Posted: 20.04.26
What originally inspired you to get into the spa and wellbeing sphere?
I joined The Body Shop aged 20, in the 1980s, when it was rising to prominence as a beauty industry disruptor. I was drawn to it because of its campaigning – in particular I found Anita Roddick to be inspiring beyond measure with everything she stood for in terms of her values and her vision – a true pioneer.
When they made the decision to enter the spa industry, I was seconded to head up the project, opening the first Body Shop spa in Knightsbridge.
Immediately I noticed the transition from having a nice but brief exchange with someone on the retail floor to enjoying more intimate and transformative interactions with spa guests; I loved seeing the difference to our guests from when they entered the treatment room to when they left and it was here that I fell in love with spa and wellbeing.
How would you explain what you do?
As General Manager at Wildsmith, my role is really to lead and guide an incredible group of individuals on our quest to bring an exciting, different form of science-backed, plant powered skincare and wellbeing experiences to the market.
Where do you usually find inspiration for your work?
You can trace everything we do at Wildsmith back to the profound connection between plants and humans. We take our inspiration from the fragile balance of the natural world’s growth and renewal and then weave in the very latest in scientific innovation to create products and wellbeing experiences to transform skin health.
We have a quote in our office by Albert Einstein which states ‘Look deep into nature and then you will start to understand everything better’ – I think that really sums it up.
We are proud to stock Wildsmith products in all our hotels and Spas.
You have a day away from work, what would be your ideal way to spend it?
Increasingly meaningful connection is important to me and my own sense of wellbeing, be that with friends, nature, or my community. And so, if I do have a day away from work, my ideal way to spend it is to get out of town and head into the South Downs for a fantastic walk with friends or family.
Through my years working in wellbeing and particularly with Wildsmith, I have found there is a sense of peace and freedom in nature that facilitates enjoying much deeper exchanges. Whether about something personal, or reflective, much deeper than you tend to have on a day-to-day basis. Soul soothed; I would head to a really nice pub for lunch.
Best things to do for wellbeing in Brighton?
People sometimes think of ‘wellbeing practices’ as requiring quiet times of contemplation and reflection which can feel at odds with life in a busy town. But I find the sea one of the most exhilarating ways to clear my mind.
I swim year-round along with lots of other women and find it brilliant for my mental health, for friendships, for connection with the space – I adore it. In fact, I recently swam around the Palace Pier and may have finished near the end but was delighted with the achievement.
How to create a sense of wellbeing at home?
Home for me is about cocooning and I am a great believer in the power of creating a space of warmth and welcome. One of the ways in which I do this is to regularly cook for friends and family.
I love finding a recipe in the Saturday papers and heading out to source the ingredients – I am a particular fan of the Sussex Pheasant food trucks and sourcing local ingredients when I can. Then spending the afternoon bringing something delicious together before opening our home to people in the evening – that shared experience is my idea of heaven and wellbeing.
Check-in series #7
No. 15 Bath - Coach House Large Guest Room
If you liked the sound of staying in The Coach House in one of our previous posts, you’ve got the option for a larger room too. These rooms are family-friendly, with space for a cot in all rooms, and room for our fun mini teepees. Keep them entertained with toys and Yoto Players with story-filled cards during your stay
We’ve got a few rooms left for the Bank Holiday and Half Term. Catch the summer feeling with a family getaway
📸 @wearethelesueurs @alldadstalk, @allmumstalk
No. 124 Brighton can make your seaside wedding dreams come true! 💍🌊
Take over @pearlycowbrighton or The Courtyard for the day, or go all-out with the whole house...
📸: @charlotterebeccaphoto
Things to do in Brighton - save for inspiration 🔖
@artistsopenhouses - 16-17th and 23rd-25th May - visit local artists’ homes and studios
@brightonfestival - until 25th May - celebrate the 60th Brighton Festival with theatre, music, dance, circus, art and family events
@brightonfringe - until 31st May - comedy, cabaret, theatre and pop-up shows
UB40 - 1st June - get your tickets for the big indoor concert
London to Brighton bike ride finish - 21st June - cheer at the finish line
@royalpaviliongardens - one of the city’s best-known landmarks, a great addition to your trip
The Lanes and North Laine - Explore indie shops, vintage stores and street art
Re-introducing some of the things that just make sense at GuestHouse
Our very own...
