Prices start from as little as £19.00 and hampers can be custom made and priced according to your specification from the following list of items.

Please place your order (usually 24 hours notice required) and it will be made ready for collection on your departure day.

Hedgerow Products – Handmade in Leicestershire, using local ingredients and prepared using traditional recipes. Their products are made in small batches so as to maintain the highest quality and standards.

Damson Jelly – 4oz, Apple and Real Ale Chutney – 4oz

Long Clawson Dairy – Founded in 1911 when 12 farmers from the Vale of Belvoir, Leicestershire, formed a co-operative to produce Stilton® Cheese in the village of Long Clawson.

Their famous Stilton (200g approx) has a sharp, tangy flavour becoming creamier as it matures.

Thomas Hoe, a traditionally made cloth bound Aged Leicestershire Red Cheese (200g approx), aged for 6 months. It has a nutty caramelised taste/slightly lemony.

Dickinson & Morris –They have been baking pork pies at Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe in Melton Mowbray since 1851. They have the dual acclaim of being the oldest pork pie bakery and the last remaining producer of authentic Melton Mowbray pork pie based in the town centre.

Available in 140g or 454g – Probably the world’s greatest pork pies!!

The Belvoir Brewery –The original Belvoir Brewery (pronounced “Beaver”) was set up in 1995. The brewery was constructed using mostly original equipment and artefacts recovered from traditional cask ale breweries all over the country.

Melton Red 4.3% abv – A full flavoured smooth beer, with a subtle hint of hops.

Belvoir Fruit Farms – Mary Manners, the wife of our founder Lord John Manners, started making cordials in her kitchen in the 1970’s by infusing the elderflowers and pressing the fruit grown on the farm. Since then, Belvoir has carried on the same infusing, pressing and cooking of fresh flowers, fruits and spices, which are then blended with local spring water to make delicious drinks.

Elderflower Presse 25cl – An exquisitely scented blend of freshly picked elderflowers, fresh lemon juice and sparkling water from the Belvoir springs.

So if the thought of a lone workout in the gym bores you to tears and you feel that yoga is only for spiritual beings, but don’t know where else to turn for your exercise, don’t feel bad, it’s part of who you are and there are plenty of other options available. If you choose the activities that are right for you, you are far more likely to be able to stick to the resolutions many of you have probably just made.

At Ragdale Hall we offer many fitness breaks ranging from one end of the exercise intensity spectrum to the other. If you’ve tried exercising in the past and it just hasn’t worked for you don’t be put off, you may simply not have been practicing the correct method for you as an individual.

In June and October this year we are holding our regular Beaut Camps, for those who want to combine a little bit of luxury and pampering with kick-starting weight loss and boosting energy levels. This event involves some quite high intensity exercise so is good for those who have a lot of stored up energy that may turn to bulk if they don’t do something about it!

And at completely the opposite end of the spectrum we have a Yoga Retreat in September. Yoga is a very popular method of keeping fit, with people of all ages and fitness levels. Yoga offers to strengthen your body and tone your muscles whilst also calming your spirit, something which is just as essential as keeping your body healthy, especially for people who find it hard to switch off from their busy work life. Yoga is best suited to people who prefer low impact exercise and maybe have a low reserve of energy and are fairly flexible. And of course Ragdale Hall is the perfect fitness venue for those of you who like to relax and take it easy due to the extensive spa facilities available.

Working closely with experts at Ragdale Hall, M&S has created an indulgent and pampering 10 piece spa collection of feel-good bath, body and face products which will be available from 173 M&S stores and online as well as at Ragdale Hall from end January 2012.

Gillian Ridley-Whittle, Head of Buying for Lingerie and Beauty at Marks & Spencer said, “We developed this range in response to the soaring popularity of spa treatments and spa breaks. The range offers a collection of daily use products that bring a pampering at-home spa experience to the everyday routine. The chic and stylish packaging gives it strong bathroom shelf appeal, making it the perfect gift too”.

Clare Brandish, Sales & Marketing Director, Ragdale Hall, comments, “Here at Ragdale Hall, we had been considering launching our own range of spa products for a while and then we were approached by M&S. The match seemed ideal, we are both well known for luxury at an affordable price. There is clear synergy between our brands – both are trustworthy, high quality and we both care very much about our customers.”

