Down Hall Hotel & Spa

Matching Road, Hatfield Heath, Bishop's Stortford, CM22 7AS

From £70.00 per person

Our customer rating: 5/5

About

What’s better than luxuriating in a superb spa hotel? Luxuriating in a spa hotel that makes you feel like you’re in Downton Abbey. Sweep up the crunchy gravel drive past manicured lawns and a central island covered in flowers, then marvel at your first breathtaking glimpse of Down Hall.

You can’t help but be dazzled by the sheer opulence of this grand country house mansion. There's a wow-factor here at every turn, from the stunning wallpaper and Italianate architecture, to the twinkling chandeliers and fountains. Stop and admire the fine art, dabble in some padel tennis or throw a boule or two. Life away from the hustle and bustle has never looked so good!

The hotel can trace its history back 1,000 years when it was a former royal estate of King Harold II, while in the 1930s it became a school attended by Princess Diana’s mother, Frances Shand Kydd. As you might expect from an estate with such an illustrious history, your experience here will be quintessentially British, from afternoon tea with all the trimmings to Pimms on the terrace.

Sitting proudly in 110 acres of Hatfield Heath’s finest parkland, Down Hall Hotel is right on the Essex border with Hertfordshire. But despite being near the M11 and just 25 minutes from Stansted Airport, the hotel feels a million miles from city life. Beyond the hotel, there are plenty of options for days out. Colchester Zoo and Duxford Air Museum are both worth a visit, while there’s plenty of retail therapy to be savoured at both Bishop’s Stortford and Harlow.

And just when you thought your break couldn’t be bettered there’s the intimate Eden Spa. Beautifully boutique, it has four treatment rooms, an outdoor sun terrace and a bijou wet area with a stunning hydrotherapy pool, steam room and sauna. Choose from a menu of age-defying ESPA rituals, try a mindful massage or go for a beauty treatment like a Jessica mani/pedi to get you glowing from head to toe.

Overnight stays at Down Hall are a particular pleasure. There are almost a hundred super-luxe rooms, many boasting four-poster beds and patios, waiting to welcome you. And when you need sustenance, the Garden Room’s innovative menu using ingredients harvested from the hotel’s vast kitchen garden will tempt you like never before.

Popular Facilities

  • Hydrotherapy pool
  • Steam room
  • Experience showers
  • Moodlit sauna
  • Relaxation room
  • Gymnasium
  • Trim Trail
  • Padel tennis
  • Tennis courts
  • Badminton court
  • French boules
  • Giant chess
  • The Garden Room
  • The Fox Bar
  • Al fresco terrace

Packages

Bookings & Advice024 7671 6192

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Spa Deal - SAVE up to 24%

1 Night Eden Spa Escape

  • 1 treatment, up to 35 minutes
  • Overnight accommodation
  • Three course table d'hôte dinner
  • Full English breakfast
  • Two hours use of the leisure facilities
  • Complimentary use of towels, robe and slippers
  • Check in from 3pm - Room departure 11am
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From £211.00 per person

Twilight Spa Evening

  • 1 treatment, up to 35 minutes
  • Glass of Prosecco
  • One hour use of the facilities (6.15pm-7.15pm)
  • Complimentary use of towels, robes and slippers
  • Arrival time TBA
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From £70.00 per person

Twilight Deluxe Spa Evening

  • 1 treatment, up to 50 minutes
  • Glass of Prosecco
  • Two hours use of the leisure facilities (5.30pm-7.30pm)
  • Complimentary use of towels, robes and slippers
  • Arrival time TBA
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From £90.00 per person

Winter Ritual

  • 1 treatment, up to 35 minutes
  • Sharing board for lunch in the Fox Lounge
  • Two hours use of the leisure facilities
  • Complimentary use of towels, robes and slippers
  • Arrival time TBA
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From £100.00 per person

1 Night Midweek Pamper Break

  • 1 treatment, up to 25 minutes
  • Overnight accommodation
  • Evening meal up to the value of £30 per guest
  • Full English breakfast
  • Two hours use of the leisure facilities
  • Complimentary use of towels, robe and slippers
  • Check in from 3pm - Room departure 11am
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From £196.00 per person

