Nearlywed NEWS

EDITOR LOVES...

I was lucky enough to enjoy the Restore Day Spa at The Glass House Retreat. The Glass House has been designed from scratch and built by industry experts from the ground up. It’s a visionary retreat, with an all-inclusive approach to detoxing and wellness. The sun was shining during my stay and I enjoyed a natter with a friend beside the natural swimming pond, listening to the surrounding nature before indulging in a 25-minute bespoke facial. My skin glowed and I can’t recommend it enough as a pre- or post-wedding treat to give tired and stressed skin the tlc it deserves.

Next up, lunch! The chilli bean tacos with homemade guacamole was divine – all complemented with an invigorating fresh pineapple juice. If you’re not a vegetarian, rest assured there’s something for everyone’s tatses from sushi to pasta and you come away feeling nourished and well cared for. Not feeling sluggish at all, I then enjoyed the heated leisure pool, had a quick steam and sauna before I tried my hands at one of the fitness sessions - all included in the day. I chose a 30-minute core session, however, was equally tempted by the daily mindfulness sessions. The daily timetable is truly excellent. It’s everything you need to start life again, positively transformed. I can’t wait to return.

Visit: www.glasshouseretreat.co.uk

Things are heating up in Essex this summer, and we’re not just talking about the weather!

Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate is celebrating the arrival of long, balmy evenings with the launch of Live from the Lawn – a series of new music events supporting local artists, taking place every other Friday and the first Sunday of each month from 2nd June to 3rd September. Secure your table on the sun-soaked terrace, sip on Berkshire Gin cocktails and listen to the soulful sounds as you end your week on a high.

Set to provide the ultimate soundtrack to your Friday summer evenings, guests can expect feel-good performances from a full line-up of local talent including Greg the Sax, Fox Wiggle and Sass, and Tom Ryder as well as Lovelight Entertainment, showcasing timeless Ibiza classics and Motown & Soul sessions. Enjoy a delicious terrace menu serving up the freshest seasonal plates –think grilled lamb koftas with flatbread and cucumber yoghurt dressing; and dressed Cromer crab with sourdough and paprika mayonnaise – before moving onto a selection of limited-edition Berkshire Botanical cocktails such as the sweet Honey & Orange Blossom or punchy Rhubarb & Raspberry Gin. With a backdrop of the 19th century Italianate mansion, this is sunset sessions at its best! Music starts at 7pm and finishes at 9:30pm. The full line-up can be viewed online. Visit: www.downhall.co.uk

THE SUN INN’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY

The Sun Inn in the beautiful village of Dedham on the Essex/Suffolk border has been the destination pub, restaurant and place to stay since 2003 and a stop off for travellers and locals since before artist John Constable immortalised the village and surrounding countryside in the 18th and 19th century. This July, the inn celebrates its 20th anniversary under the ownership and management of Baker Hospitality which also owns Church Street Tavern in Colchester and The White Hart Inn which opened on Mersea Island last June.

Piers Baker opened the doors on 17th July 2003. He says, “Fresh out of London, I wanted to bring the food I loved and had worked with to an unloved, run-down pub in a quintessential village, in an area abundant with fine produce. It won’t last a year it was said, especially since we didn’t do chips.... until 2018! Not only is The Sun thriving but we’ve also opened Church Street Tavern in 2014 and The White Hart Inn in 2022.”

To round off the celebrations and offers in July, The Sun’s annual music and beer festival will take place on Saturday 15th to Sunday 16th July.

Visit: www.thesuninndedham.com

STRIKE IT LUCKY!

LAUNCH OF MEDIK8 AT GREENWOODS HOTEL & SPA

Over 75 guests attended a fun and informative launch of leading British skin care brand Medik8 at Greenwoods Hotel & Spa, Stock on Thursday 13th April. The product line will feature as part of a new launch of treatments including Medki8 popular anti-ageing facials in the award-winning spa that’s recently undergone a major refurbishment.

