, whether that’s sitting in front of the roaring fire in the lounge, finding a quiet spot in the relaxation room or, on a sunny day, taking a seat in the gardens with a glass of sherry.
The B Bespoke Spa Package is a lovely option if you want to combine a massage and facial with time to enjoy the facilities, while the Bath Hut provides another experience to consider if you’re after something different.
Sometimes you don’t need to book a weekend away to get a bit of breathing space. A few hours of pampering, a calming cup of tea and a chance to sit back and relax can be just what you need.
And if the sun happens to be shining, all the better.