Meditation retreats in the UK: a handy guide
Uk meditation and mindfulness retreats offer time and space to reflect, rest and re-set.
“Meditation is the act of giving your attention to only one thing, either as a religious activity or as a way of becoming calm and relaxed.”
Finding a suitable meditation retreat comes with many important considerations, from the style of meditation, to periods of silence, to the nature of the daily schedule and approach to posture. Are you looking for static meditation alone or for periods of movement to be incorporated; for secular or buddhist meditation? And of course the type of accommodation and food offered: all in all there is much to consider! Lucia Cockcroft, mindfulness teacher and co-founder of Satvada retreats, shares some tips gleaned from two decades of reviewing, attending and teaching UK meditation and yoga retreats.
Meditation in the mainstream
As recently as a decade ago, meditation was viewed as a niche pastime with strong hippy associations. In 2025 this is no longer the case: the global meditation market is projected to reach 5 billion US dollars by 2030, growing annually by up to 13% between 2025 and 2030.
Driven by the whirlwind pace of modern life and a still-growing mental health crisis perpetuated by the Covid pandemic, meditation - which can be defined as the act of giving attention to one thing - is mainstream, widely viewed as a way to manage everyday demands and social media overwhelm.
Strong scientific evidence now underpins meditation and mindfulness with a fast-growing range of mindfulness-based courses - of which the groundbreaking Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, developed in the 1970s by Jon Kabat-Zinn, is still the core - widely available to improve and maintain mental and emotional health.
The volume and success of targeted apps has also helped to de-stigmatise meditation and make it far more accessible: Insight Timer, Headspace, Calm, Buddify, Smiling Mind are a few. In the last few years we have been pleased to find that many people arriving at our meditation classes and retreats have been signposted by GPs and healthcare professionals as a way to de-stress and build up muscles of attention, resilience and self-compassion.
As with any worthwhile skill, meditation involves regular sustained effort but equally we know it doesn’t need to mean sitting still for hours; five or ten minutes a day can have a huge positive effect, whether that’s during the daily commute or for a short window at lunchtime or in the evening.
The de-mystification of meditation has naturally come hand-in-hand with the growth of the UK meditation retreat market. Retreats offer a dedicated time to tend for immersive practice to tend to body mind wellbeing. Yet finding the retreat that will suit the individual can be challenging with a plethora of considerations and differences.
What are you looking for?
First things first: what are you looking for? The almost endlessly flexibility of mediation and mindfulness practices means there can be a huge divergence in the kind of experience offered on retreat.
If you are seeking a monastic-style immersion, a ten-day Vipassana (translated as Insight) retreat may be just the ticket. Or perhaps something considerably softer, with a lighter schedule that includes movement or/and nature connection practices? Are you happy to share a room with (sometimes) many others or is a solo occupancy retreat room a must for you?
Are you seeking a completely silent retreat or does the idea of silence set alarm bells ringing loudly? Would you prefer a secular retreat experience or something with a Buddhist background? Are you happy to help out with preparing veg or cleaning for an hour or so a day?
It is important to consider what appeals, and what’s important to you, before having a look around. Here’s our short guide for UK meditation retreats, as applies to 2025:
UK meditation retreats: popular options
Below are popular options for UK meditation retreats, from luxury small group mindfulness weekends to large group silent retreats, this is definitely not an exhaustive list but a possible starting point! Do not be afraid to contact the retreat centre or organisers with as many questions as you need to ask, to help determine what might suit you best.
Satvada retreats, Norfolk (and silent retreat days in rural Essex). Currently celebrating their tenth birthday, these Guardian-recommended nurturing secular mindfulness retreats include relaxation practices in a friendly small group setting (max just ten guests), set at a luxury manor farm in rural Norfolk. Hosted by two experienced teachers, vegetarian and vegan, fully catered, no chores required! Six practice periods a day with plenty of space inbetween. Much lying down involved! For those seeking luxury, self-care and a rare chance to rest deeply. More info here.
Sharpham Trust, Devon: secular mindfulness retreats in a stunning setting above the River Dart, with relaxation, walking or nature-based practices (areas of the estate are being rewilded). Some silence; typically from the evening meal through to morning. Average group size 25, all solo occupancy rooms, mindfulness practices sprinkled with guided relaxation and different forms of moving meditation (as befits the theme of the retreat). An hour’s ‘karma yoga’ (help with chores) expected per day. Highly recommended for meditation beginners. Full disclosure: this is the author’s favourite place to go on retreat! Train to Totnes, then taxi. More info here.
Vipassana retreats in silence, various sites: monastic-style immersion with a communal flavour; typically large groups. Discpine-building early starts and late finishes, strict schedule with relatively long static ‘sits’ (periods of seated meditation). Shared rooms. More info here.
Gaia House, Devon: highly regarded and long established silent meditation retreats with a light Buddhist feel. Larger size groups (around 50 students), a medium busy schedule of guided sessions, delicious vegetarian and vegan food. An hour’s karma yoga (help with chores) per day expected. Unusually Gaia House offers personal, as well as many led, retreats during which guests keep their own schedule whilst being fully catered for. Train to Newton Abbot, then a 15-minute taxi ride. Highly recommended by the author. More info here.
Gayles, East Sussex: smaller group accessible silent meditation and yoga retreats A family-managed retreat centre on the edge of the Sussex Downs. Attracts visitors ‘with a more serious but not humourless approach, who come here to learn and are open to self-development in whatever area’. Very good quality food and facilities, shared and solo occupancy room options. Easy to reach via public transport (train to Eastbourne). More info here.
Triratna: founded in 1967 the Buddhist retreat centres are part of a world-wide community underscored by an ethos of ‘friendship, encouragement, guidance and inspiration.’ Retreats are offered for those new to meditation and for experienced practitioners. Some karma yoga expected! Different themed retreats include themes such as working retreats, people of colour weekends, yoga and meditation and introductory weekends. More info here.
Samyeling, Scotland: a monastery and international centre of Buddhist training, known for the authenticity of its teachings and tradition. It is a centre for the preservation of Tibetan religion, culture, medicine, art, architecture and handicrafts. Year-round courses and retreats run alongside the lives of a residential community. More info here.
London Insight Meditation: a small independent charity that promotes insight meditation, plus related practices, values and teachings from the Buddhist tradition. Mostly organised as larger group day retreats, the events often feature world-renowned mediation teachers such as Christina Feldman. More info here.
Do you know of a meditation teacher or retreat centre offering UK retreats? Please let us know about it here.
Taking it further:
Satvada retreats runs luxury UK mindfulness weekends and yoga and walking escapes in the awe-inspiring setting of Morocco’s Atlas Mountains. Go here for more.
UK meditation and mindfulness retreats and weekends: a handy guide