London: The Mandrake’s ‘Soul Revival’
Having launched the world’s first spiritual wellness concierge last year, this year The Mandrake launches the Soul Revival package to guide guests from lockdown into the light. From in-room bespoke energy healings to sound baths and cacao ceremonies, the hotel is hosting the best practitioners in their fields such as Eddy Elsey (Shaman), Urmi Sound (sound healers), Andréa Araré (shaman), Maria Lodetoft (Sound healer).
When? Ongoing
Where? The Mandrake, London
BOOK: Package begins at £730 | All sessions will be incredibly intimate, to not only keep guests safe, but to ensure the most mind-expanding of experiences | themandrake.com
Cotswolds: Somercecil Retreats at Badminton Estate
Having grown up in the Cotswolds and Cornwall retrospectively, Bella Somerset and Gaby Cecil discovered from a young age the importance of spending time in nature. This inspired them to launch Somercecil, a retreat series at Badminton Estate – where Bella was lucky enough to grow up. The retreats are themed around three pillars: movement, nature and connection: think morning runs, yoga, walks and e-bike adventures, alongside activities like foraging and massages. On the food side, you can expect seasonal vegetarian dishes made using homegrown produce straight from the pesticide-free garden veg farm. You’ll be spending time in the beautiful Dower House, a stone’s throw away from Badminton Deer Park.
When? Check somercecil.com for upcoming dates. Private retreats are also available.
Where? Badminton Estate, Cotswolds
BOOK: somercecil.com
Cornwall: Thera-Sea’s Rewilding Retreats
Take things back to basics at one of Thera-Sea’s new rewilding retreats, which take place on the banks of the River Fal in south Cornwall. The retreats expand on the pillars of modern lifestyle medicine: physical activity, relaxation, mindfulness, sleep and nutrition are all blended into the programme. Guests will stay in secluded treehouse-style accommodation with river views, offering the perfect opportunity to embrace the wilderness and embark on a digital detox. From foraging walks to moonlight kayaking tours to stargazing, all activities are about rekindling a relationship with nature.
When? Dates throughout 2022
Where? South Cornwall
BOOK: Prices from £315; therasea.co.uk
London: A Place to Heal by Arrigo
If you’re looking for a retreat which doesn’t require you to stay overnight, check out A Place to Heal in London’s Holland Park. It runs both one day and 28-day retreats, which involve one-to-one consultations, meditation sessions and crystal light therapy treatment. The 28-day option offers a greater number of sessions over a longer period, including private consultations with founder Fiona Arrigo, a biodynamic medicine workshop with Mary Molloy, and a breath work session with Julie Ann Horrox.
If you’re feeling exhausted post-lockdown, Fiona’s Healing Retreats in Somerset are designed to help repair the impact of the past year. Fiona also runs a retreat for those struggling with the effects of Long COVID, which includes psychological support as well as therapeutic treatments such as lung and breath strengthening techniques, acupuncture and trauma release work.
When? Contact [email protected] to discuss availability
Where? Holland Park, London
BOOK: £860 for the One Day Weekend Retreat, £1,895 for the 28-day Non-Residential Retreat; aplacetoheal.co.uk
Yorkshire: Rudding Park in Harrogate
Pick your meditation hot spot from the UK’s very first Rooftop Spa Garden or Rudding Park’s designated Mind and Sense Zones. The spa aims to re-capture Harrogate’s spa town heritage by drawing natural waters from the grounds of Rudding Park. The Roof Top Spa and Garden has also been designed (by horticulturalist Matthew Wilson) to capture and reflect the beauty of its natural surroundings. The new Woodland Glade – a secluded area in the gardens – allows guests to experience treatments whilst connecting with nature, inspired by the Japanese tradition of forest bathing. Sounds like the perfect spot for some soul-searching (followed by steam room-lounging), to us.
When? Ongoing
Where? Rudding Park Hotel – Harrogate, North Yorkshire
BOOK: ruddingpark.co.uk
Lake District: ‘Rest. Restore. Rewild.’ at Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa
Rewilding is a big wellness trend right now, and we all love natural therapy. There’s nothing quite so natural, however, as the new addition to Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa’s ‘Rest. Restore. Rewild.’ package: Mindfulness with Animals. In collaboration with the adjoining Lake District Wildlife Park, guests observe and connect mindfully with a range of animals – from red pandas to lemurs, tapirs to gibbons, alpacas to giant tortoises – to explore the life lessons they can teach us. Guests will also experience a two-hour Forest Bathing session as part of the package.
When? Ongoing
Where? Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa – Cumbria
BOOK: armathwaite-hall.com
Devon: Sharpham House’s Walking Retreats
Located on the banks of the River Dart, Sharpham House’s walking retreats will take you on long, meditative walks around the beautiful Devon countryside. A more active trip, the retreat involves daily 7-8 mile walks, many of which are very hilly, so organisers specify you’ll need good fitness levels. With breathtaking scenery and periods of silence, these walks help develop appreciation and respect for the natural world, and encourage guests to explore their creativity. There are also guided meditations and relaxation sessions throughout the retreat, and you’ll be treated to delicious vegetarian food, all sourced locally and sustainably.
When? To view the upcoming retreats schedule visit sharphamtrust.org
Where? Sharpham House, Totnes, Devon
BOOK: From £385 for four nights; sharphamtrust.org
Norfolk and Kent: Your Ideal Fit Pilates Retreat
Your Ideal Fit runs a number of pilates retreats, based either at The Roseyard in Kent or West Lexham Estate in Norfolk. A typical day involves pilates classes, guided walks and mindful movement workshops, punctuated by nutritious vegan meals.
When? Stay tuned for upcoming dates
Where? West Lexham Estate, Norfolk or The Roseyard, Kent
BOOK: From £499pp; youridealfit.com
Devon: Gaia House
If you’re looking to reduce the noise in your mind, Gaia House is your best bet. One of the largest meditation centers in Europe, it offers silent meditation retreats in the Buddhist tradition, but all faiths are welcome. Set in the peaceful South Devon countryside, retreats range in length from two to seven nights, with different names such as Pathways to Happiness and The Heart of Wisdom and Kindness. Though guests are asked to refrain from engaging in all forms of verbal and written communication throughout the retreat, you can speak with the teachers when appropriate. During your stay you can enjoy picturesque strolls around the grounds, and vegan/vegetarian meals throughout.
When? Retreats are frequent, check out the schedule here
Where? Gaia House, South Devon
BOOK: From £128 for two nights; gaiahouse.co.uk
Essex: Glass House Retreat
After years of visiting retreats, passionate advocate for healthy living Joy Jarvis noticed many were pushed for space, and decided it was time to create something new. Enter Glass House Retreat, a purpose-built spa, detox and weight-loss centre set in the heart of the luscious Essex countryside. Packages range from two to seven days long, all offering spa and gym access, plant-based cuisine and various different wellness treatments. A typical day here involves a morning walk, two fitness classes and a raw food lunch, followed by a cookery demonstration from Head Chef Miguel Gouveia. Afternoons, meanwhile, are spent exploring the retreat’s spa facilities – which include a salt block sauna, cryotherapy chamber and heated pool – and enjoying relaxing treatments. Less than an hour’s drive from London, it’s perfectly located for city dwellers looking to escape from the city and invest in a little R&R.
When? Glass House Retreat is now open for bookings, click here for information on their packages.
Where? Essex
BOOK: Two-day package from £416pp; glasshouseretreat.co.uk
