An enormous swimming pool beckons at Seaham Hall's Serenity Spa

If you’re more about facials than forays the countryside, cut a dash to the Serenity Spa at Seaham Hall. This enormous shrine to relaxation - one of the largest spas in the North East - has everything you might need to unwind, from a 20-metre circular pool with massage stations to outdoor hot tubs shrouded by woodland. The 13 treatment rooms are decked out in teak and limestone and run treatments using Elemis and Darphin products. The Serenity Wellbeing Massage with warm, aromatic pure oils, is a treat indeed and well worth devoting 50 minutes of your life to. Make sure you pay a trip to the hammam jacuzzi and spacious black granite steam room as well. Finish off your not-so-arduous day with a trip to the spa's Ozone restaurant, a slick Pan Asian eatery with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside and delights such as green Tiger prawn curry and freshly made duck pancakes on offer.

Getting there and away

Durham is a four and a half hour car ride from London or you could fly to nearby Newcastle or Durham Tees Valley airports. A great way of getting to the city for a quick weekend break is by train - there are 16 mainline services from London and East Coast tickets start from £30 return. Upgrade to first class here and you'll have a meal thrown on the evening service, so you can speed up North while feasting on a fillet of bream and apple and quince crumble, washed down with a cooling gin and tonic.

Standard advance returns between London and Durham start from £30 on East Coast trains - for further information on times and fares, and to book, visit eastcoast.co.uk or call 08457 225 225

Rooms at the Radisson Blu Durham start at £89, radissonblu.co.uk/hotel-durham

A Sublime Serenity for One day spa package at Seaham Hall's Serenity Spa is £165 for two hours of expertly administered treatments, including the Serenity Body Polish, Serenity Bespoke Massage and a Serenity Facial, a two-course lunch in the renowned Ozone Restaurant and full use of all spa facilities from 9am to 5pm

Destination guide: Durham