THE RANGE……

BODY

Ragdale Hall Mother of Pearl Spa Sugar Scrub, £9.50

The perfect full body exfoliation treatment that will leave you silky smooth all over. For an invigorating spa experience, Spa Sugar Scrub sloughs away dead skin cells with a unique blend of mother of pearl and sugar. Added sweet almond oil, shea butter, rosehip seed oil and monoi oil leaves skin wonderfully nourished and moisturised.

RAGDALE HALL TOP TIPS:

Great for use all year and particularly before a holiday to prepare skin for a more even tan. Always exfoliate at least twice a week at this time of year and once at other times

Also brilliant after a holiday to get rid of dead cells to prolong your tan. Remember the elbows and knees too as these tend to be the driest skin areas at all times of the year.

For best results, dip into the bath and the sugar will melt away, leaving the oil to penetrate the skin. Follow by using the Spa Body Butter for a deeply nourishing treatment.

Spa Sugar scrub is also ideal for a quick DIY manicure and pedicure.

Ragdale Hall Luxurious Spa Body Butter, £8.50

For a luxurious and decadently rich body butter, this one is hard to beat. Containing three incredibly rich butters including Shea Butter, Illipe Butter and Kokum Butter, the super buttery blend is the instant answer to creamy smooth skin and long lasting moisturisation.

RAGDALE HALL TOP TIPS:

Especially effective in the winter months. Use in the evening, once showered and in to sloppies to deeply nourish and penetrate the skin.

Or to give your skin a luxury treat before a special night out – skin will feel instantly hydrated and radiant.

Ragdale Hall Softening Spa Foot Cream, £6.00

For serious feet softening, this ultra-nourishing foot cream combines high-purity lanolin with black cumin seed oil, known for its moisturising properties and its ability to improve rough, dry skin. If a fondness for heels has taken its toll, then the invigorating peppermint helps put the spring back into tired feet.

RAGDALE HALL TOP TIPS:

Great to use just before bed time – try keeping it on the bedside table to remind you! For best results, apply generously all over the feet and put on cotton socks to help the cream penetrate even deeper.

It’s perfect for keeping in your gym bag too! Apply to showered feet after every workout to nourish and revive them.

Ragdale Hall Softening Spa Hand and Cuticle Cream, £6.00

Beat dry, moisture-starved hands and cuticles. For an intensively moisturising and nourishing hand treatment, Spa Hand and Cuticle Cream includes a blend of sweet almond oil, lanolin, glycerine and Allantoin as well as hydrolised keratin to ensure skin is instantly hydrated, leading to beautifully soft hands and cuticles. Spa perfection!

RAGDALE HALL TOP TIPS:

Carry this product in your handbag and use it every time you wash your hands. For best results, ensure you massage it into the cuticles to help stimulate nail strength and growth.

For super hydration, apply generously to the hands and nails and put on cotton gloves before going to bed to help lock in the cream.

Ragdale Hall Soothing Spa Hand Lotion, £6.00

Light and easily absorbed, Spa Hand Lotion is enriched with coconut and almond oil to condition the skin, glycerine and panthenol to moisturise and milk thistle extract for its powerful anti-oxidant properties. Perfect for your own DIY manicure at home.

RAGDALE HALL TOP TIP:

As well as at home, keep this product on your desk at work and keep moisturising all day, especially in winter when the weather and central heating dry your hands out.

Ragdale Hall Refreshing Shower Gel, £6

Any time you need to wash away the stresses of the day, just reach for this refreshing shower gel which includes reviving extracts of watermint and soothing Oolong Tea

RAGDALE HALL TOP TIPS:

Use a nylon bath puff with the shower gel to get a good lather and to exfoliate at the same time.

Ragdale Hall Velvet Spa Cream Bath, £7.50

For the ultimate in relaxation, nothing beats a long hot soak in the bath especially when it’s filled with creamy, rich foaming bubbles and luxuriously fragranced with essential oils of white grapefruit and sweet orange to revive the senses and cedarwood essential oil to help relax aching muscles and vanquish every last drop of stress.

RAGDALE HALL TOP TIPS:

If you are in need of some quiet me-time, pour into the bath, light some candles, dim the lights, put on an eye mask and just soak…whilst breathing in the relaxing fragrance.

