When we first visited Ye Olde Bell Spa it was when my Mum and I were trying to visit 12 spas in 12 months (it was her idea and completely accidental for the first 2) and to be honest, this spa ruined it for us. After this, if there wasn’t an outdoor to indoor pool and spa butler, it just wasn’t good enough! Having been twice now and been dreaming about it for years in between, quite honestly the best spa we’ve ever been to.
If you want a short version of this review, then there’s nothing bad, questionable, or slightly negative about this review at all. There’s nothing. It’s all magic from here on in. I should add now that I need a wheelchair whilst out, the only thing that Ye Olde Bell Spa could do to improve would be a pool hoist, it would literally take them from heaven to fully accessible heaven.
Disclaimer: This is a gifted review, but we did pay for my dad to come along (so he could drive us.)
First Impression
Located in Barnby Moor, Retford, Ye Olde Bell Spa is just a short 40-minute drive from Sheffield. It’s extremely easy to find and the grounds are beyond stunning. We went for a little exploration and said how beautiful it would be for weddings, parties, or anything. We even played on the picturesque swing before heading inside the actual spa.
The Ye Olde Bell spa reception is stunning, it has a very luxurious vibe as you walk in, and the staff is extremely welcoming. Checking in was really easy and the priority was to get us sat down to start our spa day. On our first visit, we were greeted by Jay with ice-cold glasses of water and asked if we’d like a hot drink. We were given our spa itineraries and a map of the entire spa. Immediately you can tell how attentive the staff is.
I said about accessibility and the lady said at any point if I need anything just ask. They’ll be able to do anything to make my stay more enjoyable. I quickly did a walk around to take photos before the other spa guests arrived, and then again to do a video walkthrough (which you can see on my spa day highlight on Instagram) and I could walk through the entire spa within minutes, even with my mobility issues.
That’s how easy it is to get around. We were guided through the beautifully designed hallway to the pristine changing rooms. We didn’t use the accessible ones as after I saw the map and how large the changing rooms are, I felt like we would have more than enough space. The changing rooms were very well thought out and even have face wash and cotton wool in case you haven’t got anything to take your makeup off with, and have dressing room-like stations with light-up mirrors to be able to get ready in the best light!
On our second visit, I had my transit wheelchair with us so during our greeting talk I was told all about the plans in place in case of an emergency and how I had two designated people depending on what floor I was on to make sure I got out safely, and I was even told about how both of them are fully qualified and trained to use the evacuation chair if I was upstairs. It was beyond impressive. We were then led to the accessible changing room that was huge, it had two stools (which is really needed because not all disabilities are the same!), a walker, a shower chair, and a locker. Again, really impressive.
Ye Olde Bell Thermal Spa
Luxury is a word that I’m going to use throughout this post and it doesn’t even cover it. Breathtaking, magical, and out of this world would be closer but still not enough. I had obviously seen photos already, but in person, this place is even more beautiful. My mum actually gasped when she saw the swimming pool and how it opened up to lead outside. It’s a hydrotherapy pool which means it’s heated to the most perfect temperature, and it also has hydrotherapy jets all over. All of which are different and made so whatever your ability, you can try to find something that works for you and enjoy.
If you’re unable to move onto the hydro loungers then there are stand-up hydro jets. These are magical. It’s like millions of tiny little spa therapist hands massaging you underwater. There was plenty of seating everywhere and it wasn’t all the same, which means you can really pick something you’ll be truly comfortable in. Including a giant egg, which even moves so you can stop the sunlight if you’d prefer, it even makes a cosy spot to nap in!
Spa experiences include some things I haven’t seen before, and now I require every spa I visit to have because we loved them. The Thermal Spa is the most impressive place I have ever been, not only was every room working to full capacity but every room was seriously spacious. The spa doesn’t have many people in at a time so you can get that truly luxury experience, but with the rooms being so spacious it really does make a spa day. You can truly relax, spread out, and never worry about hogging anything!
Having a vistited a second time and when it was actually much busier than the first, I wanted to point out how clever they are about timings and making sure the spa doesn’t feel crowded at any point. There are so many things to do and then with treatments, lunch, and the morning spa goers leaving and the afternoon spa goers arriving, we found ourselves on our own for a lot of the time.
It has a Herbel Laconium, this one is great if you can’t do the heat of a sauna and prefer something more scented. The Stonebath is beautiful and it’s not something we’d seen before. It’s quite literally a bucket of hot stones that are dunked in water and then that’s what makes the room so hot. Swiss Pine Sauna is the hottest sauna I’ve ever been in and it was amazing. The views from the rooms are lovely as they are of the outdoor huts with pillows and blankets. The Snow Storm is such a brilliant concept for cooling down in between hot spa rooms, this has two settings of a snowstorm or snow shower. The storm version has thunder noises and flashing lightning lights as well as a literal snowstorm that falls on you. The snow shower is much more gentle.
The Shower Walk had my mum gasping in shock and slight horror as it starts off gentle and turns into a storm with thunder sounds again and a bucket shower at the end, she didn’t make it to the end. She loved it though as she ended up going in a few more times! The Steam Bath was beautiful and so relaxing. Finally, in the Thermal Spa, there is also a Salt Cascade Experience, this is a dark room with lots of comfortable places to lay down and take it all in. Upstairs are the beautiful spa treatment rooms and two more relaxation rooms with added balcony areas too. The light relaxation room had water and magazines, and the darker relaxation room had beds and blankets for a little nap. I do love spas that have places to nap.
