Five of the best “wellness” retreats

Go kayaking in Cornwall, run on the beach in Devon and practise yoga in Suffolk. Alice Feilden reports.

Sharpham Woodland Retreat
You’ll need to be fit to keep up with the walks from Sharpham House in Devon
(Image credit: © Vicki Couchman)

Meditative walks by the River Dart

Sharpham House on the banks of the River Dart in Devon is the perfect base for a walking retreat, says Ellie Smith in Country & Town House. Retreats in the Grade I-listed Georgian mansion offer “a more active trip” than some other wellness getaways. There is a daily seven- to eight-mile walk through beautiful countryside, though much of this is very hilly and the organisers specify that you’ll need “good fitness levels” to keep up. The “breathtaking scenery” and “periods of silence” help retreatants develop “appreciation and respect for the natural world” during their stay. The Devon escape also offers “guided meditations and relaxation sessions” and you’ll be “treated to delicious vegetarian food”, from local and sustainable sources. The cost of a four-night full-board stay starts at around £395 per person (sharphamtrust.org).

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Alice is a freelance journalist, copywriter and researcher who is currently studying for an MA in Financial Journalism.