Ragdale Hall Gentle Cleansing Spa Hand Wash, £6.00

This gentle yet effective hand wash has been specially formulated with mild ingredients so vital moisture is not stripped from the skin no matter how many times a day you wash your hands.

RAGDALE HALL TOP TIPS:

Keep this gentle hand wash by the kitchen sink as well as in your cloakroom and bath room. Your hands deserve it!

FACE

Ragdale Hall Rejuvenating Spa Daytime Moisturiser SPF15, £9.50

An effective daytime moisturiser enriched with cocoa butter and Vitamin E with SPF15 for daily protection. Osilift, a natural sugar based tensor derived from oats, helps reverse the signs of ageing by firming and toning the skin coupled with long-term smoothing effects.

RAGDALE HALL TOP TIPS:

After the face, hands are the biggest giveaway of your age! Massage excess day cream into your hands, especially the backs of the hands. The SPF15 protection will also help protect your hands from harmful UV rays and help prevent premature ageing.

Ragdale Hall Restorative Spa Night Cream, £9.50

This rich nourishing night cream is easily absorbed into the skin. Containing a moisturising blend of glycerine, shea and kokum butters with milk protein and soya oil, Spa Night Cream will help revitalise and nourish skin overnight to leave it smoother and softer.

RAGDALE HALL TOP TIPS:

Hands need as much feeding as your face at night to keep them silky smooth. Massage any excess night cream into your hands, followed by Spa Hand and Cuticle Cream to give intensive nourishment.

Ragdale Hall will be available exclusively from Marks & Spencer stores nationwide or online at www.marksandspencer.com from end January 2012

New Year… new you!

Now the festive season is over, is your skin suffering the winter blues? If so then I have some perfect solutions:

Winter can be very stressful for our skin due to the changes in temperature from cold outside to warm inside. Humidity levels from high but freezing outside to low but very drying – due to central heating – inside, puts our skin through its paces, along with the excesses of the festive season. Your skin can feel dull and tired… however it can be fixed!!

Here are my top tips to achieve fresh, clear, beautiful skin for face and body through the darkest part of the year.

Tips to detox body

Tip 1 – Give yourself a dry brush body exfoliation

A dry brush exfoliation can be done in the morning before you shower and it takes only seconds. This will eliminate dead skin cells and allow the skin to detox. Dry brush exfoliation also improves lymph and blood circulation and decreases puffiness. An added benefit is that the gentle pressure is calming to the nervous system. To give yourself this dry brush exfoliation, you will need an Elemis Cactus Body Brush at £18.40. Treated with care, you will only need to purchase one once, as it will last and last. Use Elemis’ Tea Tree SOS Spray at £19.40 after every use, to keep your brush clean and hygienic for continuous application.

Tip 2 – Detox whilst in the shower

Why not use Decleor Alguaromes Shower and Bath Gel at a limited edition price of £21.00 for 250ml. This is a great product which removes impurities and neutralizes the effects of hard water. Alguaromes Shower and Bath Gel is soothing and relaxing however its invigorating properties will give you a feeling of well-being, a great way to start the day.

Tip 3 – Let your body detox all day long

Get a head start this year by treating that sponginess and orange peel appearance of your skin with Clarins Body Shaping Supplement at £38.50. Mix it with any body moisturiser, use 6-8 drops and just add it to your moisturizer – this will smooth, firm and banish stubborn cellulite. A great moisturiser to use at this time of year is Clarins Moisture Rich Body Lotion at £29.00. If you use this product then you don’t need to worry about dryness or flakiness, the two together are a great companion.

Tips to detox the face

Tip 1 – Prepare the skin

To have beautiful, glowing, young and healthy looking skin, you should follow a daily skin care routine and before attempting anything you need to prepare the skin. I recommend a fantastic cleansing routine which Elemis offers for all skin types:

Nourish and Rehydrate the skin with Elemis Pro Radiance Cleanser (£27.60) and follow with the Elemis Rehydrating Ginseng Toner (£19.40) for that ultimate revitalisation.

Tip 2 – Give your skin an MOT

At this time of year our skin needs a kick start…..

