Alice Payne tries a spa experience that harnesses coastal healing for extra relaxation. Powerful, rumbling vibrations are forming and fading beneath me like ocean waves, in synchrony with sounds of the Hebridean sea. Swathed in blankets and cocooned in darkness, this intense sensory experience feels as though I'm lying on the seabed whilst the earth's plates shift gently around me. It's enveloping and unusually meditative. Far from the seabed, I'm actually lying on a vibroacoustic bed as part of an immersive, post-treatment sound bath at Seaham Hall's Serenity Spa. This 30-minute Swell experience is an encore to the Five Senses Sound Ritual I've just enjoyed – a massage and facial treatment that incorporates elements of the sea to healing effect. As a combination, it's impressively relaxing. I'm visiting Seaham Hall, a five-star country house hotel on Durham's Heritage coast, to try their newly-launched Blue Health spa and wellness package
All the products below come from British high street retailers or online stores that deliver to the UK, so if you order now you ll still have plenty of time to have the presents wrapped for Christmas.
They’re all made in – or inspired by – Scotland
I like to think of this week’s column as a bit of an ode to a Scottish urn – or, more accurately, a pot and some pump dispensers. It’s not that I’m setting off on a Prince William-style charm offensive up north – though, of course, if called on to do so by my industry (and country) I’m very happy to book a train ticket. Just say the word.
But there is a nod to Scotland in beauty at the moment. Firstly, there’s Ishga, an organic seaweed brand based in the Hebrides and enjoying a pop-up residency at The Bamford Wellness Spa at London’s Berkeley hotel. I experienced their Immune Boosting Ritual (£160 for 90 minutes, the-berkeley.co.uk) and it was excellent. It deployed one of my favourite products of theirs – the Hebridean Sea Salt Scrub (£16) which uses local sea salts blended with jojoba, thistle and almond oils. Also great is its Hydrating Hand Cream (£28, both uk.ishga.com) with seaweed extract, argan oil a