Travel: Rushton Hall Luxury Hotel & Spa

Literally two days before Easter weekend I was on the lookout for somewhere to go for a few days, somewhere fun like Berlin or Rome, but couldn't find anything for less than £350. Isn't it annoying how everything is three times more expensive if you book during school holidays? I don't even have children, not fair!!

Anyway...after hours of research for a nice spa in the English countryside, and after trawling through options that were all booked up, I finally found the perfect getaway spot - Rushton Hall Hotel & Spa in Northamptonshire.

It was an absolute sanctuary and beautiful getaway from busy and loud London life. Set in a Grade I listed grand 16th century building, it is surrounded by 25 acres of grounds with a lake and ancient trees. There was lots of wildlife around such as pretty pheasants and ducks.

We took walks, spent some time in the Grand Hall by the big fire, and had a delicious dinner. The staff at Rushton Hall made us feel at home, showing us around some historical spots like the priest's hole and the wine cellar. As we walked through we also learned that Charles Dickens used to be a frequent visitor and even wrote one of his books there.

This place really is special, and who wouldn't want to pretend and feel like they live in a 16th century mansion for even just a day??

Check out some photos below...

Our room window

Antiques were scattered everywhere, I loved it!

Coat and scarf from Zara

The beautiful Grand Hall

Fine dining

At the reputable spa we had massages and spent the day in the pool and sauna

Wearing Zara jumper, Zara jeans, Zara bag, Pied a Terre boots and a Topshop hat

Based on two sharing, a classic room with breakfast costs £170 per night, dinner was around £100 and  petrol around £70 from London and back (2.5 hours)

The Stableyard Spa offers a variety of treatments for great prices as well as seasonal offers

Five Best: Easter treats

Easter...a time to spend with family, usually under a blanket and eating chocolate all day!! With even four days off, it's kind of like Christmas?? We got a delicious classic Lindt Gold chocolate Bunny at work yesterday, and I've now done a bit of research into some more interesting Easter treats below...

1. This luxury Godiva Classic Easter Egg is not only in stunning packaging, but it actually contains an assortment of small wrapped eggs, poussins and core chocolates inside of its milk or dark chocolate shell, £40

2. Another cute and pretty chocolate bunny, the Pierre Hermé Lapin Lait is only 22 euros and is 45% cacao. It is garnished with small Easter eggs (Intense, Pietra, Mathilda, Corso and Sensation) and crunchy eggs made of nougatine with dark chocolate and milk chocolate with Pietra hazelnut praline and dark chocolate

3. Carluccio's by far have the most quirky and unusual egg I have seen so far, the 'boiled chocolate egg' for only £2.95. So cute! It's the size of a regular hen egg and is skillfully crafted by hand to look soft boiled. At first it seems it is solid milk chocolate, but the best bit is the soft and mouth watering hazelnut filled bottom half. Buona Pasqua from Carluccio's!

4. For someone who likes something a little different, Green & Black's have a tasty ethical and organic Mint dark chocolate egg for just £6. Great for after dinner nibbles or with coffee too!

5. This delicious looking Heavenly Hazelnut Lindt Easter egg is my favourite. I am a huge fan of Lindt, and this luxurious egg is made of smooth milk chocolate rolled in roasted Piedmont hazelnuts and coated with a final chocolate layer. A moden dar masterpiece created with love by the Lindt Master Chocolatier! £19.99

And below, the alternative Easter egg...for pets! I love it :)

£2.65 from Pets at Home (Eggs available for dogs, cats and small animals)

Happy Easter everyone! I'm off to a huge manor house in the countryside for a spa weekend...post to follow.