Crieff Hydro Spa

Bathe your woes away with some Victorian-style hydrotherapy

It’s a little known fact that spa fever first hit Britain in the Victorian era. Way back in 1868, Victorian ladies and gentlemen would make the trek up to the Scottish lowlands to take the waters at Crieff Hydro Spa.

Almost 150 years later, this spa in Scotland is still going, but with a few modern updates. The classic Victorian bathing room is still there, complete with its original ceiling frescos, although the heated pool and sauna have been given a bit of a facelift over the past century and a half.

The Crieff Hydro Spa has also added a steam room, a hair and beauty salon and a number of private treatment rooms, where trained therapists can work their magic.

Signature treatments include the Male Executive Facial, which has been designed to revitalise tired skin and minimise the appearance of wrinkles, and the very 21st century Melting Honey and Hot Stones Massage, which does exactly what you would expect.

This is an adult-only spa with a real emphasis on couples treatments – enthusiastic pairs can even sign up for a Swedish massage class so that they can keep up the good work at home.

For the full Crieff Resort experience, stay overnight and treat yourself to a midnight dip in the spa pool where you can float away your worries while you gaze up at the painted ceiling.

• TREAT YOURSELF:  to the custom-made Clarins Drift Away Day package, which includes a foot treatment, a back, neck and shoulder massage, a facial and scalp massage, a two course lunch and access to all the spa facilities.

• PERFECT FOR:  Victoriana fans and busy couples seeking to simplify an over-complicated life.