I am looking for something a bit special for a few days break - end of January - February. I am thinking of a fancy place for a few days followed by a smart B&B for another couple of nights.

The preference would be for Scotland / far north of England but prepared to consider anywhere really.

Any ideas?

Mrs Ed was given a voucher for a spa session at this place in East Lothian recently and she came back raving about it.

Another place we both went to thanks to a certain accrual of "points" was here in the Lake District. An added attraction was the proximity to Beatrix Potter country, also a steam railway the other side of the car park - not sure if it would run at this time of year though.

That's the kind of thing, thanks

Chewton glen is top notch, and then have a couple of nights in Poole or Bournemouth. It is stunning, and I know not up north.

Have been many times

It does look really cool, and the 50th anniversary is quite apt too, but £800 p/n + Spa treatments is a bit steep for me

I have found a really good deal on the Grand Hotel & Spa in York but as we come from there I'm not too sure Mrs BB would be happy with going there.

There's a place in Derbyshire that my wife used to go to - can't remember the details, but she said it was fab. I'll try to find out more.

Derbyshire might work, cheers.

Matlock, perchance?

Ok, found somewhere. Went for Northumberland in the end. Smashing looking place with all the Spa features, really good online reviews and a steal through Secret Escapes.

We love Northumberland. Check out NT's Cragside, the first house powered by hydro-electric - amongst the county's many other treasures such as Holy Island (at low tide ) if you've never been.

I would rather eat my own excrement than go to a Spa for the weekend. In fact what they serve as food could well mean I have!

Oh, not keen then?

Surely belting through Eau Rouge is far from relaxing?

What led you into thinking that

But could possibly have a similar effect..

I suspect there is an element of me totally agreeing with you John. But this break isn't really for me. It is for my good lady as she reaches a life milestone. She wants a bit of pampering for a few days and I'm just tagging along. I'm sure I'll find something to do to keep me amused