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I want to detox in the New Year but I don't want to start and end a trip with a flight - can you suggest somewhere? Hannah Cane, London

Times Online Spas & Lifestyle Expert Caroline Sylger Jones responds:

I find a full-on detox works best when I'm somewhere quiet, with as much one-to-one attention as I need, which is why I'd recommend The Fisher King Centre, a simple, warm, homely place set off a quiet residential road in Glastonbury.

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There’s just one well-tested six-day detox on offer all year round for £850 all inclusive. It takes a maximum of four people each week, so you will be assured of personal attention from colleagues Michael O'Connell, a nutritionist, iridologist, bodyworker and dedicated vegan, and Fiona Bruce, a colon hydrotherapist and reflexologist, who have been running detoxes here for more than ten years.

They are calm and compassionate, with an expert knowledge of nutrition. Your personal programme will be devised following a consultation, though it's likely you’ll have a session of colonic hydrotherapy with Fiona every other day, and daily treatments such as Thai, deep-tissue, Indian head and aromatherapy massage, shiatsu, reflexology or acupuncture carried out in a simple, blue loft room. The house is a 20-minute walk from Glastonbury Tor, with circular walks from the door.

If you're not quite up for a full-on detox, try a break to kickstart a healthier new you. The zesty Amanda Hamilton is running one from 24-27 January at Cameron House in Scotland (from £425 in a shared room) that includes yoga, pilates, personal training, massages, personal nutritional consultations and a cleansing diet.

If you can hang on until March the new Ultimate Detox at New Park Manor in the New Forest offers a ten-day programme that combines talks on nutrition with daily meditation, Hatha yoga and vigorous Nordic walking through the adjoining forest. It's all facilitated by Austrian health coach Sabine Savisalo-Schuh and her team of professionals, which include a sports nutritionist and yoga teacher. We've not tried and tested the programme yet but we have been down to the hotel spa to meet with Sabine and try out some of the treatments and it looks promising.

The hotel’s fairly isolated location – plus the fact that all guests will be on the programme - will ensure that distractions are minimal. Guests will also be able to use the spa’s facilities, including a sanarium, outdoor hot tub, foot spa and gym. There are relaxing spa treatments on offer, too, such as the spa’s signature Herb and Hay massage, designed to aid lymphatic drainage by using warmed compresses filled with detoxifying herbs such as chamomile and lavender. It is also recommended to be used as a daily liver compress after lunch - a spoonful or two of porridge and raw juice. Prices start from £1,895 for a shared room and the programme also runs in March and April.

For more detox choices see Body & Soul Escapes: Britain & Ireland (£8) by Caroline Sylger Jones, published by Footprint Books (see carolinesylgerjones.co.uk).

Body & Soul Escapes, which covers the world is £9, buy both books for just £15 (plus £2 P&P for UK orders) - that’s a saving of £19.98 and nearly 60 per cent. Visit www.footprintbooks.com/bodyandsoul and enter the following coupon codes at checkout:

Body & Soul Escapes - code bands09 ; Body & Soul Escapes: Britain & Ireland - code bandsbi ; to purchase a copy of each - code bands2.

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