I came across Ford Madox Ford's 'The Good Soldier: a Tale of Passion' when I was in my teens, in a box of my late grandmother's books.

From taking the waters in Bath and Cheltenham to diamond facials, hot tubs and manicures for men, the art of pampering in the UK has come a long way

The guidebook

Palais Namaskar, Marrakech

Tomorrow: Book now to be at the Brighton Festival (2-31 May). This year's event has been guest directed by Vanessa Redgrave. Highlights include a multi-sensory reworking of the music of Joy Division, the chance to watch Mariella Frostrup film The Book Show, and a talk on "the world's most mysterious continent", Antarctica, with Caroline Lucas MP. (brightonfestival.org).

Tomorrow: Harry Potter's back – but this time it's the studio wizardry of the films that takes centre stage. The Warner Studio Tour opens today in Leavesden Studios, Hertfordshire, where the movies were shot. Visitors have the chance to walk through the Great Hall at Hogwarts School, peer into the Ministry of Magic, and ... potter along Diagon Alley. Props, gowns, models, monsters and green-screen gimmickry: it's all on dazzling display. Asked at the preview day what goes into butter beer (on sale at £2.95 a glass), the tour guide said, simply: "Magic." Tickets (£28) must be bought in advance (wbstudiotour.co.uk).

In the never-ending search for eternal youth, nothing is considered too extreme or, in light of a new treatment from Siberia, too unnervingly gross. The snail facial (a Snaicial?) is said to restore weather-beaten skin to its luminescent best, thanks to an active ingredient in the snotty snail slime that beats wrinkles and helps to heal scars and burns.

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Sir Paul Stephenson yesterday defended the spa visit that led to his resignation. He quit as Met Commissioner after it emerged that he had accepted a free stay at Champney's while it was being promoted by former News of the World deputy editor Neil Wallis – who was also hired by the Met as a PR consultant.

Barefoot luxury with Thai flair

To advance their cause, the occupiers should have taken the riot police head to lunch

A glittering array of writers of fiction, poetry and politics will appear at the Independent Bath Literature Festival from next Friday. John Walsh looks forward to 10 days celebrating the written word.

The Hotel

The Park Hotels in India have launched a stylish property in Goa. The 30-bedroom retreat is on Candolim Beach and has a spa.

Go to Theparkhotels.com