Wellness Retreats in the UK
Wellness Retreats in the UK
In the previous blog I explored the origin of retreats, and the benefits modern day retreats offer. In this blog, I take a closer look at some of the fantastic retreats the UK has to offer. Which ones will take your fancy?
They say everyone has at least one book in them, and if you’re a budding writer this could be the retreat for you. Arvon’s dedicated Writers Retreat at The Clockhouse offers four fully-catered apartments, allowing you to be free of distractions and fully focus on your writing. You can book any length stay and choose to spend your time alone or in the cosy shared lounge with your fellow creatives. The four characterful apartments offer beautiful, inspiring views across the Clun Valley; such a lovely setting in which to embrace your creative flow
Partial to the festival vibe? Birch Arising is a brand new summer solstice celebration ‘capturing the magic, spirit and intimacy of all the best loved festivals’ – except this doesn’t involve tents, but instead offers 140 ensuite bedrooms!
Touted as a ‘three-day curated outdoor adventure of live music and DJs, fun and creativity, incredible chefs and producers, and restorative wellness experiences,’ you can choose to stay for the full three days or just for the day if you prefer that. There’s music, DJs, painting, pottery, baking, plus entertainment for younger family members too, so the whole family can enjoy the experience.
Sometimes we all need the chance to reconnect with our loved ones, away from the stresses and routine of daily life. Re:treat glamping offers just this opportunity. It is an exclusive 7-person luxury safari lodge positioned on its own deck within a privately owned 22-acre smallholding in Bedfordshire. Different to the other retreats in that it doesn’t offer any activities or classes, it simply gives you the chance to spend quality time with your loved ones. Whether it be stargazing under a blanket, toasting marshmallows, hiking through the beautiful countryside on your doorstep, enjoying a family barbeque, or relaxing with a good book whilst the children play, this serene retreat is a glorious escape from the daily grind.
For all you yoga fans, this 4-night Yoga Retreat taking place across the Spring Equinox may well appeal. Set on the Isles of Scilly, it will fuse ‘gentle flow, island hopping, restorative sessions, sunrise salutations, guided meditation and coastal explorations. Spring is a time of transition and cleansing, hence why this retreat has been designed to align with this natural rhythm. Accommodation, several meals, island hopping travel, bike hire, spa access and yoga sessions are included, offering ample opportunity for calm and relaxation.
Soul Care Retreats advertise themselves as ‘intimate, soulful, eco-luxury retreats for busy women aged 40+’. Each provides a chance to be immersed in nature, fully present, phone off, TV off…to just ‘be.’ With themes such as ‘the self-love edition’ and ‘the solstice edition,’ they are based in locations across the world and individually curated to each theme. Workshops, mindful eating, holistic therapies, pop-up libraries, pop-up wellness clinics are all includes as standard.
Samsara Retreat in the Kent countryside is the venue for monthly full moon weekend retreats to warm the soul via a mix of yoga, nourishment for body and mind and sound healing. The lovely accommodation is the cherry on the cake. Samsara also offers a variety of other specialist retreats, including a men-only ‘Brotherhood Emergence’ retreat, ‘Feel Good Friday’ retreats and the quirky ‘Ecstatic Dance’ sessions. Definitely worth exploring their website for more details.
I’d love to hear from you if you’ve attended a similar wellness retreat before – how did you find it?