1 Night Midweek Spa Plus Break

  • 2 treatments, 50 minutes
  • Overnight accommodation
  • Evening meal up to the value of £30 per guest
  • Full English breakfast
  • Two hours use of the leisure facilities
  • Complimentary use of towels, robe and slippers
  • Check in from 3pm - Room departure 11am
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Live availability - Book now and your reservation will be instantly guaranteed

From £237.50 per person

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Get in touch

Contact us for bookings and advice

Prices from £NaN per package

Details

Towel and robes providedYes
No. of treatment rooms4
Dual treatment roomsYes
Max no. in group8
Lockers availableYes
Product houseESPA and Jessica
Dress for lunchYes
Minimum age18
Local attractionsAudley End House, Colchester Zoo and Duxford Air Museum
No. of bedrooms98
Check-in time15:00
Use facilities before check in timeYes
Dress codeSmart/casual
Hotel Accessible accessYes
Car parkingComplimentary
Pets welcomeYes, £20 per night

Facilities

  • Hydrotherapy pool
  • Steam room
  • Experience showers
  • Moodlit sauna
  • Relaxation room
  • Gymnasium
  • Trim Trail
  • Padel tennis
  • Tennis courts
  • Badminton court
  • French boules
  • Giant chess
  • The Garden Room
  • The Fox Bar
  • Al fresco terrace

The Spa & Wellness at Down Hall Hotel & Spa

Decadence is par for the course at the Eden Spa, where you can unwind without a care in the world. With its own separate entrance accessed from the hotel’s front courtyard, your mind, body and spirit will sink into indulgence mode the minute you arrive.

Feel your shoulders drop as you encase yourself in the luxury of your fluffy robe and slippers. Slip into bliss in the spacious hydrotherapy pool - with its stunning central fountain and skylight, it really has the wow factor. Take time to breathe deeply in the steam room and clear away the toxins in the sauna. 

Head outside to the outdoor relaxation room to stretch out on a comfy lounger. With 10 loungers on this private spa terrace, it’s a lovely sun-trap with space for all of you. Or seek solace and some quiet time in the sumptuous relaxation room with its adjustable beds and hushed ambience. 

Then it’s time for a deep dive into euphoria with an ESPA treatment. There are four rooms dedicated to soul-soothing, body-beautifying, head-clearing rituals, including one luxuriously intimate couples room. And to make sure you float out looking just as good as you feel, a Jessica manicure or pedicure makes the perfect finishing touch.

The Gym & Fitness at Down Hall Hotel & Spa

Don’t forget your leggings! Nailing your fitness goals is easy when you’re soaking up the stunning surroundings at Down Hall Hotel & Spa. There’s a state-of-the-art gym packed with equipment to help you work up a sweat, with two treadmills, a reclined bike, two cross trainers, a rowing machine, stretching mats and Reebok medicine balls. You’ll never be stuck for something to do.

But with 110 acres of glorious grounds to make the most of, why exercise indoors when there’s fun to be had (and calories to be burned) in the fresh air? Try the Trim Trail hidden throughout the woodland and test your fitness on balance beams and monkey bars. Or just pick up a map of the grounds from reception and hike, jog or power walk in the natural beauty.

Sporty type? Try padel tennis, a combination of traditional tennis and squash. Fans say it's addictive, so it could be a new hobby you’ll want to do at home. A game of boules will make you feel like you’re in the South of France or book a tennis court and play a game of doubles to get fit with friends.

Restaurants & Food at Down Hall Hotel & Spa

You’ve nurtured your body with heat and water. You’ve nourished it with a luxurious treatment at Eden Spa. Now it’s time to nibble on something delectable, and Down Hall has just the thing. Some truly indulgent options await, and they all use produce sourced from the hotel’s own kitchen garden. 

The Garden Room

Fancy something fancy? The Garden Room is the hotel’s elaborate dining room. When you’ve stopped gazing up at the gorgeous wallpaper you’ll enjoy innovative fine dining from a modern English menu and mouth-watering Sunday lunches, where freshly picked produce from the kitchen garden is always the star of the show. 

