I have a suggestion for you. Instead of spending a weekend pounding the pavements at home/jogging on a treadmill at the gym/indulging in retail therapy in the West End/slumping in front of the telly with a pizza...... why not treat yourself to some real therapy and head for the heart of the country?

i've recently been won over by Rutland. Where? Well, exactly – it's a bit of an insider secret to be honest. our smallest county (16 miles across at its widest point) has recently reclaimed its independence from Leicestershire and now is proudly asserting itself with all its charms as a rather lovely destination.

And if keeping fit is your thing, it'll be perfect for you. Apart from some picturesque little towns (and not a single MacDoanlds, Burger King or KFC in the whole county!) Rutland pretty much is Rutland Water – a huge man-made lake (two villages were scarficied to create it back in the '70s) and so windsurfing, sailing, canoeing, cruising and fishing are big Rutland activities. It also has a track all the way round it, so jogging, cycling and walking are also on the 'to-do' list.

if all that sounds a bit strenuous there's an answer to that. It's called Barnsdale Lodge, a hotel that sits very handily on the north shore of the water and is just the right mix of impressive, luxurious, cosy and friendly – particularly friendly – and with great food. The fact that the hotel allows well-behaved dogs to stay (in the downstairs rooms) and has special cosy beds for them around the place, speaks volumes to me. And, joy of joys, it offers a brilliant spa service into the bargain.

Before dinner I treated myself to a manicure in the hotel's treatment room. It's run by the extremely empathetic Tamara, who, together with her mother, owns Vicienté, a spa and wedding gown business in nearby Oakham. Pampering brides (Barnsdale holds a wedding license) is just one aspect of her menu – lucky them, Neal's Yard Remedies is her skincare brand of choice. An holistic approach to beauty using natural and organic products is definitely a Tamara USP. That and a great manicure – my OPI-coloured nails remain unchipped a whole week later (unheard of!).

But if you wanted something a little more intense, shall we say, the spa also offers a variety of facials and body massages, as well as therapies such as reiki and reflexology. Prices start from £7 and £9 for facial hair removal and an eyebrow shape, up to £70 for the classic and extremely involved Dr Hauschka treatment, which needs to be taken at the Oakham salon (as do any treatments involving showering and baths).

Country air has a way of bringing out the glutton in us (or is that just me?) so by morning I was more than ready for a hearty breakfast. Locally produced sausage and bacon, eggs from the chickens that are in a run outside (next to the hotel's Highland cattle) and marmalade made in the hotel – what's not to love?

Barnsdale Lodge, The Avenue, Rutland Water, Near Oakham, Rutland LE15 8QH. tel: 01572 724678 www.barnsdalelodge.co.uk

Tariff: from £85 for a single room, low season, to £150 for a superior double/twin room in high season, per night, including VAT and full English breakfast.