Hanbury Manor Marriott Hotel & Country Club

Who says an indulgent spa day has to mess with your fitness routine? Keep on track with Hanbury Manor’s state-of-the-art Technogym fitness centre and complimentary wellness classes.

Feel the burn on treadmills, cross-trainers or stationery bikes. Tone up with resistance machines and free weights, then crank up the intensity in the group cycling studio. You can join in with any of the 30-plus weekly wellness classes ranging from aerobic sessions to body-toning rituals, then wrap up your workout with a swim in the 17m swimming pool. 

Take a swing on the acclaimed championship golf course or go for a powerwalk along the picturesque trails winding throughout the historic parklands. Or for adventures further afield, why not head out into Lee Valley, where you can hire mountain bikes to tackle miles of riverside paths?

Zodiac restaurant is the estate’s flagship dining room, where you can tuck into contemporary British cuisine (gin-cured trout, anyone?) under a spectacular, gold-gilded Victorian ceiling painted with celestial motifs. 

For elegant afternoon teas, the stunning Oak Hall is the place to be. There’s nothing nicer than tucking into your scones in this wood-panelled sanctuary filled with grand features, big comfy chairs and cosy roaring log fires.

Finally, there’s Vardons, which has a totally different vibe. This buzzy sports bar was named after the legendary golfer Harry Vardon who originally laid out the estate’s fairways and features laid-back bistro setting with views across the golf course. 

Hanbury Manor does indeed have a swimming pool and it’s a total show-stopper. You’ll feel like you’re in an ancient Roman bathhouse thanks to the Neo-Classical stately columns lining the water’s edge! At 17m in length it’s a great place for an atmospheric swim, and there’s also a poolside whirlpool and sauna. Looking for the steam rooms? You’ll find separate options in the male and female changing rooms.

Yes it is, with ramps up to the main entrance, wide interior corridors and accessible rooms featuring roll-in showers.

Hanbury Manor is set between the Hertfordshire villages of Thundridge and Wadesmill, while the riverside market towns of Ware and Hertford are just a few minutes down the road. Because it sits in acres of gorgeous grounds and gardens, it feels miles away from anywhere. In fact, it’s hard to believe that you’re just 25 miles north of Central London!

While the minimum age for spa packages at Hanbury Manor is 18, families are welcome to stay at the hotel – and there’s loads of fun on offer for little ones. Your mini explorers can take part in family scavenger hunts or splash in the pool from 7am to 11am and 2pm and 7pm daily. 

Animal lovers are perfectly placed for a wild day out at Hertfordshire Zoo (formerly Paradise Wildlife Park), located just a short drive away. But for Harry Potter fanatics, the iconic Warner Bros. Studio Tour London makes for a spellbinding day out.

If you don’t mind smudging your manicure by donning a golf glove, the estate’s championship golf course is just the place to spa and par. This 18-hole masterpiece was originally plotted by golf legend Harry Vardon before being reimagined by Jack Nicklaus II into the thrilling par-72 parkland challenge it is today. 

Winding across 200 acres of Hertfordshire countryside, the course treats players to pristine USGA-specification greens, historic mature trees, views of the Jacobean-style manor and strategically placed water hazards. There’s also a golf simulator, golf shop and practice facilities.

Sorry, this one’s strictly for humans. Only service dogs get a VIP (very important pooch) pass at Hanbury Manor. But while the hotel isn’t dog‑friendly, it’s definitely people‑friendly – perfect for couples, groups of friends or anyone looking to unwind in style!