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Woodland Retreat: Deepening nature connection (5 nights)
Summary
Overview
Experience mindfulness meditation and a transformative connection to nature – in an incredible Woodland Retreat setting far from life's frantic pace.
Sharpham Woodland Retreat participants speak of feelings of gratitude, wonder, calm, self-insight and positive emotions afterwards.
Participants explore the gardens and the wider estate guided by our experienced leaders.
Our Woodland Retreats run seasonally from June to September.
This retreat is for you if:
- You love the outdoors and nature or would like to experience nature in a different way (you don't have to be an experienced camper to attend)
- You are longing to spend time in nature with the chance to reconnect with your true and authentic self
- You are new to mindfulness or are looking to sustain and reconnect with your practice in a new way
- Are aged 18 and above
What you'll experience on this retreat:
- be living in community with like-minded people, sharing experiences and tasks
- nature connection and nature sensing activities - cultivating moment to moment awareness in the outdoors and an exploration of how the wider natural world can act as a mirror and support for our own unique experience
- the opportunity to deepen your connection to your inner life, through contemplative practice, group sharing and personal reflection in nature. This will include a supported reflective solo day on the land.
- time for rest and replenishment in a very special natural setting
- have a single-occupancy furnished bell-tent, and your own space in which to rejuvenate, with free time to deeply rest and reconnect with yourself, far from the busy-ness of daily life.
- participate in accessible and engaging nature connection and nature sensing activities - cultivating moment to moment awareness in the outdoors
- be able to explore our tranquil Capability Brown-designed parkland and our Grade 2*-listed gardens designed by Percy Cane
- enjoy delicious, healthy, home-cooked vegetarian food that regularly receives rave reviews
- be nurtured within a safe and supported space with time around the fire
What you'll need to know:
If you decide to stay with us, we’ll send you a list of what you need to bring for this retreat in your Welcome Letter that we send out after you've booked.
You can also find out more about staying with us on our Frequently Asked Questions page, including:
- accessibility information
- why we encourage you to come on your own and not with partners or friends
- what the difference is between our retreats
Schedule
If you're coming to stay with us on retreat, it is important to make a commitment to arrive in time for the first group meeting and to attend all the days.
This ensures you experience the retreat programme from start to finish and helps your group of participants to gel.
Silence
All our retreats include periods of silence as a way of deepening into mindful awareness.
If you are new to spending time in silence in the company of other people, it can feel awkward to begin with. But we encourage you to explore the silent periods with a spirit of openness and curiosity - people usually find it to be a positive experience.
The retreats typically move into silence each evening from 9pm - 10am the following day
Typical Schedule
Day 1:
| Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|
| 3.00pm - 5.00pm – Arrival and unload | 6.30pm - Supper and washing up |
| 5.00pm - Welcome meeting, settling in | 8pm - Evening gathering |
| 9.00pm - Camp moves into silence till the following morning, supporting individual mindfulness and reflection |
Typical Day:
| Morning | Afternoon/Evening |
|---|---|
| 7.00am – wake up | 1.00pm - lunch & tasks followed by personal time |
| 7.30am – movement & meditation | 4.00pm – afternoon session |
| 8.30am – Breakfast & tasks | 6.30pm - supper & tasks |
| 10am - Group Sharing Circle | 8pm - Evening gathering |
| 11am – morning session | 9.00pm – camp moves into silence |
Final day: There is a closing circle at 10am and depart at 12 noon.
See all Reviews
Woodland Retreats
Immerse yourselves in the great outdoors through one of our Woodland retreats. You'll stay in single-occupancy, furnished bell-tents, spend time mindfully in nature and dine on delicious vegetarian and vegan food.
You'll benefit from daily meditation and supportive mindfulness leaders, with ample time to explore the incredible Sharpham Estate. We offer 3-night, 5-night, canoeing and women's woodland retreats.
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By Car
By Train
By Taxi
On foot or cycle from Totnes
By CoachLeaders
Barry Thurgood
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Maite Alonso
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Costs
£550 - Supported Rate
The Sharpham Trust is committed to ensuring that its retreats are accessible to all - regardless if income. The Supported Rate is for those unable to pay the Standard or Benefactor Rate.
£595 – Standard Rate
Paying the Standard Rate means you will be contributing towards our running costs, supporting the work of The Sharpham Trust and helping retreatants of lower incomes to access our retreats.
£650 – Benefactor Rate
If you are able to pay the Benefactor Rate, that means that you'll be supporting others who cannot afford to benefit from a retreat on The Sharpham Estate. Your choice to pay this rate will help us with the running costs of The Sharpham Trust, enabling us to continue our charitable work connecting people to nature and fostering mindfulness and wellbeing, as well as caring for the land, wildlife and wider estate.
You can book easily and securely online below, by phoning 01803 732542 or by [email protected]
Tents & facilities
Click here for more information on our types of bedrooms and facilities.
Bursaries
Limited 50% bursaries offering reduced-price retreats are available for those experiencing financial hardship. Please contact the Programme Administrator at least 4 weeks in advance if you wish to apply.
Our bursary fund relies on donations. If you’d like to help another to go on retreat here through our bursary scheme, you can give online quickly and easily by clicking here
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Available dates
2025
20
Aug
Woodland Retreat: Deepening Nature Connection (5 nights)
With Steve Banks & Lindsay Alderton
2025
20
Sep
Woodland Retreat: Deepening Nature Connection (5 nights)
With Brigit-Anna McNeill & Rupert Marques
At the heart of the Sharpham Trust ethos is our desire to build a more mindful, compassionate and environmentally sustainable world.
We connect people with nature and foster mindfulness and well-being through our programme of retreats, mindfulness courses, outdoor learning and the arts.
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