The Terrace 

For something a little lighter (or perhaps a post-spa cocktail or two) try the cool, contemporary Terrace. With beautiful views of the landscaped garden, the outdoor bar, comfy furniture and heaters add a laid-back vibe. For lunch, try its famous small plates and sharing boards while you sip, scoff and socialise with the soothing sound of the fountain adding to the ambience.

The Fox Bar 

Love to have an aperitif before dinner? The Fox Bar is the ideal place. Nestled in the relaxing atmosphere of the Main House, you can pull up a comfy chair and settle in for the night in the refined lounge-like surroundings.

Afternoon tea

Served in the Lounge or al fresco during the summer months, this treat-to-remember is blissfully indulgent. With themed menus that change with the season, a selection of savoury bites and pastries created by the hotel’s Head Chef can be washed down with the tipple of your choice.

Spa Location

Down Hall Hotel & Spa

Down Hall Hotel & Spa

Matching Road
Hatfield Heath
Bishop's Stortford
CM22 7AS
01279 731 441

Get Directions

How to get to the Spa?

By train: The nearest train station is at Sawbridgeworth, 4 miles away and around nine minutes in a taxi. 

By bus: The nearest bus stop is at Friar’s Lane where you can get the number 59 bus to Harlow.

By car: Down Hall is 45 minutes from London and near Stansted Airport. Take the M11 and leave at Hatfield Heath. The postcode for your satnav is CM22 7AS

Parking: Free parking is available at the hotel.

Reviews

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Very calming place
  • 4 Service
  • 4 Quality
  • 4 Satisfaction

We had a really lovely day doing the winter ritual package. The facial was so relaxing and the lunch was also delicious. The spa facilities were fairly small but enough to still be relaxing. I would recommend this place.

Charlotte Humphreys, London

Lovely spa welcome, old fashioned bedrooms in hotel
  • 4 Service
  • 4 Quality
  • 4 Satisfaction

Gorgeous spa experience with lovely hosts who were so polite and inviting. Not a huge amount of space for lounging as there are only four beds otherwise you’re in the whirlpool or steam or sauna, which can be an issue if there’s more than six people visiting. We felt a little awkward like we had to abandon our beds and there’s no spot to leave a book or bottle of water. Sauna is excellent as was our massage as part of a winter wellness experience. Great pressure and treatment. The hotel itself is a little outdated and the rooms could do with some modernisation but beds super comfy, rooms clean as can be. Room was not ready at 2pm when we arrived and front of house was run by quite a young chap who seemed very flustered about this. Small things but when it’s four star you expect a proper welcome. Dinner and breakfast faultless, great experience.

Melissa Herbert , London

Lovely day out.
  • 3 Service
  • 3 Quality
  • 3 Satisfaction

Booked for myself and a friend for a pamper day. Great value for money. The spa was nice but could have been better. To spa pool was quite cold and we couldn't really relax in there which was quite disappointing. The sauna and steam were nice. The relaxation room would have benefited from some relaxing music maybe. We both had a treatment which was lovely. We also had a lunch included in the package which was delicious.

Maria Jarvis, Chelmsford

Beautiful location and very enjoyable
  • 5 Service
  • 5 Quality
  • 4 Satisfaction

The hotel and grounds are absolutely beautiful. The spa is small but there’s plenty to do there. The hydro pool was fabulous and I loved the outdoor reclining area too. Super clean and welcoming staff. The lunch was my least favourite as there wasn’t a veggie option offered.

Hayley Pang, Hertford

Perfect spa day
  • 5 Service
  • 5 Quality
  • 5 Satisfaction

Perfect spa day - wonderful, spa facilities set in the beautiful grounds of Downhall hotel. Staff at the spa were excellent. The lunch in the fox lounge was also fantastic. Felt very pampered and looked after. I will definitely be returning for a spa weekend! I didn’t want to leave.

Emma Bowden, Essex

Birthday treat
  • 5 Service
  • 4 Quality
  • 5 Satisfaction

Lovely day, good value and staff were very friendly and helpful, making sure we felt comfortable and had everything we needed, I took my daughter, it was her 1st time visiting a spa and she really enjoyed it.

