Welcome to Botanicals Organic Beauty & Wellness Studio, our flagship spa & retail experience situated in the beautiful town of Bakewell, Derbyshire.
Botanicals was founded nearly 20 years ago by marketing specialist Wendy Stirling, after daughter Zoe suffered a skin reaction to a ‘natural’ shampoo.
“I began to research – and was quite disturbed by the misleading claims and the hype surrounding products on the market,” says Wendy.
“I hadn’t thought about it before, but terms like ‘natural’ and ‘organic’ can apply to a tiny percentage of ingredients. The more I researched it, the more concerned I became about what was actually in these things.”
Integrity had always been important to her – naturally organic, ethical and sustainable products. But misleading labelling in the cosmetics industry (now known as ‘green washing’), made finding what she wanted almost impossible; so she set about making her own.
Wendy started in an outbuilding at her home near Melton Mowbray, experimenting with natural oils and butters combined with mineral salts, clays and organic botanicals from aloe vera and bergamot to tea tree and ylang ylang.
Products were tried out on family and friends, proving such a hit that she set up a stall at a local fair – and Botanicals was born.
Determined to stick to her principles, Wendy sought official accreditation, becoming one of the first brands ever to be certified by the Soil Association.
Botanicals remains one of only a handful to be 100% certified – all raw materials must be grown to standard and traceable to source and rigorous annual inspections are carried out.
The company has gone from strength to strength, supplying practitioners,
spa centres and customers including Claridge’s Hotel in Mayfair with its award-winning range.
Six years ago the company expanded production into an old hunting lodge near Melton Mowbray. And in 2021, Botanicals branched out again – to launch its first day spa store and wellness studio.
When it came to finding a suitable location, Bakewell was Wendy’s first choice. Her husband, David, grew up in the Peak District and it had always been her second home.
“These premises came up and I thought it would be perfect for Botanicals,” she says.
“There’s nothing else like this in the area. The timing is perfect too. Wellness is important to everyone at this time and you’d have to go a long way to get this level of experience.”
Botanicals opened in Diamond Court, off Water Street in October and is already proving a big hit with customers.
The premises have been designed by Wendy: a series of elegant, relaxing spaces with organic cotton towels and hand made ceramics to complement the Botanicals range.
From being one of the first ever beauty brands to be certified by the Soil Association, Botanicals is today still one of only a few brands to be 100% certified. In other words, every single Botanicals product has passed the Soil Association’s strict organic and sustainability reviews thus ensuring their quality, integrity and transparency.
Oils, balms, washes, scrubs and lotions are all 100% natural, vegan friendly, never tested on animals, organic and hand made – and a ‘try before you buy’ policy offers free consultations and samples to customers who aren’t familiar with the products.
Wendy has hand picked a team of highly-experienced practitioners to deliver treatments on site: Belinda Schwark, a specialist in holistic massage, who has worked internationally in five-star spas. Jay Brazier, who specialises in facials, pedicures and manicures, and honed her skills as a Virgin Atlantic in-flight beauty therapist. Libby Knifton-Smith, a highly qualified reflexologist who is also trained in cancer touch therapy. And our Reiki Master and Holistic Facial practitioner Sarah Bennett, trained in the Usui Tradition of Reiki and also Advanced Crystal Healing.