Signature scent with @oastandrye
Bespoke @ivyandduke dog beds
Curated newspaper
Our candles and reed diffusers in `Persia` create the memory of a stay through scent (available to purchase in our hotels!). We welcome our four-legged friends with their very own dog set-up for those all important naps 💤 And, if there`s one place to find out about all the happenings in the hotels and beyond, it`s by flicking through our seasonal newspaper
Bath summer stay incoming
Need a little help choosing the room for you? Scroll for interior design inspo and we`ll see you when you get here
Supawstars at GuestHouse 🐾
Gus - @katharinee.anne
Max - @sofiacolturanigrassi
Spoon - @spoon_iggy
Moose - @moosethecockapoo_
Darla
Bonnie - @sophie.m.robinson
Kobe - @kobeshowdog
Odie - @odies_adventuress
Louis - @npanagarry
GUESTS WHO...
can’t wait for summer
conquer goals
celebrate milestones
care about the little details
Which guest are you?
Re-introducing some of the things that just make sense at GuestHouse
Coffee and tea stations with a twist ☕️🫖
Open for a surprise! Some of our rooms at No. 1 York and No. 15 Bath have a whimsical doll`s house and some of our rooms at our beachside properties, No. 42 Margate and No. 124 Brighton, have beach huts. Inside you`ll find everything you need for a morning brew, afternoon cuppa or bedtime wind down!
Just making sure that your Bank Holiday weekend plans include some drinks at The Terrace Bar, @pearlycowbrighton. The vibe? Music by @coops.png tonight and then sea-views and sips until the sun goes down 🌊
Top to toe glow in 90 or 120 minutes ✨
We start with the back scrub to awaken the skin before moving onto a tension-releasing back, neck and shoulder massage. Then it’s down to a rejuvenating foot scrub before finishing with a radiating organic facial and scalp massage. Scroll for a virtual experience of the treatment
Walk out with your new glow and use the code TOP2TOE10 for 10% off, only in May at @fieldtripspa
Check-in series #6
No. 42 Margate - Large Guest Room with Sea View and Balcony
If the beach right at your doorstep and opening the doors to a private balcony with front row sea views sounds like your beach dream come true, you’ll want to be making yourself comfortable in of these rooms. These rooms have a separate bath and shower and a super-king size bed. This is one for those who not only want a room with a view but want to be part of it.
And if you’re travelling from London, we’re less than 1.5hrs with @se_railway!
What`s your `that makes it a staycation` moment?
Making time for a proper breakfast
Zero plans
Going all out - pamper time!
An extra long lie in
A late-night tipple
Tell us in the comments...
We`re very much ready chilling up here at The Rooftop Bar of No. 42 Margate and we know you are too 🐚🌊
Re-introducing some of the things that just make sense at GuestHouse
Station Luggage Pick-up 🧳
You didn’t pack light and that’s okay. You decided you want to head straight into town, that’s no problem.
When you book a stay with us, we offer complimentary luggage pick-up. Step off, hand over and we’ll whisk your bags back to the hotel for you. Simply share your journey’s schedule, and allow us to handle the heavy lifting 🚆
Zowie and Jack put a ring on it by the sea 💍
Huge congratulations to the happy couple and our first official ceremony at No. 42 Margate!
📸 @tomcawdronphotography
💐 @thedarlingbudsofwade
Browse the room types at No. 124 Brighton to decide where you`ll be spending the night 🔑
The Terrace Bar by @pearlycowbrighton is back for its second summer... and it`s all about the bar
Coastal cocktails, long spritzes, cold rosé and proper sundowners. First come, first served
No. 1 York through the seasons 🍃☀️🍂🌧️
Spring, summer, autumn or winter. Plan ahead staycation or spontaneous getaway to York. Whatever traveller you might be, a trip to York is always a good idea. And less than 2 hours by train from London Kings Cross!
Re-introducing some of the things that just make sense at GuestHouse
If you`re new here, let us show you round...
Starting with our Record Players. If you`re a sing to country, dance to pop, chill with jazz or kick back with rock, we`ve got record players in every room and a library with even more records to take up to your room
P.s If silence is your thing, that`s okay too 😉
Spaces for events of any and every kind
Drop our teams a message if you’re looking for a place for your next conference, team meet-up or something a little more fun