Michelle Oakes, Herts

Menopause spa retreat
5 / 5

I went with a friend for my birthday. Staff, food, treatment was very good. Lovely atmosphere. Really good value for money. I would recommend. Just double check that the treatment you asked for is...... Read more

Afternoon tea
5 / 5

Had the most amazing Afternoon tea.... food was absolutely delicious and we were offered more sandwiches and tea at no extra charge...the staff were so good at their job, nothing was to much...... Read more

The perfect stay, magnificent food and beautiful grounds
5 / 5

The whole experience was wonderful, we were greeted so personally at reception by Hannah and given a map of the beautiful grounds to explore. Our bedroom was stunning and felt very luxurious. The...... Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Down Hall Hotel & Spa do afternoon tea?

It does. And, as you might expect from a hotel that once played host to the Bake Off tent, it’s something quite spectacular. Served in the Lounge daily between 2pm and 5.30pm, this quintessentially British afternoon tea changes with the season, but a particular treat comes with a G & T twist - savoury and sweet treats served with your choice of Berkshire botanical gin cocktail in a teapot. 

Is there a swimming pool at Down Hall Hotel & Spa?

No, there’s no swimming pool, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be unwinding in water. Bring your cossie because the hydrotherapy pool at Down Hall Hotel & Spa isn’t just kept at a toasty 36 degrees to soothe your aches and pains. This is one bubbling spa bath with the wow-factor. Our reviewers rave about its size and its stunning centrepiece – an incredible fountain, with a skylight above it.

How many rooms are there at the Down Hall Hotel & Spa?

Tempted to turn your spa day into a spa stay? We hear you. Down Hall Hotel & Spa boasts 98 bedrooms, all tastefully designed to reflect the elegance of this historic property. All the rooms in the main house are unique and full of

traditional character. Classic and Executive bedrooms are spacious and comfortable, whilst Feature Rooms benefit from exemplary views.

Is Down Hall Hotel & Spa accessible?

Yes it is. There’s a fully accessible unisex toilet located off the lobby area by the Bridgeman Selwin Suite, and two accessible bedrooms on the ground floor with wet room bathrooms. The newer part of the hotel, called the West Wing, has a lift to each floor. 

However, areas in the older part of the building, The Mansion House, aren’t always quite so easy to access. There’s no lift, and all bedrooms involve a climb up one or two staircases. This part of the building consists of Doubles, Deluxe Doubles, Mansion House Features and Suites.

What are check-in and check-out times at Down Hall Hotel & Spa?

For residential stays at Down Hall Hotel & Spa, check-in time is from 3pm. Then, on your day of departure, your room must be vacated by 11am. But you’re welcome to stay and use the facilities and the hotel will store your luggage for you.

Is there a dress code at Down Hall Hotel & Spa?

While you’re welcome to drift around the Eden Spa in your robe and slippers, the dress code in restaurants, bars and public areas is smart/casual.

What was filmed at Down Hall Hotel & Spa?

Feel like you’ve seen this beautiful mansion and its manicured lawns before? You may well be right. Down Hall Hotel was the beautiful backdrop for the 2020 and 2021 series of Great British Bake Off, when the famous white tent (plus a cast and crew of some 120 people) pitched up here after Covid restrictions meant it had to move from its usual Berkshire location.

Is Down Hall Hotel & Spa family-friendly?

Although the Eden Spa itself is adults-only, the hotel is very family-friendly, with children’s dining along with spacious family rooms that let you all spread out, along with connecting rooms for older teens. 

There’s plenty to keep them entertained and active, thanks to the outdoor playground, trim trail, tennis, padel tennis and badminton court, French boules and giant chess set.

Is Down Hall Hotel & Spa dog-friendly?

It is! Four-legged friends can stay for £20 per night, and they’ll get their own water bowl, dog bed and treat box. Each of the pet-friendly rooms have double doors leading onto an external area within the grounds. There’s plenty of room for walkies in Down Hall’s 110 acres, while waggy tails are welcome in lounges and on the outdoor restaurant terrace.

Is there a golf course at Down Hall Hotel & Spa?

No, there’s no golf course onsite but there is some good news for those who like to pamper and putt. Turn your spa stay into a golf escape by combining it with a round at Bishops Stortford’s private golf club, just a 20-minute drive away. This mature 18-hole parkland course (par 71) offers the perfect test of skill for all players.