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Prioritising your mental wellbeing and health by taking occasional breaks from the stress of daily life is essential. Sometimes a change of scenery is all you need to reset and feel like yourself again. If you’re lacking inspiration on how to completely escape and switch off, we’ve found the best places to enjoy a wellness retreat in the south west of England.
Giving you the chance to reconnect with nature while relaxing, focusing on your health and detoxing, these picks will leave you feeling recharged and re-energised. There’s something to suit everyone with our selection of some of the finest wellness retreats in the UK, so whether you’re looking for a short weekend break or a week-long retreat, read on to find the top spots in the south west for you.
The Mandrake Soul Reset – London
If you’re looking for a truly decadent and healing wellness getaway, head to The Mandrake hotel. A blissful retreat in London’s Fitzrovia, behind jasmine and passionflower-lined walls, you’ll find it hard to believe you’re in the city. Its unmissable Soul Reset package, starting from £300, gives you access to as many wellbeing sessions as you’d like during your stay when you book for two nights. From morning meditation sessions, breathwork and yoga to deeply relaxing crystal bowl sound healing and gong baths, you’ll get plenty of bang for your buck. Take a train to London Waterloo, where you can get the Northern line on the London Underground to the closest station, Tottenham Court Road.
Nova Milesko Eco-Farm Weekend Retreat – New Forest
Whether you’re a yoga novice or a yogi-in-the-making, with Nova Milesko’s Eco-Farm package you’ll enjoy two daily Vinyasa Krama yoga classes, which aim to enhance strength and flexibility. Featuring breathwork, chanting and meditation sessions, treat your mind, body and soul during the three-day wellness yoga weekend retreat. Also included are massages, three meals a day and snacks, and, of course, scenic surroundings to wander through at the New Forest National Park. With a whole host of options for your lodgings including huts and loft rooms, all you need to do is book and make your way here by train – the closest station is Brockenhurst.
Champneys Forest Mere – Liphook
Ideal for special occasions such as a birthday weekend away with friends or an anniversary, Champneys Forest Mere and its renowned spa makes for one of the best wellness weekend getaways. Situated in the village of Liphook, your health and wellbeing are taken care of as you revel in its thermal spa experience, featuring quartz massage beds, an exfoliating Rasul Mud Chamber, a hydropool, a snow room to boost your immune system and heated waterbeds. Other activities include boat hire for a row on the lake, guided resort walks, boot camps and other exercise classes. So regardless of whether you go for a one-night or midweek spa break package, you’re sure to leave feeling incredibly refreshed. Hop aboard a South Western Railway train to Liphook station to get there.
Silverlake Retreat – Dorset
To truly switch off and escape the busyness of daily life, head to Silverlake Retreat in West Dorset for a weekend or week-long wellness retreat. Perfectly located with the Jurassic Coast on its doorstep, this spot allows you to explore the best of the south western coast and its walking and cycling routes. There’s also an award-winning spa where you can treat yourself to all manner of treatments like facials and massages. And for dinners and drinks with a view, head to Hurricane Terrace & Bar, which overlooks the Dorset countryside. Be sure to check out The Yurt and play board games or cosy up around the log burning stove while you’re here, too. Dorchester South station is the nearest station to Silverlake Retreat.
Satori Healing Retreat – East Devon
With a philosophy of being at one with nature, a stay at Satori Healing Retreat will take you back to basics in the heart of Somerset’s Blackdown Hills, which is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A self-appointed healing retreat, you can either enjoy wild camping within its 22-acre wildflower meadows or stay in its magical Daisy Yurt with a double bed and two single beds, plus a sofa, dining tables and a wood burner. Additionally, you can join a basket-weaving workshop or go on a wild food foraging adventure. Its closest station is Feniton and it’s best to travel by train as there’s no vehicle access on-site.
The Grange B&B – Isle of Wight
The Grange by the Sea is an award-winning bed and breakfast in the stunning seaside town of Shanklin on the Isle of Wight. With two- to four-night retreats to suit almost anyone, you’ll be in awe of the eye-opening experiences on offer here, including several varieties of yoga, comedy writing, novel and memoir writing, craft courses such as mosaic making and weaving, along with guidance sessions from life coaches. Set to do wonders for your mental wellbeing, this one’s perfect for a solo wellness getaway or for a pair of pals looking to unwind, while having the opportunity to learn new skills. The Isle of Wight’s main line is serviced by South Western Railway’s Island Line, which will take you to and from Ryde Pier Head and Shanklin station.
The Body Retreat – Dorchester
If you’re looking to transform your health, wellbeing and eating habits, The Body Retreat has a multitude of packages to choose from. Encouraging a true lifestyle transformation, the Weight Loss Retreat equips you with the tools to help you stay healthy in a sustainable way, while those looking to combat sugar cravings and crashes may opt for the Sugar Detox Retreat. Alternatively, if you’re struggling with stress, treat yourself to a Re-Set Retreat that’ll show you how to cope better with the obstacles you face by transforming your nutrition, exercise habits and ability to heal. Set in Dorchester with views of the luscious Tone valleys, head to Dorchester South station and you can then get a retreat transfer (from £20).
Fit Again – Dorset
For those lacking workout motivation, you’ll feel like a brand new person who’s raring to go after Fit Again’s Dorset Fitness Retreat. Ideal when you’re looking for a getaway that’s a little longer, this five-day fitness and wellbeing retreat is packed-to-the-brim with activities. Included in the retreat are bootcamps, aqua workouts in a heated pool, restorative yoga, boxing sessions, wild swimming, hiking and so much more. To unwind, book a few extra treatments like a massage or Reiki healing, too. The nearest South Western Railway station is Dorchester South.
With so many incredible options to choose from, all that’s left for you to do is plan your wellness retreat. Once you’ve picked your destination, take a look at South Western Railway train times and book your tickets. Look at advance tickets or GroupSave and group travel tickets for money-saving options. And if you’re travelling into London for any of these retreats, look into booking an off-peak travelcard or using an oyster card during your visit.