Spa managers Demi and Charlie Murphy welcomed Basildon-based Skinbrands Business Development Manager Laura Daynes Laura who explained more about the brand’s heritage and how the treatments and retail products would accompany the spa’s current beauty offering.

Skinbrands, based in Josselin Road, Basildon, are one of the UK’s biggest distributors of premium skin care and Medik8 is one of their most exclusive lines.

Wedding Events & Marketing manager Christie Steel said: “Demi and her team have worked really hard to launch this new exciting beauty brand and we can’t wait to share some fresh spa news with you too this summer with the opening of Greenwoods Aesthetics, offering a range of cosmetic surgery treatments and specialist facials.”

Visit: www.greenwoodshotel.com

Tenpin, the UK’s bowling and entertainment operator, is unveiling a brand-new look and feel in its Colchester site following a complete refurbishment. Customers can bowl up to try the activities on offer at the revamped entertainment hub on Cowdray Avenue, which now features 20 LED lit bowling lanes, two karaoke rooms, laser tag and upgraded arcade games, making it the ultimate competitive socialising experience for families and friends to enjoy.

After scoring strikes on the bowling lanes, guests can channel their inner pop stars and sing their hearts out to the latest tunes in two brand-new, high-tech karaoke rooms before pausing to refuel with the wide range of food and drinks on offer. A dream hen do!

Arcade-lovers are also in for a treat following the update of the games area, which now boasts the latest video games in a family friendly setting. This entertainment centre also serves fabulous cocktails in its modern bar area, and you’ll never miss a match with large TVs showing all live games on Sky Sports and BT Sport!

For more information or to make a booking, please visit www.tenpin.co.uk/our-locations/colchester

Set in three acres of beautifully manicured gardens, The Lawn is a truly enchanting, award-winning Manor House wedding venue with a stunning Orangery, galleried Grand Hall and delightful gazebo. Perfect for any size wedding, for any season.

The Lawn Wedding Fair

Sunday 3rd September 2023, 11am - 3pm www.mainweddingsandevents.co.uk

Free entry and ample free parking. Chef’s canapés will be served and additional refreshments will be available to purchase on the day. Register now!

To find out why we remain one of the most sought a er and best reviewed venues in Essex, contact us to arrange a viewing or visit www.thelawn.co.uk and let us put together a tailored online quotation based on your precise requirements.

Hall Road, Rochford, Essex SS4 1PL 01702 203669 | www.thelawn.co.uk

Get Yourself Spa Happy

Every bride wants to look super fresh and glowy on her wedding day and at Greenwoods Hotel & Spa, the team of therapists at this multiaward winning venue can help you look and feel your very best!

Located in the pretty village of Stock, Greenwoods Hotel & Spa is the perfect place to relax with a whole range of spa experiences to try – just what you need to take a day away from the planning for the big day. It’s also ideal if you want to treat bridesmaids or specials guests to a pre-wedding pamper.

Why not indulge in a relaxing hot stone massage, get big day ready with a glowing body scrub treatment or treat yourself to one of the bespoke anti-ageing Medik8 facials now available in spa. There are pedicures, manicures and a range of other beauty treatments available as well as an in-spa beauty bar for you to pick up a gift or two.

Newly opened this spring, Greenwoods Aesthetics clinic offers the very latest ‘tweakments’ including Revolax Dermal fillers, skin buffing and rejuvenating dermaplaning and mircroneedling facials treatments as well as energy boosting vitamin B shots, for a pre-wedding boost!

Spa packages include the Sunset Evening for Two, priced at £79.99 for two guests which includes use of the facilities and gym as well as 10% off spa treatments and your food bill. Or the popular Summer Package that includes use of spa, plus a delicious two-course lunch and Strawberry & Elderflower body scrub, £105 person.

As an exclusive offer for An Essex Wedding readers, Greenwoods Hotel & Spa are offering an amazing 20% off any spa package booked between 1st June to September 30th 2023. To access your discount, enter ESSEXWEDDING20 when booking online or calling the reservations team on 01277 829 990. For further details of spa packages and offers, visit: www.greenwoodshotel.com