The focus of the retreat is around a theme e.g. self-compassion, to give a structure and a mix of wellbeing and mindfulness activities to support the theme. The programme will include alternative therapeutic wellbeing treatments- massage, healing and energy related, yoga or Pilates and Mindfulness teaching through talks/exercises, guided meditation practices and discussions including silent meditation, nature walks, all of which will be engaging and related to an active, intentional mindset to improve mental wellbeing. During the Programme, there will be time to experience other treatments at an additional cost, as well as explore the locality or just to chill, relax and reflect.The focus of the retreat is around a theme e.g. self-compassion, to give a structure and a mix of wellbeing and mindfulness activities to support the theme. The programme will include alternative therapeutic wellbeing treatments- massage, healing and energy related, yoga or Pilates and Mindfulness teaching through talks/exercises, guided meditation practices and discussions including silent meditation, nature walks, all of which will be engaging and related to an active, intentional mindset to improve mental wellbeing. During the Programme, there will be time to experience other treatments at an additional cost, as well as explore the locality or just to chill, relax and reflect.

The long weekend Wellbeing and Mindfulness Retreat will commence at 2pm on Friday and finish on 4pm Sunday. During that time there will be opportunities to have free time to take optional additional treatments (extra cost) or opportunities to explore the locality or just be free to relax and unwind and reflect. No session is usually longer than 2 hours long. Tea/coffees and soft drink will be provided as well as breakfast, lunch and dinner taken together as a group to extend the Retreat experience.

The Mindfulness Teacher- Sally is trained and qualified and insured in Mindfulness Based Living Course and teaches mindfulness online and in person to a range of people, from beginners and more experienced with mindfulness. In addition, she is a member of The British Association to Mindfulness Based Approaches – BAMBA.

The partners to the Retreat programme are also qualified, experienced and insured in their own field of therapeutic practices and for each Retreat the bio of each therapist will be highlighted against the programme, to clearly demonstrating their expertise. Upon booking onto the retreat, you will be sent a list of other treatments they offer, in case you would like to book directly with them and experience different treatments  in your free time.

There are two double rooms and one twin room on the 1st floor. If taking a twin room, then you will need to share with another participant and that option will be given to you at the time of booking. Or come with a friend! None of the bedrooms have en-suite facilities. However, the bathroom is on the 1st floor and offers a toilet, basin, deep luxury bath with overhead rain shower. The ground floor also has a toilet and basin.

The cottage has been a holiday let since 2010 and is geared to welcoming its guests.  For reviews on the Cottage and  photographs of the Cottage, designed as a relaxing place for adults to stay please go to gallery.

The Cottage is pet, children and smoke free and has a beautiful garden. Previous guests reviews can be found above.

It is clean and cosy, relaxing vibe  with central heating, an open log fire and wood burning stove. It has an open plan lounge and dining room, where most of the retreat activities will take place as there is also another dining area in the good-sized kitchen and of course the garden. Should the weather be kind, some of the retreat activities may be held outside. The décor is calming and there is a good amount of light coming from three sets of French doors which open out onto the South West facing patio and garden.

With the accommodation geared to a relaxing experience, with homemade food to enjoy and a well-structured Well Being and Mindfulness Retreat, these ingredients make for a lovely rejuvenating, relaxing break.

If the Cottage is not booked, for a  small additional charge, you can stay from Sunday 4pm to Friday 10am and explore the Island and even invite some of your family to stay, though no children under 12 years, babies or pets unfortunately, so that the Cottage remains a relaxing place for adults to stay.

All meals – breakfast, lunch and dinner are included and are locally sourced and are a mix of home cooked food and bought. When your booking has been made, a questionnaire will be sent out of any food preferences or allergies. Tea, coffee and soft drinks are also included in the price. Alcohol you are welcome to bring and drink during mealtimes.

The Cottage for the Retreat is based in Totland, about 8 minutes’ walk to the sea, the closest being Colwell Bay which is a large sandy bay, when the tide is out. From the cottage you could drive there, about 3 mins if you prefer, where there is a car park very close to the sea. The cottage is also close to a bus stop which goes to and from Yarmouth and the ferry terminal at Yarmouth.

If you are travelling from Fishbourne, having travelled from Portsmouth then there is a bus to Newport and then another bus would be required to Colwell Green. If travelling to Cowes, you would take a bus to Newport and then a bus from Newport to Colwell Green.

Other options to get to the Island -  a local ferry company for foot passengers only https://quay2quay.co.uk/ traveling from Lymington to Yarmouth £15 return. 

Or Foot Passenger via https://www.redfunnel.co.uk/ or Wightlink https://www.wightlink.co.uk/tickets

You may also want to take your electric bike, if you have one and travel light. There is no facility to charge your e-bike at the cottage, but there is in the village. There is a garage at the Cottage for storage if needed.

There is parking on the drive at the Cottage and also in the road, which is a quiet wide residential road, with no restrictions.

The maximum group size is 4, in two doubles, own room and two single beds -twin room. Being a small group each retreat will be single gender e.g. female only retreats and will be made clear on booking. You can come alone or come with a friend/friends. In a homely setting, you will quickly adapt and start to relax at the cottage as part of the Retreat experience.

It is quite normal to feel nervous if you are experiencing something new and you may not know anyone going on the Retreat. Rest assured, if you have any concerns prior to booking then do make contact and Sally will have a chat with you and explain the format of the course and who is attending, and how the programme is structured so you can quickly integrate into the spirit of the Retreat. The other guests are probably as nervous as you are, so if we can make you feel welcome before you arrive  and remove some of those anxieties, then please do pop a request to contact from the website.

It is always of benefit to bring your own yoga mat if you have one and prefer to use that. However, you really do not need to bring anything, as yoga mats can be provided and cushions, as well as any note taking books. Just bring what you will need for a relaxing weekend stay and as important, an open mind.

Yes, there is and for all courses and retreats, payment in full is required when booking. However, if for any reason you need to cancel then providing it is not within 6 weeks of attending, then a full refund will be given. Or if you prefer your booking can be moved to another time convenient to you. All details of the Refund Policy can be found at the footer of the website.

We ask as part of the Wellbeing and Mindfulness Retreat that you restrict the use of your mobile phone when at the Retreat and also in your free time, which may seem quite a challenge to begin with, but it is also provides a sense of freedom.  A Digital Detox is good for the soul. Of course, life goes on outside of the Retreat, but to keep you fully immersed in the Retreat, so you can benefit, we encourage you to keep mobile contact to a minimum, if you need to accessible.