The latest lifestyle, fashion and travel trends
The latest lifestyle, fashion and travel trends
Easter is just around the corner and many of us are now thinking about our next escape from the city.
For many, self-care has become less of a treat and more of a way of life, so it’s natural that this now also extends to where and how we holiday. As a result, wellness retreats are becoming more and more popular.
If you’re in need of some time to focus on yourself for a few days but don’t want to stray too far, we’ve rounded up a selection of the best retreats in the UK this year that won’t break the bank.
1. Another_Space Retreat, Osea Island
London boutique fitness studio Another_Space is hosting its second retreat on the idyllic island of Osea Island, only an hour away from the capital. Located on the Blackwater Estuary, the retreat will take place in The Captain’s House, which is surrounded by acres of rustic gardens and meadows.
Begin your morning with a gentle vinyasa flow overlooking the coast, followed by a mid-morning HIIT class and then a delicious lunch.
Date: May 3-6, 2019
Price: From £998 anotherspace.london/as-retreat
2. Roger Frampton at Retreat East, Suffolk
Movement coach Roger Frampton will host a series of wellness retreats this summer at Retreat East, a private members club and spa set on 35 acres in the heart of the Suffolk countryside.
In each three-day retreat, guests will experience Roger’s training technique, the Frampton Method, which is based on conscious movement and combines bodyweight exercises with gymnastics and yoga.
Meanwhile, Retreat East’s in-house chef will prepare seasonal breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, served in the spectacular, light-filled Great Barn, using organic local ingredients and produce from the Retreat East Kitchen Garden.
Date: 3-5 June, 16-18 September and 11-13 November, 2019
Price: from £700 all inclusive in a private room in shared accommodation, a fully private barn is also available eventbrite.co.uk/retreat-east
3. Sea Breeze escape at Slimmeria, Devon
Head to the Sea Breeze escape in Devon set in a converted gothic mansion in the picturesque Ilfracombe for the ultimate rejuvenation and detox retreat. This brand new retreat is situated just steps away from the sea and harbour, so guests can enjoy the fresh sea air, daily invigorating coastal walks, explore the sand dunes, exercise classes and enjoy a delicious detox diet unwind with a complimentary spa treatment.
Date: April 7-13, 14-20, 21-27, 2019
Price: From £745 per person for 6 nights slimmeria.com
4. Milla Lascelles Retreat, Newbury
Holistic life coach Milla Lascelles and Pilates teacher Posie Staveley will host a weekend retreat at Vanners Farm, Newbury in a cosy newly refurbished home away from which has some stunning features like the gorgeous copper roll top bath shown above.
The retreat is designed to help with your transition into summer, combining Pilates with personal training sessions and will involve daily morning body scans. Guests will also enjoy group health and lifestyle coaching to help you cope with issues like stress at work, poor sleep, burn out, social jet lag and aims to empower you to reach your own personal health goals. Prepare to feel realigned, refreshed and reenergised.
Date: June 21 – 23, 2019
Price: From £650 per person millalascelles.com
5. Our Retreat, Somerset
Set in a stunning secluded 11-bedroom farmhouse in the Somerset countryside, Our Retreat offers mindful morning yoga classes, guided meditation sessions, restorative barre and relaxing evening yin yoga, alongside wellness workshops and guided hikes through the local woodland. Meanwhile private chefs prepare plant-based, balanced meals for retreaters. Make the most of the chilled vibe, take some downtime to relax by the fire or read a book in the gardens before joining classes when it suits you.
Date: June 21 – 24, July 5 – 8 or 19 – 22, November 15-18, December 13-16, 2019
Price: From £550 per person Ourretreat.co.uk
6. Your Ideal Fit – Lucy Mills Conscious Living Retreat, Norfolk
Pilates, barre and TRX teacher Lucy Mills is leading her own retreat in Norfolk this summer, which she says is designed for guests to experience “a holistic, everyday approach to wellness without specifically touching on spirituality”.
Each day will begin with a one-hour Pilates class designed to gently wake up your mind and body in preparation for the day, later in the day guests can enjoy a second to strengthen and condition with personalised modifications offered for all levels. As well as mindfulness nutrition and eating workshops, guests will also be treated to three vegan meals each day cooked by plant-based chef Lauren Lovatt.
Date: June 14-17, 2019
Price: From £499 per person youridealfit.com/retreats
7. Mindfulness for Wellbeing Weekend, Norfolk
Escape the city for a weekend in rural Norfolk with this retreat located within 21 acres of woodland. The weekend focusses on meditation with gentle yoga classes and is designed for both total beginners to mindfulness, as well as those with an established practice, seeking a refresher. Enjoy delicious, wholesome food while you switch off your phone for the weekend.
