After a long day in the office, designer Jacqui Sheard would unwind by making bars of crafted organic handmade soap. It was a passion that soon became a profession when she found a cosy little shop in Lacock and started Quintessentially English. Behind our products is an age-old philosophy: When you touch a flower you disturb a star. It’s an idea that goes right back to medieval times when herbalists combined the sciences of medicine and astronomy – and flowers, linked to the stars, were used for their healing properties. Like these early sages, we believe there’s a connection, between earth and air, fire and water – an energy that flows through everything: a quintessence.
WHAT WE MAKE
At Quintessentially English, we make organic handmade soap, natural beauty products, and luxurious toiletries – for your head, right down to the tips of your toes. You’ll find everything from sublime shampoos, perfumes and face creams, to ‘me time’ massage oils, fizzy bath bombs and Shea butter lip balms. Organic handmade soap and beauty products aside, there are all sorts of vintage treasures and home accessories to discover, like beeswax candles, silkscreened cushions and enamelware. All created by local artisans – and selected for their rustic beauty and good, old-fashioned quality.
TEAS & HERBS
We also stock an extensive range of herbs and fine teas. Many of our herbs are organically grown and our fine teas come from a family that has been running a tea plantation in India for over two generations.
OUR ETHICS
Everything we make at Quintessentially English is as pure as nature intended, so it’s always kind to your hair and skin. You’ll never find ‘nasties’ like SLS, SLES and parabens in any of our products – just the finest sustainable organic oils, beeswax, herbal infusions and 100% essential oils. To create many of the earthy colours, we simply add natural vegetable extracts or clays. And, for that personal touch, we lovingly hand-finish each batch, wrap every block in paper, and tie with a length of twine.
SOAP MAKING COURSE
We love to share our soapmaking skills so why not book into one of our exclusive soapmaking courses. Our soap workshop includes lunch in the beautiful village of Lacock.
WHERE TO BUY
You can buy our lovely handmade soaps online. But if you live nearby, or you’re visiting Lacock, you might like to pop to our apothecary to get a real taste of how they’re made and have one of our assistants help you whittle down your selection. You’ll also find our products in many shops up and down the country – just call us on 01249 730100 to track down your nearest stockist. If you’d like to bring a slice of Quintessentially English into your shop or outlet, please visit our Trade enquiries page.
QUIET ROOM
If you are in Lacock why not book with one of our Therapists. For more information call 01249 730100.