Life is hectic, full of daily stress that can feel like it’s coming from all directions – and sometimes all at once! Know the feeling?
Then I’m sure you also know the feeling of needing time, space and relaxation in a luxurious, picture perfect woodland retreat, one that comes complete with luxury lodges, hot tubs, a spa,45-acres of woodland to explore, and a bistro with all-day dining options. We discovered the perfect place for you at Bainland Lodge Retreats & Spa in the heart of Lincolnshire.
Grab a coffee and your comfiest chair while I tell you everything you need to know from our personal experience.
Bainland Lodge Retreats & Spa
Nestled in the heart of Woodhall Spa, one of Lincolnshire’s most attractive and vibrant villages, you find this amazing woodland retreat. Tucked away completely out of view, a picture perfect escape .
But that’s the beauty of Bainland, it is the absolute definition of the word ‘retreat’. Yes, there are lots of fabulous activities to keep you entertained, however, if your aim is to switch off and completely recharge in nature and laid back comfort, thinking of nothing other than sinking into your own personal hot tub…read on.
Lodge on the Lake
We were on a family break and lucky enough to stay at Lodge on the Lake. A beautiful lakeside retreat, Lodge on the Lake offers the ultimate escape with its own private entrance, garden and lake, (complete with wildlife to keep you entertained). You have the utmost privacy with perfect views.
Sleeping up to eight guests, each bedroom has its own luxurious ensuite bathroom, super king bed (these can be split into twins), a wardrobe area and TV. There is a stunning open plan living space with a fully fitted kitchen and everything you need for a self-catering stay, including an oven, hob, fridge freezer, dishwasher and the all-important wine cooler, as well as all the necessary crockery, cutlery and utensils. The dining table seats eight and there’s a huge corner sofa, large enough for a whole family to sink into to watch the 50″ smart TV.
If you want a little more excitement, there’s a retro arcade video machine featuring over 650 games, perfect for a games night.
From the lounge, patio doors lead out to a sweeping wooden deck where you find your private hot tub and lots of sun loungers, all looking over your very own private lake. The deck is also great for entertaining, and through a gate on the decking, you have access to your signature fire pit for cooking on, or just for sitting around and enjoying Lincolnshire’s big night sky.
This is something we made full use of each night, toasting marshmallows and reminiscing about the days adventures.
Dining at Nest
I touched on the fact that Lodge on the Lake, (and all other lodges at the retreat), are perfectly equipped for self-catering. But let’s be realistic, you don’t want to spend your time in such an amazing place cooking, there are so many great options for dining, why would you!
The Nest is superb! A large restaurant and bar with a brilliant all weather terrace for al fresco dining or drinks. This is a bistro inspired all-day dining venue serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, afternoon tea, and drinks.
We booked for dinner and it was busy! The Nest is popular, the food is great, the service spot on, and the décor immaculate. We certainly took home some design ideas!
What we ate:
Beer Battered Haddock with Koffmann chunky chips, minted mushy peas, homemade tartare sauce and curry sauce. A large portion and simply delicious – nothing was left!
Double Smash Burger with American cheese, crispy onions, pickles, lettuce and burger sauce, with skin-on fries. Another generous portion and that burger was juicy and moreish.
We couldn’t fault it.
We couldn’t manage desserts, but enjoyed great beers and wine by the glass.
Top Tip: Make sure you have a reservation to avoid disappointment.
Other dining options
If you’re there for a special celebration, you can arrange for a private chef and bartender to look after you in your lodge.
Or Goose & Dough is ready and waiting every Monday and Friday, making pizzas baked fresh to order. Larger groups can take things a step further, as the van can be booked exclusively for an evening as part of their In Lodge Dining services.
Shop at The Stores
We loved exploring the resort shop! Stocked with a selection of essential supplies, delectable sweet treats, and an array of locally sourced produce. But that’s not all – step inside, and you will find a fabulous collection of homeware, interiors, and unique handmade gift items, each one handpicked to add a touch of rustic elegance to your home.
We spent quite a while perusing the shelves and displays, and yes, they had the marshmallows we wanted for toasting on our firepit!
The Spa
If your aim is to unwind and recharge, The Spa at Bainland is where you need to be. Luxury spa facilities bring together a heated indoor pool, thermal wet spa, saunas, steam room and outdoor hot tubs, alongside three treatment rooms for massages and ELEMIS facials.
We each booked the 30 minute Elemis Deep Tissue Tension Ease Massage. Sitting at a desk, pounding a keyboard and staring at a screen most days, plays havoc with the back, neck and shoulders, so it was fantastic to have a treatment to loosen everything up. Which it did, we all commented how much better we felt, and how we all had much more movement afterwards. Had we been there longer we would have definitely booked more treatments.
Top Tip: Book any treatments prior to your visit. They are very popular.
Cycling
Not everyone wants to spend their time at Bainland chilling, and for the more active and adventurous, there’s fun for all the family. The beautiful 45-acre property is yours to explore.
From woodland walks and cycle paths to more competitive activities such as Archery, Mini Land Rovers, Segways, Tennis, Badminton, and a climbing wall. Bainland Lodge Retreats & Spa is designed specifically so that you can enjoy your time here your way.
We chose to hire some bikes and cycle the woodland paths to Woodhall Spa, where we stopped for coffee and cake at one of the many independent businesses in the village, before cycling back.
After so much relaxing, it was amazing to have some exercise, lots of fresh air, and a reward of coffee and cake!
Oh and one more thing…make sure you visit the donkeys!
Our time here passed far too quickly, and we will definitely be back. Bainland Lodge Retreats & Spa gives the gift of time and unforgettable memories, and we want more!
Which lodge will you choose?
Everything you need to know is at www.bainland.co.uk
Please note that Lodge on the Lake is not suitable for pets.
Review and images by Angela Riches and Dave Riches
Some images supplied