Date: April 5-8, 2019
Price: £449 – £799 satvada-retreats.co.uk
8. Tresco Yoga Retreats, Tresco Island, Cornwall
Located in the Isles of Scilly off the coast of Cornwall, Tresco Yoga Retreats is offering two retreats this year. The first is a spring retreat and the second will be held in late summer.
Included in the retreat is five nights of luxury accommodation with breakfast and a three-course dinner, six yoga classes with Lucy Aldridge, inter-island transfers between St. Mary’s airport and the New Inn on Tresco, a 60-minute massage, full access to spa facilities and a bike to use during your stay. Sounds idyllic.
Date: May 18 to 23 and August 31 to September 5, 2019
Price: From £750 per person tresco.co.uk/staying-on-tresco
9. Women and Water retreat, Cornwall
Woman and water by Wild and Free Adventures is a yoga retreat with a difference, in that it also includes surfing in the gorgeous Cornish waters. This four-day retreat is located in Yurt Village at The Park, Mawgan Porth, surrounded by lush greenery and just a short walk to the golden beaches of Cornwall.
A private chef will cook your meals during your stay and you’ll start off each morning with guided meditation, followed by a Vinyasa flow yoga class and then a surf lesson from professional surfer, Alan Stokes. It doesn’t matter if you have never done yoga or surfed before, this retreat is perfect for beginners and the days will end with a restorative yoga class before bed.
During your free time, don’t forget to enjoy swims in the indoor heated pool or the outdoor pool, warm up in the sauna and steam room or enjoy a glass of wine in your private Jacuzzi. There’s also plenty of Cornish coast to see with a bike ride or walk along the beach.
Date: June 7-10 or 14-17 and September 20-23 or 27-30, 2019
Price: £480 – £995 wildandfreeadventures.co.uk/cornwallwomenandwater
10. Mindfulness for Women, Devon
If you are looking for some peace and quiet away from the world, Mindfulness for Women by The Sharpham Trust is the retreat for you. Set in the Grade 1-listed Sharpham House in Devon, this Georgian mansion acts as the perfect base for your five day retreat.
During the retreat your days will consist of guided meditation and yoga sessions in the morning, free time after lunch where you can go for long walks through the country before more meditation in the evenings. All meals are provided.
Date: June 3 – 7, 2019
Price: £385 – £495 sharphamtrust.org/calendar/retreat/
11. Healthy Gut Retreat, Malvern, Worcestershire
If you’re constantly feeling groggy and bloated then this Healthy Gut Rereat by The Clover Mill may be for you. This food-based retreat is for anyone with gluten-intolerance, stress, anxiety, depression, stiff aching joints, digestive issues, chronic tiredness, skin conditions, sugar cravings or wanting to lose weight.
The retreat aims to re-set your gut bacteria and tackles this with yoga classes, meditation, massages and meals made with seasonal ingredients and probiotics.
Dates: May 23-28, July 18-23 and October 18-23, 2019
Price: £1,721 sharing, £2,145 single occupancy theclovermill.com/microbiome
12. Yoga and Relaxation Weekend, North Yorkshire
Set in tranquil surroundings, this two-night break by Raw Horizons combines Kundalini yoga with meditation to help you take a break and unwind.
Guests can enjoy morning and mid-afternoon yoga classes, as well as meditation sessions, massages and gourmet raw meals.
Date: April 26-8, May 17-19, 2019
Price: £370-£540 rawhorizons.co.uk/yoga-relaxation/
13. Writers retreat, Shropshire
For all of you aspiring writers out there, this is the perfect opportunity to shut out the noise and focus on writing for your choice of four to six days. Located in the Shropshire Hills, you will get your own apartment with all meals provided.
Spend your days writing, taking in the 26 acres of woodland and sharing your triumphs with other writers over dinner.
Date: Various retreats held throughout 2019
Price: £470 – £750 arvon.org/retreats/writers-retreats/
14. Walking retreats, Devon
Staying at Sharpham House on the banks of the River Dart, this retreat marries mindfulness with activity as you’ll be walking up to seven or eight miles per day along the gorgeous Devon countryside.
A typical day at this retreat begins with morning meditation followed by breakfast before setting off on your walk. You’ll also enjoy a guided meditation after dinner. Delightful.
Dates: Multiple dates from May until September 2019
Price: £385 – £495 sharphamtrust.org/calendar/retreat/
