There's nothing quite like seeing photos of yogis on the beach [1] to make you want to book a retreat stat, but far-flung health and fitness experiences are beyond the reach of most of us, both in terms of finances and time. However, you can get your wellness fix on British shores . . . including beach-based yoga! Take a look at seven retreats on home turf for all kinds of fitness and well-being goals, and while you count down the days until your retreat, reclaim your lunch break [2] in the meantime.
Matt Roberts Fitness Retreats
Location: Buckinghamshire and the New Forest
Cost: From around £1,000
Matt Roberts Fitness Retreats [3] are held at The Langley in Buckinghamshire and Lime Wood Hotel in the New Forest. At Lime Wood, Matt and his team use the gym and forest surroundings for five hours of training a day, including high-intensity work, running, strength training, Pilates, and yoga. It includes accommodation, food, training programme, daily massages and heat treatments, use of the spa, and Q&A sessions. At The Langley, the high-intensity day retreat includes personal training, sports massage, and dinner with Matt.
Chillout Retreats at Champneys
Location: Hampshire
Cost: From £425 for a two-night retreat
Chillout Retreats at Champneys Forest Mere [4] near Liphook offer a spa-break-style weekend retreat on selected dates throughout the year. These include two nights of luxury accommodation, healthy meals and detox juices, three hatha and Vinyassa flow yoga classes, two guided mindfulness meditation classes, a yogalates class, a self-discovery life coaching workshop, use of the spa facilities and gym, and exercise classes.
Hillmotts Bootcamp Retreats
Location: The Cotswolds
Cost: From £219 for a three-day, £329 for a four-day, and £479 for a six-day boot camp
Hillmotts [5] offers residential fitness boot camps every week of the year (excluding Christmas), which involve activities like boxing, cardio, circuits, military-based fitness, Pilates, yoga, and Zumba. The price includes fitness programmes, accommodation, food, talks on nutrition, and an aftercare pack.
Mind Body Bowl Yoga Retreats
Location: Somerset and London
Cost: From £75 for a day retreat and £500 for a three-day retreat
Mind Body Bowl offers three-day retreats in Somerset and day retreats in London. From 5-8 July there is the Pause Yoga Retreat [6] near Frome in Somerset with yin yoga classes and guided meditation, with accommodation and food included. On Saturday 2 June there is a Day Retreat Mini Series [7] for £75 in Shoreditch (pictured) on how to harness the energy of the Summer through yin yang yoga classes and a workshop.
Yoga With Emma SUP Yoga Retreat
Location: Isle of Wight
Cost: From £399 for four nights
If you want to take your yoga practice to the next level on a retreat, then stand-up paddleboard (SUP) yoga should be on your radar. Emma Spencer-Goodier is offering just that from 22-26 June on her The Long Weekend SUP Yoga Retreat [8], which involves surfing, yoga, SUP yoga and safaris, and beach sunrise meditations. It includes accommodation, food, activities, and wetsuit hire.
Bailiffscourt Hotel & Spa Surf & Turf Fitness Retreat
Location: West Sussex
Cost: From £505 for two nights (double occupancy) or £740 (single occupancy)
Bailiffscourt Hotel & Spa's Surf & Turf Fitness Retreat [9] brings together the in-house personal trainers and the founders of Inergise Training for a two-night retreat based in the spa hotel's grounds and Climping beach. It includes accommodation, food, private consultation, nine types of fitness sessions, use of spa facilities and pools, and a workout plan to take home.
Wild & Free Surf & Yoga Retreats
Location: Cornwall
Cost: From £495 for three nights
Wild & Free Surf & Yoga [10] weekend retreats include six yoga sessions and two guided surf sessions. There are daily morning meditation and Vinyasa flow classes and evening restorative yoga sessions. You'll stay in a luxury yurt in Yurt Village at The Park, Mawgan Porth, with an indoor pool, steam room, and sauna. A private chef prepares your three meals a day, which are eaten at the fire pit or inside the cottage kitchen.