Manor House. Great Hall. Winding paths. You see Mr D’Arcy yet? At the Galgorm Resort and Spa, just 30 minutes out of Belfast, trembling upper lips might quiver in anticipation, liberated by the unbridled joy of driving through grand gates, along winding paths through magnificent trees. If you are not immediately struck by the grandeur of Galgorm’s Manor House, your heart is of stone Mr D’Arcy. Stone!

And breathe. Undo the corsets girls. Gentlemen, kick off your riding boots. Galgorm’s Manor House it’s central building, used to be an eighteenth century gentleman’s residence. Today, it’s where a Middleton can forget herself and ascend the luxury scale.

Following numerous extensions, Galgorm now boasts 75 spacious rooms, two restaurants, stables, residential cottages and a world class spa. I said, world class spa: not the pond D’Arcy jumps in to achieve his sleek wet look.

The spa is tranquil, looking out over the River Maine. The guest of honour arising from the river is its resident heron, not Mr Darcy unfortunately; maybe that’s what they should name him.  None the less you can still indulge in the thermal spa experience, an ancient ritual involving different levels of heat to purify and relax the body and mind.

After lounging by the outdoor hot tub it would be rude not to visit one of the two restaurants. Gillies Bar and Grill offers a plethora of locally grown fresh food in a relaxed setting. The walls are adorned with paintings of cow’s faces a la Paul Bell, a local artist. To some this may be off putting as you tuck into your steak, however you soon forget about the doe eyes glaring at you when your taste buds go into overdrive.  After dinner, wander into the Mulberry garden on milder evenings to relax or partake in a social beverage with the locals in Gillies pub.

For those who prefer a more formal dinner, The River Room is for you. It has panoramic views over the river, where you can once again catch a glimpse of the heron stealthily fishing for his supper. Thankfully such arduous tasks are not needed to get a fantastic meal here.  With 2 AA rosettes for culinary excellence you will savour every morsel of the seared scallops or the beetroot risotto. Be sure to ask for table eight when booking, it has the best views and may also serve as a romantic charm; there have been quite a few hands in marriage asked for at this table.

Once, or if, the word ‘yes’ has been offered up in response, what better place to hold your wedding than the Galgorm?

In keeping with the fairytale theme, you can get married in the Ghost House or the Phantom Room. Both by the way named after the cars they house; Rolls Royce Ghost and Phantom, Ghost being the latest one.  To round off your special day the new Four Seasons Suite is perfect. Just recently opened, its sports its own entrance and reception, bespoke Italian furniture, chandeliers and a private garden with its own water feature.

Extensive business facilities are also offered including the 62 seat auditorium with state of the art technology. Delegate packages can suit any business needs and the surroundings will hopefully help the creative juices flow.

As you wistfully drive back along the winding lane, you can’t help but glance in the rear view mirror and reflect.  Hazy childhood memories swim back into focus again and for a few seconds you are transported back into that other world, a world of innocence and calm.

The Galgorm Resort and Spa can offer this world, even if only for a short time.