Three Horseshoes Leek – Review

PR Sample – I was kindly sent to the Three Horseshoes Leek by buyagift for consideration on my blog.

Earlier this month Ash and I had the chance to review the beautiful Three Horseshoes Leek, somewhere we had first visited back in 2017 and I personally was really interested in seeing how things had changed. Especially with there having been a pandemic in the middle.

Where is The Three Horseshoes?

The Three Horseshoes is a boutique country inn and spa located in Blackshaw Moor, near Leek. The location boasts amazing views of the nearby National Park and Peaks of The Roaches.

The last time we visited was in February and it snowed meaning it was an experience just getting to the location and we didn’t get to enjoy the scenery too much. However, this time we were taken a completely different route by the satnav which I believe was a lot easier than the journey we took the first time.

The views from the location are absolutely stunning so it is of little surprise it is used as a wedding venue as well as a spa and pub.

What is at The Three Horseshoes?

There has been an inn on this site since the early 1800s, with the current owners having been in place since 1981.

During the time the Kirk’s have been in ownership they have made some wonderful additions to the location, which now includes; a number of different room options, from rooms above the pub and bar for those with a smaller budget to garden rooms which feature their own outside hot tubs.

The pub serves everything from breakfast, lunch and dinner, to afternoon teas, and even welcomes four-legged friends. While the spa offers a range of treatments and facilities that can be enjoyed by people booked in for a spa day or stay.

How were we treated at The Three Horseshoes?

Everyone we came across was so warm, welcoming and went out of their way to help. The lovely receptionist was happy to help with ideas of how to get a good view of the Roches, offering both ideas to walk and drive around the area.

What was our room like at The Three Horseshoes?

We were placed in a superior room, which was on the first floor and easily accessible by both lift and stairs. The room was really nicely decorated and included a king-sized bed, TV with Freeview, tea and coffee making facilities, mineral water and sweets as well as a bottle of bubbly which was included with our spa package.

While the bathroom featured a shower and whirlpool bath.

I did decide to close the window when we went to bed as we were positioned above a garden room with a hot tub, which we could hear with it open. However, once closed the room was peaceful and comfortable to sleep in. We both agreed we got a good night’s sleep.

What was the food like at The Three Horseshoes?

Due to the positioning of the restaurant, it can either be reached by climbing two – three stairs from the first floor, or going up to another level in the lift floor of the inn and can be reached by climbing a couple of steps from the you do need to climb a couple of stairs into it. The menu on offer is created by chefs to a high standard and where possible use local produce.

Our package included a 2-course dinner, which had to be a starter and main. Some of the options on the menu weren’t fully inclusive and you had to pay extra towards them, however, this is clearly marked on the menu and explained to you by the server.

The meals offered are large in size and absolutely delicious. I would 100% suggest trying the goat’s cheese bon bon as a starter if you like cheese. While both the fish and chips and chargrilled chicken caesar burger make great options for mains.

As well as dinner, our package also included breakfast, for which there was a selection of items to serve yourself, from cold options to hot.

While checkout of rooms isn’t until 11am, our spa times were 9am – 12:30pm. So as suggested we popped our luggage into the car, changed into our spa wear and robe in the bedroom then headed down to the spa.

The Three Horseshoes Spa

Rasul

Ash and I were booked into the Rasul and this ended up being our first stop of the day as we were asked if we would like to go in a little early. This is a private spa treatment, which is only accessible to people who have booked in. The Rasul is a mud treatment that you do yourself and is open for 1 – 2 people making it perfect for spa treatment newbies.

During the Rasul you apply 1 of 3 mineral-rich muds to your skin (the colour of the mud dictates where you apply it and don’t worry it’s all explained before you go in), for the next 20 minutes you then sit back and let the steam open your pores, while gentle relaxing music plays and if you are anything like Ash and I occasionally fling mud at each other.

As the treatment comes to an end, a shower rains down on you washing away the mud and hopefully leaving behind wonderful nourished and healthy skin.

What else is in the spa?

The main spa area of the Three Horseshoe takes a lot of its inspiration from the local area, and its working mills and alongside offering treatments you expect from a spa, has developed some really interesting options that are unique to the Mill Wheel Spa.

The Mill Wheel

The first thing you notice when you walk into the main spa area is the mill wheel, this is not only a big nod to the local area (in particular James Brindley Water Mill in Leek & Cheddleton Flint Mill) but also a spa treatment.

Adjacent to the Mill Wheel you will find a pull cord when you pull this from the wheel will pour out 2 hot and 2 cold buckets of water, straight onto your head. However, which one will come first is a complete surprise.

The Cedar Plunge Pool

Behind the mill wheel lies the Cedar Plunge Pool. This pool is just 9 degrees in temperature and you are meant to quickly plunge yourself under the water after a heat experience, With a 30-second dip being said to help stimulate circulation, as well as help alleviate joint pain and muscle stress.

Now I have to admit I didn’t manage to get in further than to my knees, as I felt my mobility failed at that point. However, we did witness someone managing the whole 30 seconds and even dunking their hair! Believe me, they got a big round of applause.

The Farmers Sauna and The Peak District Stonebath

There are two heat rooms within the spa, with the farmer’s sauna offering a herbal steam room and the peak district stone bath a more dry heat. Both of these we found a little too hot to stay in for long, so a quick peek around the door was all we did.

The Relaxation Suite

Next door to the mill wheel room you will find the relaxation suite, a room filled with seats, tables, magazines and water, allowing you a space to relax and unwind between activities.

This room also looks out towards the spa gardens and vitality pool. The vitality pool is set to 36c and allows users to turn on hydrotherapy jets as they please while relaxing. There is also a set up of chairs outside which allow you to relax outside on warmer days.

The Beach Hut

As you walk into the relaxation suite you are greeted to one side by a beach hut, this is home to the completely unique beach hut experience. While we didn’t book into the beach hut this time we have used it in the past and it is a really interesting treatment idea.

The Beach Hut replicates a day at the beach from sunrise to sunset, relaxing music is piped into the room, while essential oils help you really feel by the side of the sea.

This treatment sees you laying on a warm bed of sand (which I have been told a number of the people who regularly visit the spa say is good for their fibromyalgia and I can well believe it having experienced it). Once laying down the treatment is set in action and all you need to do it lay back and put your hands and feet in the sand if you want.

What was our overall opinion?

Once again we both enjoyed our time at the Three Horseshoes, and we would both definitely be happy to go back.

We found all the staff we came across extremely helpful and friendly, the hotel had lifts making it disability friendly, while the spa was all on the ground level and offered disabled changing facilities which were kindly opened for me. The only issue within the spa itself was the movement of the steps going into the vitality pool and the plunge pool, I personally would have felt more at ease, if they didn’t wobble quite so much.

I would most definitely recommend the Mill Wheel Spa to anyone who is looking for a spa day around Leek, the fact they offer some treatments that are so different is amazing and the Three Horseshoes really offers a friendly atmosphere towards all its guests.

You can, of course, find out more about the Three Horseshoe Inn & Spa on their website as well as book vouchers from buyagift, with the package we went on costing £319.

What do you think about the sound of the Three Horseshoes, would you fancy a spa day there?

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