As the popularity of holistic healing therapies continues to grow, Lauren Goodwin-Grafton tried out a sound bath experience on a weekend retreat to Down Hall Hotel & Spa
How do you like to relax? Maybe it’s having a long bath, booking a massage, or simply sitting back and binge-watching your favourite Netflix show – we each have our own way of unwinding from life’s daily stressors. However, one particular spiritual wellness activity is becoming increasingly popular, said to aid relaxation and calm the mind – and reportedly even Meghan Markle is a fan.
Sound baths are becoming one of the ultimate self-care experiences and, as a regular reiki fan myself and someone open to trying new healing therapies, I snapped up the chance to try it after being invited to a wellness sound bath weekend retreat at Down Hall Hotel, Spa and Estate in Essex.
For those unfamiliar with sound baths, there’s actually no water involved. Instead, participants lie back and listen to sound waves created by the teacher playing special singing bowls, gongs and chimes, played by the teacher in a way that, according to mental health app Calm, ‘encourages the mind to relax and the body to release tension’.
Numerous health benefits of sound bathing have been reported, including easing stress and promoting calm as the body releases endorphins, relieving pain, facilitating a better nights’ sleep, improved mood and a reduction in anxiety.
Keen to experience this for ourselves, my sister and I escaped the hustle and bustle of London and headed to Down Hall for a wholesome wellness weekend with plenty of self-care moments.
What to expect at Down Hall’s Wellness Sound Bath Weekend Retreat
Guests who book in for the Wellness Sound Bath Weekend Retreat can expect an itinerary set to awaken the soul. We enjoyed a 25-minute full-body massage in the hotel’s spa, followed by sunset yoga then a sensory sound bathing experience led by Down Hall’s incredible wellness and holistic consultant Camilla Sheeley.
After cocooning ourselves in blankets and popping our heads on a plump pillow, the sound waves and frequency vibrations had us entering a deep state of meditation, and upon waking we were left feeling deeply relaxed and calm. Utter bliss!
We finished off the evening with a five-star meal in the hotel’s two-AA Rosette restaurant, Garden Room. The following morning, we had another yoga session, this time more of a revitalising one, before a tasty breakfast of freshly cooked eggs and pastries in The Potting Shed.
However, I have a confession to make: before the retreat, neither my sister nor I had ever tried yoga. I was apprehensive; what if all attendees were yoga pros? What if I couldn’t execute the plank or the downward dog without falling on my face?
My fears were quickly dispersed by Camilla, though, who told us her sessions were tailored for quite literally everybody, and in our class there were younger ladies (beginners like us), bendy yoga enthusiasts and older women suffering from arthritis. As Camilla led the session it became clear that the weekend was inclusive for all, with Camilla explaining that “regular stretching and breathing exercises can hugely benefit the body and mind”. So if, like us, you’re new to certain wellness practices, don’t let this put you off booking onto this relaxing retreat.
Learn more
This 19th-century mansion in Essex sits on 110 acres and offers a peaceful retreat for couples, friends and dog owners. After recently completing a £1.5 million renovation project, it provide the perfect mix of comfort and style.
About the hotel
If you’re simply looking for an idyllic weekend getaway, Down Hall eludes sophistication and charm. The 19th-century mansion sits on 110 acres and offers a peaceful retreat for couples, friends and dog owners. After recently completing a £1.5 million renovation project, the Grand Hall and cosy home-from-home bedrooms provide the perfect mix of comfort and style – a real treat, if, like me, that’s your staycation vibe. Featuring plush velvet sofas, artistic gallery walls and a vibrant colour palette, the boutique-style interiors are a modern contrast against the property’s historic features.
Between yoga sessions, we enjoyed a pot of tea in front of the open fire and went on a grounding woodland walk guided by Camilla – another mood-boosting activity said to improve mental health. Although we didn’t indulge on this occasion, afternoon tea also looked delicious, and is clearly popular.
The spa
The hotel’s Eden Spa is also the perfect place to unwind. As someone who suffers from dry, sensitive skin I was looking for a treatment that would rejuvenate my dull winter complexion, so I booked in for the Active Nutrients Glow From Within facial (£70), which used a combination of targeted products to cleanse and nourish my skin, plus ice-cold gua sha crystal massage to promote firmness and circulation. Guests can also choose from a range of massages and body treatments including exfoliating skin polishes and pedis.
How much does it cost?
Down Hall Hotel, Spa and Estate’s Wellness Sound Bath Weekend Retreat costs £225 per person including an overnight stay in a double or twin room. The next retreat takes place on Friday 28 March.
Down Hall also runs Breathwork Weekend Retreats at £225 per person and next available on Friday 4 April.
For further room rates and to book your stay, visit Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate AA Hotel of the Year 2025 – England. You can also check out upcoming events here.