I went to the English spa that promises to banish the winter blues with UV rooms and wine vending machines

A WINTER sunshine break to boost your vitamin D? Indoors? In Berkshire?

It might sound bonkers but, believe me, all of that scepticism evaporates as salt-infused water gently bubbles around your legs and the “sun”; canopy comes down.

An overnight stay at Donnington Valley Hotel certainly banished the winter blues with no need to fly anywhere – and we drove past Heathrow on the way.

The hotel’s special Aqua Sun treatment room uses low-level ultra-violet to boost your circulation and nourish your skin.

It has been shown to be an effective psoriasis treatment, gets rid of toxins in the skin and it can even help with SAD (seasonal affective disorder).

For half an hour, I lay there, eyes closed, imagining I was on that white-sand beach with the waves lapping over my feet.

There was the rumbling of the jets and a buzz to get you to turn over every five minutes – probably a good job as I was so relaxed, I would have dozed off.

It’s slightly nerve-racking as you turn it on and the sun canopy starts to descend – but it doesn’t get low enough to be a problem.

It was a bit like half of a sunbed lowering over you. My claustrophobic wife got in with no panic.

The Aqua Sun is the outstanding feature, but Donnington Valley also boasts an impressive spa area with everything you’d expect or need, and the clever poolside lighting even makes you feel as if you’re out enjoying a summer morning.

Lunch in the spa, or afternoon tea if you prefer, was delivered and there’s the well-equipped gym if you feel energetic.

But after a blissful Aqua Sun and time in the “relax room”;, the only thing I was eyeing up was a cocktail – it must be summer, right?

Anything with an umbrella in it please, barkeep.

It was a bit classier than a Del Boy-style pina colada, mind, and dinner in the excellent WinePress restaurant was yummy.

The hazelnut and chocolate sphere – like a giant Ferrero Rocher – was the highlight.

‘Impressive stay'

There’s also a wine vending machine. It’s as good as it sounds – you can top up a card then go and sample wines that you might feel are a little steep to buy the whole bottle.

OK, so it wasn’t warm enough outside for al fresco drinking – but the fireplace in the bar did just fine.

Rooms overlooked the golf course or valley surroundings and, after all that relaxation, “sun”;, drink and food, an excellent night’s sleep was almost guaranteed.

A quality breakfast back in the WinePress capped off an impressive stay – without the need for a stressful flight back home.

The only thing missing was a tan – but we certainly left with that summer glow.