USP The Tor Spa retreat is set in the beautiful Kent countryside just outside Canterbury, in the picturesque village of Ickham. Perhaps unexpectedly, this is an authentic, Ayurvedic retreat, with practitioners flown in from Kerala to ensure the experience is as close to the real McCoy as possible. "If you get the chance to go to an Ayurvedic retreat in India, then go, if not, come here," says Ky, the owner and manager.

AMBIENCE Set in pretty surroundings, the gardens include a pond with a tiny island where you can go and relax. The actual spa building is an old hangar, but is tastefully decorated and spacious. It contains an indoor pool, sauna, several treatment rooms and two relaxation areas. In the first there are comfy sofas and easy chairs, the other has cushions strewn on the floor and a view over the pond. If you want to stay overnight, rather than use the retreat as a day spa (£70), there are two bedrooms, which also overlook the pond. And for those for whom rest and relaxation will take longer than a few hours to achieve, the Panchakarma detox package for three, five, seven,14 or 21 days is popular (£170 per day). It's not a luxury spa, but good for a down-to-earth escape with reasonable prices.

EXPERIENCE I had the Alepam Fresh Fruit Facial (£45 for an hour) given to me by Jaya, a Keralan practitioner who is also a medical doctor back home in India. Initially I wasn't sure if it was going to be sufficiently relaxing but five minutes in I was unconscious and that's usually a good sign. Jaya used fresh apple, cucumber, carrot, grape and avocado in the face mask and it felt as refreshing and healthy as it sounds.

IN CROWD They welcome everyone from hen weekenders to people who are there to seriously detox. The atmosphere is friendly and calm, as mother-and-daughter teams, groups of friends and solitary spa-goers relax while reading books from the intriguingly stocked library (lots of doom-laden dream analysis books as well as the chance to brush up on your ayurveda), leisurely swimming and indulging in treatments.

FOOD The teas are fantastic, made from scratch using cardamom and other spices. The food is healthy and vegetarian but if you're staying for a while and fancy some variety there are local pubs with great food. The spa promises it won't judge you for slipping off the detox wagon.

WALLET WATCH A day at the spa, with lunch, use of all the facilities and a robe, towel and slippers costs £70, any treatments cost extra. A 45-minute foot massage costs £35, a 30-minute back and shoulder massage costs £30, a two-therapist steam, exfoliation and massage costs £65.

NEED TO KNOW Tor Spa Retreat, Ickham, Canterbury, Kent CT3 1QN (01227728500; www.torsparetreat.com)

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