Elemis Skin Bliss Capsules at £59.30 provide a 30 day course. A powerful anti-pollution detox for your skin, these recovery capsules are clinically proven to have 1700% more anti-oxidizing power than other cosmetic oils to repair visible signs of ageing. Use one capsule in the morning and the evening underneath your moisturizer. Trust me, you won’t believe the difference in your skin.

Tip 3 – Pro-collagen Marine Cream 50ml at £76.60

This product is clinically proven to reduce the depth of wrinkles by 78% and increase hydration by up to 45% after only 15 days – a perfect finish to your skin care routine.

All the products recommended by Rose are available to purchase on our online shop – click here to make a purchase.

Just a little extra tip which costs nothing

Regular exercise is as essential for healthy skin as it is for a fit body. Manually, moving your muscles also whips your face into shape.

Facial massage has so many benefits, it increases microcirculation, getting blood and all the nutrients we need to our skin cells, it assists movement of lymph fluid, which is our secondary waste disposal system and helps rid the skin of toxins, so have a go at it and don’t forget to drink plenty of water too.

To purchase via mail order call 01664 434411 ext 303

To carry on with our continued investment and improvements to the Hall, we are building a new laundry and some storage on land recently purchased from our neighbouring farmers – you wouldn’t believe how many towels, robes and sheets we have to wash every day!

Work will commence in 2012 on a beautiful new relaxation area in the Water Garden to be called the Pavilion (see architects drawing below). A full refit of the Boutique is also planned. Following on from these will be an exciting new ‘express’treatment area in an orangerie off the Atrium.

Keep watching this space….more details to follow soon.

Cooking tips, recipes and restaurant recommendations from our Head Chef, David Ross.

If you’re passing through Nottingham on your way here or way home and are planning to go somewhere for food or drink en route, I highly recommend the Riverbank in Nottingham. It is situated on Trent Bridge, the food is excellent and you can sit and eat whilst taking in some fantastic views of the River Trent. Their website address is www.riverbanknotts.co.uk.

As the temperature has suddenly dropped after a surprisingly mild Christmas holiday, and you’re finding it too cold to venture out this great Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato soup is guaranteed to warm you up!

Ingredients:

2oz onions

2oz celery

2 medium butternut squash

4 sweet potatoes

1½ litres vegetable stock

2 cloves garlic

2 fl oz of low fat cream (optional)

Salt and pepper to taste

1 Tin coconut milk

Method:

Dice all vegetables including butternut squash with all seeds removed.

Add together in a pan with a little olive oil and cook for 4-5 minutes.

Add vegetable stock and simmer for half an hour.

Blend until smooth and finish with the low fat cream, salt and pepper.

And finally, if you’re all turkey’d out after Christmas and fancy something different, why not try a Three Bird Roast? Yes, it’s a little more expensive but it’s well worth it! My favourite supplier is Lings View Farm in Croxton Kerrial (www.freerangebirds.co.uk). My family have used them for years!

According to the official website of the Shirley family, this Hall was built by the 7th Earl Ferrers and not the 6th Earl who died in 1787. The 7th Earl was not happy living at the Shirley family seat of Staunton Harold near Ashby de la Zouch because of the large size of the house and the murder committed there by Laurence Shirley, the 4th Earl!

He liked Ragdale but the old Tudor built Hall was not ideal for full time occupation as it had been designed as a hunting lodge for occasional visits.

The only picture we have of the newly built Ragdale Hall on this site is dated 1799 and could possibly be its completion date. It was built in Georgian style with large buff concrete blocks with acres of parkland around. It is shown on a map contained in the largest ever book written about the history and antiquities of Leicestershire in 1804 as the seat of Earl Ferrers so I have to assume that he lived here.

The 7th Earl died in 1827 leaving the Ragdale estates to the illegitimate daughter of his son (who died before him), Caroline Shirley, who he had taken in and cared for after the loss of this son. She was then only 8 years of age and after the Earls death she was looked after by his friend, Charles Mundy, at Burton Hall.

The rest of the Shirley family did not agree with his will but its terms were carried out and both the old and the new Ragdale Halls, plus other lands belonging to Caroline Shirley (who went on to marry an Italian Duke) were leased out to various gentlemen, one of which was Colonel Hylton Jolliffe who will be my next subject.

