Jade & Dan and their unique seaweed spa in Dorset

30th April 2025

Beautiful UK destinations

Sae Seaweed is not a place you’ll discover when searching online for “Spa breaks Dorset” – it is one of those truly unique businesses which stands out from the crowd and you just don’t come across every day. While it’s clear just how much hard work goes into it, this beautiful wellness spa on the Dorset coastline feels like more than just a business—it’s a way of life for its founders, Jade and Dan. They’ve personally experienced the powerful healing benefits of seaweed baths, which have played a significant role in their own deep and very real health journeys—something Jade shares more about on their website.

A visit to Sae Seaweed Spa offers more than just relaxation: it’s a rejuvenating seaweed soak set against the stunning backdrop of the National Trust’s Middle Beach in Studland. This is spa therapy reimagined, far removed from the conventional hotel-style spas that can often feel more about passing time than nurturing well-being. Jade and Dan’s vision brings something refreshingly different, inspiring and a type of restorative few hours which feels genuine.

We first discovered Sae Seaweed Spa through an image of Jade we spotted online. She was wearing our PS dark olive Waterproof Parka, and we reached out to see if she’d be happy for us to share her photo as a PS customer. That simple connection led us to learn more about her incredible journey. Like many of our customers, she’s living a full and interesting life, and her story we definitely wanted to hear. In her own words below, Jade shares just a glimpse (we’re sure) of the challenges, lifestyle, and the passion she and Dan pour into their sustainable venture by the sea.

What are your earliest memories of foraging?

Like most of us as a child my early foraging moments were picking berries and getting stung by nettles, my understanding of foraging has of course developed running our businesses but it has made me come to realise how our childhood memories of nature instill in us a deep, intrinsic respect for the land and the natural resources that sustain us. I didn’t know it at the time, but these small acts were shaping my relationship with the natural world. Nature helps us to appreciate that although the earth provides in abundance we need to approach it with care, respect, and mindfulness.

As an adult, when I look back on those days, I understand more fully the value of foraging and the wisdom it imparts. Foraging isn’t just about finding food—it is about connecting with the environment and it can be a humble, joyful experience, learning to recognize the gifts it offers, and even learning from its little challenges, like the nettle sting.

And now, when I find myself walking in the woods or along the shoreline, I can’t help but feel the same sense of wonder I had as a child, knowing that foraging—whether it’s for berries, herbs, or seaweed—connects me to something bigger, something intrinsic in us all that’s been part of the human experience for millennia. I am passionate about keeping that connection alive and I love the thrill of discovering what the earth can offer you to use, eat, or heal yourself with which has been a big driver for me setting up Sae as an extension of Fore / Adventure.

One part of our business which excites us at PS is chatting to people on the other side of the globe who’ve heard about what we do. Where do your visitors come from and do you have a large community of regular visitors to your retreat?

Our visitors come from all corners of the world but we do get a lot of repeat locals using the spa as part of their regular routines. It’s incredible how much interest there is in what we’re doing, from people seeking natural healing, to those looking for sustainable products. I feel fortunate to have a regular community that returns to the seaweed spa, which speaks volumes about the connection they’ve found there and the benefits they are receiving from visiting regularly.

The community aspect has been key to building a deeper impact, not just through our soon to launch products, but through shared experiences and wellness practices, we have our first retreat day in May which will be a wonderful celebration of a year since we opened and an opportunity to bring people together for the first of many immersive wellness experiences that we have planned for the future.

As a fellow female founder, I know those days where juggling feels like it’s more than just a huge weight on your shoulders! Even from your idyllic looking corner of the world, do you ever have any regrets about starting your own business and which areas of working for yourself do you find the most challenging? What does a typical day look like?

Starting a business definitely comes with its challenges. There have been tough moments, no doubt, especially balancing everything that comes with being a founder and mother of three children. One of the hardest parts is often managing my own high standards and expectations and the feeling of constantly juggling multiple responsibilities. A typical day is a mix of meetings, product development, strategy sessions, and when I’m lucky some quiet time spent reflecting on the bigger vision. With my health challenges I am trying to build in more protected time for myself now so that I make time to recharge aswell, the seaweed spa has been a great asset to me personally aswell as I use it weekly as part of my own health management. As for regrets, I wouldn’t say I have any. Every challenge has shaped my path in some way, even the hardest ones.

Battling with Rosacea acne myself – which I now know has been a result of many years of exposure to various toxins – your journey with your health issues and the work you now do is fascinating for me. Could you tell us a little more about the health properties of seaweed and how you feel it has alleviated your suffering since you started your journey?

Seaweed really is a powerhouse of nutrients! Seaweed contains antioxidants that are wonderful for skin health and powerful anti-inflammatory compounds that can help to reduce inflammation in the body. Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain from conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, or muscle inflammation, soaking in seaweed-infused water is rich in essential minerals like magnesium which are crucial for muscle relaxation and repair.

When I started integrating seaweed into my skincare, diet and using it in my baths, I noticed improvements not just in my skin’s appearance but in my overall wellbeing. Seaweed’s ability to detoxify, hydrate, and soothe has played a key role in alleviating my health symptoms and chronic pain, especially when dealing with inflammatory issues that are present in autoimmune conditions like my connective tissue and Mast cell diseases.

You are soon to launch new products. When are these available and how has the development process of these products been? Do you have a favourite?

I am thrilled about the upcoming launch of our new product line, which will be available in just a few months. The development process has been extensive, from selecting the right ingredients to ensuring every production step is sustainable. I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with a local company and a cosmetic chemist who specialise in using only natural ingredients.

As part of my personal health management, I prioritise natural products due to my sensitivity to artificial ingredients, which can trigger severe anaphylactic reactions. This made it essential for me to create a toxin-free product line, locally crafted in Dorset, using our own hand-harvested seaweed from our shores.

One product that stands out to me is our seaweed-infused face serum. It’s a personal favorite of mine—something I’ve been using and absolutely love. I’m excited to share it with everyone soon!

Finally, when you do manage to carve out some spare time, how do you spend it?

Though spare time can be hard to come by, I make a conscious effort to carve out moments for myself whenever I can. One of my favorite ways to recharge is by immersing myself in nature—whether that’s taking walks through our wonderful Dorset countryside, or enjoying time on or in the ocean. These moments help me stay grounded and present.

I’m also passionate about staying informed on the latest advancements in sustainability and health. It’s something I deeply care about and it helps me to feel like I can take some control of my own mind and body which I think is so important when you have chronic health conditions and a lot of outside noise from health practitioners. I love reading up on new ideas, technologies, and practices that can help create a healthier planet and better lifestyles.

When I find a bit more free time, I enjoy getting creative in the kitchen, experimenting with new recipes or crafting herbal concoctions. There’s something so fulfilling about creating something nourishing from scratch, especially if you have foraged the ingredients yourself and it’s a great way for me to unwind and switch off.

Of course, time with close friends and family is always a priority. These are the moments that truly fuel me. I treasure every opportunity to connect, share, and laugh with my husband and three daughters who are the people who matter most to me in the world.