Norfolk Mindfulness for Wellbeing retreats
November 29, 2024 - December 2, 2024
Welcome
Highly recommended by The Guardian our beloved Norfolk Mindfulness for Wellbeing weekends are for guests seeking a luxurious, small group retreat in tranquil countryside. A total of 15 meditation and relaxation sessions, slow silent walks from the door, brilliant vegetarian catering and plentiful opportunity to read, rest and detox from tech and ‘to do’ lists!
Time to curl up with a book and cup of tea
Your retreat experience
“The sessions, venue, food were all superb. I definitely benefited from the digital detox and from relaxing in such luxurious surroundings. The quiet was just wonderful. Thank you so much.” - Sue L
“Absolutely brilliant; loved every minute. Thank you.” - Sinead D
We created our treasured Norfolk Mindfulness for Wellbeing weekends after searching for a deeply nurturing and luxurious retreat for ourselves as students.
Our requirements were: an outstanding, plush countryside venue; solo occupancy (double) room option; fabulous food where washing and clearing up are blissfully taken care of; very gentle sessions that included guided relaxation practices weaved around mindfulness; time and space to slow down and rest into replenishing quiet time.
When we couldn’t find every wish on the - rather long! - requirement retreat list we decided to create our own! And so, in 2015, our boutique Mindfulness for Wellbeing weekends were born.
A few years later they were reviewed by the Guardian’s travel editor at the time. In February 2022, after a two-year break during the pandemic, these long Norfolk weekends resumed at a smaller venue: a gorgeous Manor House with eight lovely bedrooms and stunning period features.
Now hosting a rare maximum of just twelve retreat guests - with an average of just nine - these luxury long weekends are still led by our two experienced mindful yoga and meditation teachers Lucia and Vikki.
We love hosting these retreats: a chance to let go of technology, drop down some gears and live well amongst like-minded people; tp shake off winter blues and retreat to the big skies and rolling countryside of rural Norfolk. It is a setting that naturally invites rest, space and reflection.
Guests socialise as much or little as they wish with the group coming together at mealtimes, practice sessions and in the two lovely lounge areas. Often there is companionable silence as guests enjoy space to read or sit quietly with a cup of tea: the slow, peaceful, precious moments of which retreats are made.
Practice sessions: what to expect
In keeping with the nature of these weekends, practices are exceptionally soft and gentle, drawn from various contemplative aspects of the wider mindfulness and soft yoga traditions.
A long weekend total of 15 guided sessions offers a combination of mindfulness, guided relaxation, very gentle mindful movement, restorative yoga and slow silent walks from the door.
Some sessions contain the word ‘yoga’ in the title. However, please note: our sessions are very different from the usual Western understanding of active physical yoga. They will definitely not suit those seeking conventional or strong dynamic yoga!
Please also note: mindfulness is not recommended for those currently suffering from moderate to severe depression or anxiety. Please do get in touch if you are unsure.
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Friday, November 29 - Monday Decembr 2, 2024
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Five mindfulness and relaxation classes for each full day.
Accommodation - as selected at checkout.
Meals - Breakfast, light lunch, two-course evening meal, healthy snacks, tea/coffee.
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Travel to/from the venue
Insurance.
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We provide breakfast, light lunch and a two-course evening meal. All food is vegetarian. Fruit and snacks will be available throughout each day and there will be a light afternoon tea option!
Cost & booking
October 21 update: one room / two places sharing has become available - please email us.
Solo occupancy options:
Solo occupancy, luxury master en-suite bedroom, first floor: £1099 per person
Solo occupancy, master luxury bedroom, shared bathroom top floor: £999 per person (note: three flights of stairs)
Solo occupancy, downstairs en-suite room: £999 per person
Solo occupancy, first or top floor sharing bathroom: £949
Two people sharing & booking together:
Double master luxury en-suite bedroom, first floor: £849 per person
Double master luxury bedroom, shared bathroom top floor: £799 per person (note: three flights of stairs)
Twin/double bedroom, downstairs en-suite room: £799 per person
Twin/double room for two people, first or top floor sharing large bathroom: £699 per person
Important notes:
A non-refundable £350 per person deposit holds your space. Full balance is due 12 weeks before the retreat.
Our light-filled relaxation and mindfulness space
Our host Manor House: what to expect
This gorgeous historic Manor House was lovingly restored in 2012, with stunning original features blending beautifully with plush contemporary decor.
The hall dates back to the 1600s and was once owned by an Admiral and also by Roger Pepys, cousin to the famous diarist Samuel Pepys.
Often used as a small, exclusive wedding venue this special house is also a working farm, set in 350 acres of Norfolk countryside typified by big skies and open horizons.
Our guests tell us they love the boutique design, light neutral decor, thoughtful touches and feeling of privacy, calm and space.
Notable features including eight luxurious bedrooms, historic open plan kitchen and dining room complete with old wishing well, two lovely lounge spaces and a large conservatory leading out to gardens and fiends - the peaceful setting for our practice sessions.
Bedrooms are plush and spacious with individual characters and private views out to the grounds. They include a large honeymoon suite ensuite room and an easily accessible ensuite room on the ground floor. Non-ensuite bedrooms share a beautiful large family bathroom: one luxury bathroom between two rooms.
Catering: what to expect
Mealtimes are always a highlight of being cared for on retreat. All aspects of catering - laying the table, clearing up, washing up cups - are fully taken care of, meaning energy reserves are fully for ourselves.
We have been working with our wonderful team of chefs for the past decade. Adept at rustling up imaginative vegetarian meals, many guests arrive as carnivores and leave as enthusiastic vegetarians!
We start each day with fruit, coffee and tea (both caffeinated and herbal options) and enjoy a substantial, beautifully crafted brunch.
A light lunch is a home-made seasonal soup with bread roll before afternoon tea in the form of a scone or cake. After evenings practices we are served a two-course meal. Teas, coffee, fruit and healthy snacks are available throughout the day.
As with all our retreat meals we aim to provide wholesome, tasty fare balanced with homemade treats!
Whilst we will try to accommodate all dietary requirements, please contact us to check before booking.
“The quieter you become, the more you can hear.” - Ram Dass
Your teachers
Lucia, co-founder of Yoga At The Mill and Satvada Retreats, loves co-teaching these treasured Norfolk retreat weekends.
She has been practising various forms of Yoga and Meditation for 26 years and teaching Yoga and secular Mindfulness in classes, workshops and on UK and international retreats for 16 years.
Her recent studies have included a two-year postgraduate Mindfulness Teacher Training at Bangor University and Somatic Yoga with Charlotte Watts. She is currently studying for a Level 2 Counselling Certificate.
Lucia is fascinated by the powerful therapeutic aspects of gentle mindful movement and mindfulness and particularly enjoys teaching small groups on retreat.
Vikki has been practising yoga for the past 20 years. She takes inspiration from a variety of styles, with a focus on breath-led movement and on working with our own individual bodies.
Vikki is passionate about the therapeutic side of Yoga and has studied Yoga for those living with cancer, Yoga Therapy for women’s health and pregnancy and postnatal yoga.
She has recently completed a two-year Yoga Therapy course with London’s highly regarded Life Centre.
Vikki also has a strong interest in the transformative practice of Yoga Nidra, a deep guided method of relaxation.