Rosemary Conley comes to Ragdale for a week once a year to meet with guests, host a day of exercise classes and offer all her latest tips and advice.

As you may have heard, Rosemary is appearing on 2012’s series of Dancing on Ice, which we are all very excited about. We will be backing Rosemary all the way and are waiting in anticipation to see what she brings to the series, and indeed for her first performance this Sunday 15th January.

Rosemary’s partner Mark Hanretty, professional ice skater, can be seen below talking about his partnership with Rosemary

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

For all of you who have been to one of Rosemary’s events at Ragdale Hall, or in some other way have benefited from her wealth of knowledge in diet and fitness, it would be really lovely if you could show Rosemary your support by watching the show, which will be aired on ITV1 at 6.30pm on Sunday. Let’s make sure Rosemary continues on this very exciting journey for as long as possible.

You can follow Rosemary’s progress by looking at her Facebook page and you can also join the ‘Vote Rosemary’ page which you will find by going to www.facebook.com/voterosemary. It will be regularly updated with exclusive behind the scenes photos and gossip. You can also follow Rosemary on Twitter @rosemaryconley.

Click here to find out more about Rosemary Conley week at Ragdale Hall

So let’s not wallow in self pity and give up before we’ve even tried to begin, don’t go mad on your New Year’s resolutions just make little changes that are more manageable. Swap your morning coffee for a green tea and that sneaky elevenses snack for a healthier alternative such as a piece of fruit or a handful of nuts.

As for your exercise, you need to discover what you enjoy, some people like to exercise alone and others prefer group classes. Why not pop to your local health club and see what they can offer you.

Ragdale Hall Health Hydro and Thermal Spa offers a superb Country Club Membership enabling you to use the gym and gives you access to some 18 exercise classes. You are entitled to full use of the Pools and multi-million pound Thermal Spa which incorporates a number of different heat and water experiences.

Country Club members also receive discounts in the Beauty Shop, Gift Shop and Boutique. As well as discounts on beauty treatments, there is a full range of detox treatments to help you kick start your new regime and of course we have a full range of luxurious treatments as a little treat for all of your hard work!!

To help you along your way why not try out some of Ragdale Hall’s fitness weeks to give you some motivation they are fun and lighthearted yet teach you how to keep fit and stay fit, and what better way to do it than in the fantastic surroundings of a truly English country house!

Or what about the Cupids Couples Day to share with that someone special……spend a whole day together…just relax, be pampered, eat well and then let cupid work his magic!

Spa Day Vouchers …

For a Valentines gift they’ll really thank you for this year, why not purchase a Ragdale Hall Spa Day voucher? Ragdale Hall day spa provides a haven for complete relaxation – savour our Thermal Spa, sumptuous lounges and stunning grounds, with a pampering treatment or two thrown in and some delicious but healthy food…perfect for those who enjoy a little me-time!

Spa Break vouchers …

Indulge the one you love, buy them a Spa Break voucher….with tastefully decorated bedrooms, breakfast in bed, the relaxing Candle Pool and plenty of opportunities for a quiet snooze….this romantic Valentines gift really is a must for that someone special!

If your partner is a Ragdale lover already, why not treat her to some relax@ragdale leisurewear, a fluffy white Ragdale Hall robe or perhaps the Ragdale Hall teddy bear. Take a look at our Ragdale Accessories and Ragdale Books pages for some other ideas.

If someone you know is staying at Ragdale Hall, surprise them with one of our Luxury Treats and Welcome Gifts, to make their break that extra bit special. Many of our Welcome Gifts have beautiful bouquets with them, guaranteed to put a smile on someone’s face and start the romance flowing.

For the beauty conscious have a look at our Skincare gift sets or keep a regular eye on our Upcoming Skincare Offers page as their favourite range will definitely be on promotion before Valentines Day and by purchasing their favourite products you’ll also receive a fabulous free gift. Remember the girls in the Beauty Shop are always happy to recommend products and give advice on certain skin types so don’t be worried about choosing the wrong thing, give the girls a ring 01664 434411 ext 303.

If your Valentine only likes the best professional beauty products and the most exotic fragrances, then one of these gifts would be just perfect.  Maggie tells you more….

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

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