Margate has a long tradition of wellness, well before the term came part of popular vernacular. In 1736 Thomas Barber created the first sea water bath in England here, and the town also lays claim to the first deck chairs beside the seaside, beside the sea.
In 1937, the Walpole Bay Tidal Pool opened in Cliftonville just outside of Margate. The Grade II listed structure covers four acres to a depth of six feet, and is one of the largest – if not the largest – in the UK. In recent years it has seen a surge of interest from wild swimmers.
Haeckels House
A more recent addition is Haeckels House, which offers treatments composed by the ocean including Thalassotherapy or seaweed therapy, including seaweed wraps, baths and scrubs. The project started in 2012 with one seaweed harvest producing a bar of soap, and has now expanded to London and even the Maldives. They have a licence to harvest seaweed in Margate.
Initially Haeckels was just a shop selling skin care and body care products, but the owners bought the upstairs flat and converted it into a spa – Haeckels House – seven years ago, managed by Lorna.
The downstairs area has a living moss floor, which according to Kate, who has worked here for a year, is based on the Ridley Scott film The Martian, staring Matt Damon.
One of the treatment rooms is downstairs, creating a cave-like experience, but the others are upstairs with sea views.
Despite my unannounced visit, Lorna was happy to show me the upstairs reception area – the treatment rooms were busy – and offered me a seaweed broth consisting of seaweed, forest mushroom and Irish moss, which is full of collagen and minerals, as well as a beetroot probiotic made from fermented beetroot kvass and some energy balls.
These are supposed to be excellent for your gut. The broth is given to guests prior to their treatment with the probiotic afterwards. I really liked the broth, but cannot say how beneficial it was for my gut, especially as I followed it with an afternoon tea at the Walpole Bay hotel.
According to Kate, they have lots of customers both in the shop and for the treatments upstairs.
Both Kate and Lorna were extremely friendly and the ambience was really relaxing. This is a quite wonderful place with great views.
Sea Scrub Sauna on Margate Beach
Even more recent is Sea Scrub Sauna, which was set up on Margate Beach, opposite Dreamland in May 2023.
A year on, and Sea Scrub Sauna has two saunas, one of which is a wood-fired stove Nordic barrel sauna, similar to the one I experienced at Iglupark in Estonia, as well as an Electric Steam sauna. They also have four plunge barrels where you can cool off.
The Nordic barrel provides a more intense heat and feels more like a traditional sauna, however the electric one has wonderful views across the beach. I would suggest the latter if you are more into a social sauna and a chinwag with friends, but the former if you wish to work up a sweat.
According to manager Ed, who moved to Margate from Hackney and stokes up the saunas when not DJing, the saunas are particularly popular for events, such as the Full Moon Party session, and hen nights. Saunas cost £90 for a private session with an extra £5 for a scrub, or £15 for an hour’s social sauna session. There are discounts for members.
There is also a Sea Scrub Sauna along the coast in Whitstable.
Turner Sunset and a Walk along the English Coast Path
If you want a free wellness session in Margate, nothing can beat sitting on the seafront and watching one of the town’s memorable sunsets. They really are quite amazing.
Alternatively, you can walk along the beach from towards Botany Bay, where there is an undesignated naturalist beach, or along the English Coast Path all the way to Broadstairs. You can also cycle along the Viking Coastal Trail to Viking Bay.
Whichever stretch you decide to cycle or walk, we suggest you check out the times of the tides, as the walk is much more spectacular at low tide, and there is a danger of becoming cut off at high tide.
And why not end your walk back at Walpole Bay Tidal Pool and then pop into the Walpole Bay Hotel for afternoon tea.
Wellness in Margate
For more information on wellness in Margate and the things to do in the Isle of Thanet, go to www.visitthanet.co.uk.
All images: Mark Bibby Jackson.
