WITH the heatwave we have been enjoying, the charms of an ice hotel have been growing ever more appealing.

But you don’t have to go as far as Iceland, Finland, Sweden or Canada to have a frosty encounter.

Albrighton Hall Hotel and Spa, just outside Shrewsbury, has an ice room – which is deliciously cold during the blistering heat.

Albrighton is part of the Mercure group of hotels and is housed in an 18th century manor house, which boasts 15 acres of gardens and an ornamental lake.

Nearby Albrighton village is mentioned in the Domesday Book – the oldest surviving public record, giving a vivid picture of 11th century England.

And Shrewsbury, a medieval market town with lots of lovely higgedly-piggedly streets, is just a few miles away.

In Shrewsbury’s quirky streets, Tudor craftsmen carved rebellious characters in the walls of half-timbered mansions. If you look closely at some of the buildings on the High Street today, you can spot Margaret Thatcher, Michael Heseltine and Mick Jagger staring back at you!

For shopaholics, there is the longest row of uninterrupted independent shops winding up Wyle Cop.

The Square Plays host to monthly farmers’ markets and fairs, and don’t miss the spring Cartoon Festival, which is held in April and brings a small army of professional cartoonists from all over the UK and overseas to draw for the public.

Shrewsbury Food Festival, held at the end of June each year, has 200 food, drink and craft exhibitors alongside cookery demonstrations, chef school, free kids entertainment, a BBQ stage and more.

For history lovers, the town is lined with half-timbered houses. The medieval, red-brick castle houses the Shropshire Regimental Museum, where military artefacts include uniforms and weaponry. St Chad’s Church features a unique circular nave, and St Mary’s Church has elaborate stained-glass windows.

Our stay at the elegant Albrighton was relaxed from the moment we checked into our room which overlooked the ornamental lake.

While my other half had a bit of a snooze, I headed to the well-equipped gym to burn a few calories.

Later, we hit the spa, enjoying sunloungers and the indoor pool, followed by a relax in the fairly-ferocious jacuzzi.

Then it was into the Thermal Suite, which took you on a wet and dry, warm and cold temperature journey – with a sauna, steam rooms, and an ice room.

I have long been a fan of the steam room, followed by a spell in the jacuzzi, but it was my first experience of ice (in a room that is, not in a drink, of course!).

There was an ice fountain, with a chute delivering ice into a bowl. It was so refreshing after the heat – and supposedly good for the circulation.

Later, the good weather meant that we were able to sit outside to enjoy a drink or two, in an area overlooking the gardens and the lake. You don’t often get a chance to drink al fresco in this country.

Dinner in the 300-year-old panelled Oak Room Restaurant was a delight. Pate for me and spicy prawns for my other half were followed by an amazing belly pork dish for me and steak for him. We were too full for dessert, but the ones coming out of the kitchen looked scrumptious.

There was a solid wine list and I can recommend the G&Ts, from a wide choice of both gins and flavoured tonics.

All too soon we were retiring to bed. The 87 bedrooms in the hotel are divided between the main house, the school master’s house and the stable wing. We were in the wing overlooking the lake and it was tranquillity itself.

After a hearty breakfast, we headed for home, a little sad that we weren’t staying for a second night…

It’s all in the detail

Mercure Shrewsbury Albrighton Hall Hotel and Spa is at Ellesmere Road, Albrighton, Shrewsbury. To book and see latest offers, go to www.mercureshrewsbury.co.uk. You can also reach them by email at [email protected] or on 01939 291000.