'I visited the riverside hotel resort where Lionesses and Olympians trained'

As I laced up my trainers and made my way to the squash court, I was following in the footsteps of Olympians - literally, if not figuratively. Having never picked up a raquet before, I spent the next hour trying to master the basics of the fast-paced sport while struggling to predict the pesky rubber ball's trajectory.

Luckily for me, The Lensbury Hotel on the banks of the River Thames in Teddington welcomes amateurs and elite sportspeople alike. Previous guests have included Olympic athletes and big names from England Rugby, Manchester United and New Zealand's All Blacks.

And the south west London site was chosen by England's Lionesses as their base during the UEFA Women's EURO 2022 campaign, which saw them storm through the tournament to beat Germany 2-1 in the final at Wembley.

The Lensbury's 25 acres of gardens and grounds steeped in rich sporting history have something for everyone. Located just a 40-minute train journey from central London, it seemed the perfect location for a quick getaway away to lift my mood after the departure of the summer sunshine.

The resort's facilities include two elite level sports pitches for rugby or football, a state-of-the-art heavy weights gym, and 24 tennis courts, plus spin and yoga classes.

And those more at home the water can practically roll out of bed and onto the Thames at the watersports centre, which offers a variety of sessions and craft including sculling boats, kayaks, canoes and sailing dinghies.

After checking into one of the hotel's 155 rooms, I was looking forward to a canoeing session. But in a classic display of English autumn weather the heavens opened as we were due to head out. Observing that I was lacking in both raincoat and mettle, a friendly member of staff helpfully recommended a visit to the squash courts instead.

At the end of an exhausting but brilliantly fun hour, there was time to check out the swimming facilities with a few lengths of the 25m heated pool, followed by a stint in the small but satisfying sauna. Finally, I stopped by the spa for a quick gel nail manicure before dinner. Other treatments on offer included facials, massages, salt scrubs and intriguing spa rituals lasting up for up to two hours.

Wandering along the paths between the facilities, it was easy to see why professionals would choose to train among the manicured grounds bordered by the river.

The hotel's main building is a blend of old and new, adorned with mementoes showcasing the site's 100-year sporting heritage. The newly opened members-only Dunbar Lounge was the perfect sport for a relaxed lunchtime bite.

And for dinner we chose a window table overlooking the lush grounds in the Lounge Restaurant. The food - I ordered mushroom and black truffle tagliatelle with parmesan cream for £18 - was simple but satisfying and delicious.

Our deluxe twin room featured Egyptian cotton sheets, air-conditioning, a large flat-screen TV, desk and comfortable seating area, plus reliable Wifi which did not let us down when we logged on to get some work done.

After a peaceful night's sleep away from the all-hours noise of central London, there was a generous spread on offer at breakfast including all the usual hot and continental options, cereals, muffins and fruit and yoghurt.

We had little time to explore the local area while busy enjoying the resort. But during a quick five-minute walk to Teddington High street we passed found boutique stores, coffee shops, restaurants and pubs.

I thoroughly enjoyed making the most of the sporting facilities during my stay and, despite my inexperience, felt warmly welcomed. Although the resort can cater to the specific needs of elite sportsmen and women or dedicated members, it also has plenty to offer families and those who are not so athletically inclined.

Rooms start from £106 per night and a standard solo adult annual membership totals £2,678, payable in monthly instalments.