The little touches in Ye Olde bell Spa were amazing, there was ice cold water with a lemon option available throughout the day. Towels in the changing room are readily available in case you needed another. We also saw magazines available in the main part of the spa and in the upstairs relaxation room.
Spa Bulter
I didn’t know this was even a thing but now I am never going to a spa that doesn’t have a spa butler again. To be perfectly honest, Ye Olde Bell Spa has ruined other spas for me because nothing will ever compare. We didn’t even realise that we were ordering our first drinks at 11am because we were just so relaxed and excited to be there. Plus, I saw WooWoo on the menu and that was enough to tempt me! So, what is a spa butler? A spa butler is the most attentive person ever. They will literally check on you and make sure your every need is being met and also making sure the spa stays in pristine condition throughout the entire day.
Honestly, there was no water on any of the floors for longer than a few minutes. There was zero chance of ever slipping because it’s tended to so well. A spa butler can bring drinks to wherever you are in the spa, even if you’re in the pool! They’re totally not judgey of how many drinks you end up ordering either! Both the Ice Coffees and Espresso Martinis were the best we ever had and I made sure to tell them!
The Treatment
There are stairs to get up to the treatment rooms or there is a lift near the changing rooms. Which opens on one side and closes on the other, making it great for wheelchair users! We went into a double treatment room and it was laid out beautifully. So much more spacious than spa rooms normally are, lit with calming blue lights and soothing spa music. The beds were bigger than we had ever come across before and more comfortable too. I was told they’re imported from America and honestly, best spa beds ever.
We literally sank into them and there was no need for comfort towels around the bust to make laying on your front more comfortable. We had the Sperience Elements Massage which was based on your zodiac sign matching you with an oil blend. We both asked for a back massage and what I liked most about this as it didn’t seem to be a set routine for the massages.
Instead, it seemed like the spa therapists cater to what you actually want and where you need the massage most. I feel like this way is how you get the most for your money when it comes to treatment. I feel like every millimeter of my back was massaged, it was a seriously thorough experience and Katie did an amazing job.
My mum loved her treatment from Lois too, who focussed on the middle of her back. At the end of the treatments, a hot towel was placed on our neck and we were gently stretched, this was SO enjoyable. We felt taller afterward. One thing we both loved was that the spa bed was lowered day and then we were sat up so that you don’t get that rush of feeling dizzy after treatment and getting up too fast. There was no rushing but there was also no waiting around for the spa therapists too, they were waiting outside with our waters when we finished and guided us to the beautiful relaxation rooms. On our second visit, they were just as magical with Clare and Abbie!
Ye Olde Bell Spa Restaurant
I couldn’t just call this section the ‘food’ because it is simply not just food. This is Ye Olde Bell food (said in the Marks & Spencer’s advert voice.) To our utter surprise, this was top restaurant-quality food, in a spa! We’re used to having sandwiches and perhaps chips at a spa, but this was a delicious 3-course meal. When you first arrive at the spa you can preorder so that when it is your restaurant slot, you don’t have to wait around and waste any of your spa days.
The food was served within perfect timing and we really felt like we were being cared for. We all had the same because we had never tried Scallops before, they were absolutely delicious! We also all picked the Lamb and it was cooked beautifully. The desserts were really pieces of art, this is where we all had differences. My dad picked the rhubarb & custard, I picked strawberries and cream, and mum picked the chocolate dessert. On the day the main chef wasn’t in, so this just shows how talented the entire team is! As it was a beautiful day the bi-folding doors were all open and it was truly such a pleasure to be in the restaurant.
Our second visit was just as impressive, we opted to pay extra for the third course and it was well worth it with a table full of ‘mmmms’ whilst we ate. Even the homemade bread was impressive!
Accessibility
As I’ve already mentioned Ye Olde Bell Spa is very accessible for someone like me with mobility issues and an ambulatory wheelchair user. It’s also very thought out in the way that everything is together, but at the same time, it’s really spacious. You always have plenty of space, but it isn’t far to walk around. There is also different seating scattered so that if you cannot walk far, there are plenty of places to sit and rest.
The pool has two-step access points, the pool flooring is non-slip and as mentioned above there are different types of jets so if you couldn’t get up onto the lounger, there are stand-up and sit-down versions too. Everything from the changing rooms to the door width we found really great when using my transit chair and taking my chair made me so much more comfortable and my pain levels were really reduced. I felt so comfortable and was made extremely welcome.
On our first visit I did have a little issue with the restaurant seating as it was really painful for my back so I very quietly told Jay and within seconds he had got me a chair from the lobby and I was sat comfortably. This wasn’t made into a big deal or an issue at all and was handled really thoughtfully. On our second visit, I had my own cushioned wheelchair with me so I was extremely comfortable.
The only thing they could improve about accessibility is getting a pool hoist.
Fat Positive
Although we didn’t have them the first time, there are plus-size robes up to a size 2XL which is a UK24. This was simply a case of me being too polite and the staff not knowing how to ask. We talked about this afterward and from now on they will be asking plus-size guests in a very discrete way as I know not everyone would be fine with it like I would have been. On our second visit I asked for them over the phone and they were waiting in our changing room for us. Although I am a size 26 now so the robe didn’t me but both times we’ve found it to be a very friendly, welcoming place as plus size people so I didn’t really uncomfortable at all!
This is definitely the best spa we’ve ever been to. We’ve been to some beautiful and amazing spas but this one now wins. Even all the other guests were so friendly and chatty, it was such a nice atmosphere. We will definitely be going back, we’d go tomorrow if we could! Thank you for having us Ye Olde Bell Spa!