The stunning, stylish and salubrious Ockenden Manor is hosting several Strength & Restore Spa Days in 2026. Led by strength training expert and qualified fitness instructor Emma Varley, this spa day in Sussex will leave you feeling motivated, confident in your abilities and completely refreshed.
Ockenden Manor is a luxurious Elizabethan manor house with an outstanding spa and an award-winning restaurant. It is located less than an hour from London or 30-minutes from Brighton.
Ockenden Manor is up there with one of my top 5 Spa Days in Sussex. It is a wonderful place to retreat and relax in a charming environment, where the staff are attentive, and you can forget life’s stressors momentarily.
Strength and Restore Day Group Workshop
The day starts with a relaxed group workshop led by Emma. Step into the beautiful surroundings of Ockenden Manor, where you will be welcomed with a delicious, fresh green smoothie. Emma is both warm and welcoming, with the group kept small and comfortable.
There were six ladies in total for our workshop, which felt just right. We spent the next hour or so hearing about Emma’s expertise in the industry, her inspiring journey in overcoming a back injury and we received practical tips on how to work on our strength.
Emma works with clients aged 13 to 75+, which demonstrates just how important strength training is throughout the life cycle. She believes everyone can lift weights and improve their day-to-day life by becoming stronger.
Practical Strength Training Class
We then moved on to the spa facilities, where we took a practical strength-training class under Emma’s supportive and watchful eye. We completed 4 rounds of 6 stations, each targeting a different muscle group. Emma was supportive in ensuring our posture and stances were correct. We were free to ask any questions we may have had, ensuring we left the class confident in our abilities.
We were each given a worksheet with a number of strength exercises on it to take home as a reminder. I have used them in the gym since, and some of the exercises I learned are now a staple in my weekly gym routine.
I must say, Emma is an excellent role model for anyone considering getting into weight training.
Lunch at Ockenden Manor
Having worked up an appetite, we sauntered over to the award-winning restaurant, a beautiful, light and airy space overlooking the luscious greenery of Cuckfield Park. There are 2 courses included in the Strength & Restore package; you can choose a starter and main, or main and pudding.
I enjoyed the most delicious home-smoked heritage beetroot salad, which was just incredible. I never thought I would describe beetroot as incredible, but here we are!
For mains, I had a delicious Sussex spring mushroom risotto. My only criticism is the lack of high-protein options for those following a plant-based diet. Having spent the last hour working out, I was expecting more options in this respect.
However, each meal was devoured, and the staff were attentive. The ingredients are locally sourced, whilst the afternoon tea offers an array of homemade biscuits and a relaxing environment for a special occasion.
Unwind in The Spa
I couldn’t wait to delve into the spa, a beautifully designed space where you can swim with ease from the indoor to the outdoor pool. I poured myself a delicious herbal tea, which I enjoyed on one of the many loungers, with a book in hand to allow my lunch to go down.
I was most looking forward to experiencing the thermal suite, which includes a sauna, rainforest-style showers, a scented steam room and an ice fountain. My muscles welcomed the warmth of the sauna following the strength workout.
I had a beautiful outdoor swim in the tranquil surroundings. The guests here seem to respect the peace and quiet, making it a truly relaxing experience.
I spent the next couple of hours alternating between the lounger with my book, sipping herbal teas, enjoying the outdoor hot tub and the thermal suite.
For those looking to develop fitness, increase strength, stability and overall health, within the backdrop of this historic location, the Strength & Restore Retreat is a great taster session, where you will leave feeling motivated and refreshed.
I left the Strength & Restore day feeling super-relaxed and ready for an early night!
Remaining Dates
Tuesday 20th October 2026
Tuesday 10th November 2026
Location: Ockenden Lane, Cuckfield , West Sussex, RH17 5LD
For more information: Wellness Retreats: Strengths and Restore