The best mental health retreats in the UK
Last September, I awoke to the resonant echoing of a gong. A far cry from my usual bleary-eyed alarm clock scrabble, for three glorious days my waking senses were treated to the ethereal melody of this historical instruction. Sadly, though I tried to figure out how to reshape my life to make this my daily ritual, all too soon it was time to head for home and return to the not-so-dulcet tones of my iPhone alarm. That’s the bad news. The good news, though? A mental health retreat, the kind I had embarked on as a tonic for my rinsed-out, frayed brain, is a joy that can be booked over and over. The only criteria are an open mind and a handful of hope that things could be better, or at least feel calmer. Thanks to popular meditation apps and trendy wellness studios, more people than ever are turning to holistic methods, therapy and bodywork to really slow down, take stock and focus on their mental health – and the UK market has provided for them accordingly. From Buddhist teachings and fitness camps to wild swimming and days of meditation, these are the best mental health retreats in the UK to book now – and thank yourself for later.
© vickicouchmanSharpham House Mindfulness Retreats, Devon
Some hardened wellness professionals will tell you that to reset your mental health and well-being, you need to really strip everything away and go back to basics, but that doesn’t mean you can’t sprinkle a little luxury in there somewhere too. Sharpham House sits in the middle of a grand 18th-century estate in rural Devon, with manicured gardens spanning out from the impressive manor house. But beyond the ornate cornicing and the oversized fireplaces, the house plays host to a clutch of mindfulness and wellness retreats, whether you’re a virgin to such pursuits or just in need of having a few cobwebs swept away to help you return to your practice. Five-night residential courses, which include mindful movement, creative writing, meditation and woodland walks (among other things) are run throughout the year, while one-day mindfulness courses are also available, as well as workshops on foraging and wild medicine.
Website: sharphamtrust.org
PROMIS Hay Farm, Kent
Mental health retreats are not necessarily just about following an emerging desire to explore your mind or gain perspective after a trying time, they’re also spaces for those coming through diagnosed mental health disorders, addiction or PTSD to take advantage of professional help in a setting that feels friendly and relaxed. PROMIS Hay Farm is such a place, working with each guest to build a specialised programme, which can include a variety of therapies, neurofeedback and a long list of holistic wellness treatments, from mindfulness to equine therapy. Outside, the opportunity to explore the 12 acres of farmland – coated in greenery – is a therapy all on its own, ensuring guests feel a sense of peace outside of a guided therapeutic setup, too.
Website: promis.co.uk
The Tree Relaxation Retreat, Yorkshire
Wide swathes of open heather, distinctive dales and tapestries of biophilic hues, the Yorkshire Moors have been immortalised throughout history in books, both fact and fiction. Their untamed quality makes them the perfect backdrop on which to set a story, but what about those wanting to start a new chapter amid the chaos of the modern day? The Tree Relaxation Retreat is an award-winning, all-encompassing, holistic approach to relaxation, restoration and the reassembling of fractured thoughts. Amid the wild setting, a soothing blend of yoga, meditation, delicious vegetarian food and holistic treatments can be enjoyed as part of an intensive five-day silent retreat – intended for deep reflection – midweek retreats or mindful weekends.
Website: thetree.earth
NewWave Retreat, West Sussex
Every month, with the West Sussex coast as its backdrop, the NewWave Retreats welcomes guests who are keen to take a proactive, go-getting approach to feel back on track, from the inside out. Over three days, you’ll participate in transformative life coaching workshops, hosted by field-leading experts, sunrise meditation sessions, laughter yoga, breathwork, cookery classes and workouts (some off-site, immersed in nature), as well as an ice bath on Brighton beach (an activity that facilitators stress will take place in all weather conditions!). Into this mix, evenings out within Brighton are added, and though they might feel slightly unorthodox for a mental health retreat, these group activities (think: bowling) help guests integrate their newfound awareness into real, everyday scenarios.
Website: newwave-retreats.com
The Zest Life, Wales
Nestled between Menai Bridge and Beaumaris on the Isle of Anglesey, the historic Plas Cadnant Estate plays host to mental health retreats that take a 360 approach to well-being. With daily schedules including a mixture of meditation, massage, yoga, guided walks through the verdant surroundings and space to immerse yourself in peaceful activities, from a wild swim in the estate’s river to curling up by the fire to switch off and read or just sitting and breathing – fully breathing – with no other demands on your time. Rooms are luxurious, food is vegetarian, sugar and dairy-free and thoughtfully factored in as its own form of restorative healing.
Website: thezestlife.co.uk
Thera-Sea Rewilding Escape, Cornwall
It’s totally human to fall out of step with our natural rhythm and into the hurried, humid pace of modern life. In fact, with so much going on, it’s almost impossible not to. Spending time outside is one of the fastest, most enjoyable ways to reconnect with yourself; to take a pause and look around – and where better to do that than the wild Cornish cliffs and countryside? Thera-Sea’s rewilding escapes help guests to reprogramme their relationship to sleep, wellbeing, their mental state and the world around them, using a restorative blend of surfing, wild swimming, foraging, crafting classes in the middle of the forest and all sorts of relaxation workshops designed to help guests return to their natural equilibrium. Participants hole up in a string of shepherd’s huts, treehouses and a rustic cottage flanking the side of the River Fal, which provides a soothing backdrop to all sorts of evening escapades, from torch-lit trips along the banks to stargazing sessions around an open fire.
Website: thera-sea.co.uk
One-Day Silent Meditation Retreat, London
Yes, great things can take time, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t ways to powerfully utilise the limited time you have when it comes to restoring your mental health. Mindspace is a well-being organisation which focuses on teaching the tools of how to calm and focus your mind and gradually experience inner peace. It runs silent mindfulness retreats in Richmond, ideal for those in need of more than just a solitary class but without the time (or the funds) to spare. Guided meditations, walking meditations and mindfulness teaching are woven into plenty of spare time for those joining to find space alone, outdoors, to revel in the calming joy of not having to assemble your thoughts into a conversational flow. Recent studies show that making space for even just two hours of silence in your day, can positively impact your hippocampus, the part of your brain that is linked to your memory, emotions, and ability to learn. Retreats are run throughout the year and can be booked via email.
Website: mindspace.org.uk