droplets on leaves to illustrate the digital detox mindfulness retreat at The Sharpham Trust
Debbie Geraghty

Reclaim Your Attention – 3-night digital detox retreat in Sharpham House

Summary

1 Reviews
3 nights - Annually
Any meditation experience
Single
Short periods of silence
Max. Spaces: 20

Overview

It’s something of an irony that our heightened digital connections - whilst bringing huge benefits - can give us fewer chances for meaningful and authentic connection.

Spending too much time on our devices can leave us feeling stressed, anxious or depressed - but time in nature, training our attention through mindfulness can be a powerful antidote to digital distraction and a way to reclaim our attention.

This digital-detox retreat will remind you of the power of connecting with yourself again.
 

Maybe there’s a balance to be had, where digital information and devices can be kept in their place as a fantastic tool for supporting interaction with others and the wider world, but where it never replaces that thing that matters more: close human connections - Positive News UK on the value of a digital detox

This retreat is for you if you

  • are concerned about the amount of time you spend online
  • could benefit from disconnecting from digital devices to spend more time connecting to yourself, nature and community
  • would like to develop a healthier relationship to your digital devices
  • suffer from low energy or feelings of anxiety or stress from spending too much time online
What is Mindfulness?

What you'll experience on this retreat

  • a break from screens and digital devices
  • the chance to slow down and reset your nervous system 
  • restorative mindfulness, meditation, self-compassion and nature connection practices
  • gentle, mindful movement practices
  • a simple and spacious programme
  • periods of silence
  • life in community with like-minded people, sharing experiences and the opportunity to bring mindfulness to some everyday household tasks
  • the chance to explore our tranquil Capability Brownian parkland and our Grade 2*-listed gardens designed by Percy Cane
  • a single-occupancy room 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. Click here to explore our rooms.
  • Delicious, healthy, home-cooked vegetarian food that regularly receives rave reviews, with access to 24-hour hot teas, coffee & infusions in our Toasting Room
  • being cared for full-board in a Grade I-listed Georgian House surrounded by history and art, with staff looking after you, in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty close to nature, amid breath-taking scenery on the banks of the River Dart
People reading on Sharpham Trust digital detox retreat

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
View our FAQs

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 - 9.50am the following day

Typical retreat schedule

Day 1: Arrive between 3-5pm for welcoming talk and settling in

Mornings Afternoons
7.00am - wake up  12.30pm - guided sitting meditation
7.30am – mindful movement  1.00pm - lunch
8.00am - guided sitting meditation 2.30pm – Personal time
8.30am – breakfast and tasks 5.20pm - guided sitting meditation
9.50am – home groups 6.00pm – supper and tasks
10.30am - walk of the grounds or personal time 8.00pm - Meditation / Teaching
  9.00pm – House moves into silence until 9.50am the next day

Final day: There is a closing circle at 10.30am and depart at 12 noon. The retreat will move into silence each evening from 9pm – 9.50am, and till 2.30pm on day 3.

Reviews

[Sharpham] House is a very lovely place in which to detox digitally, nutritionally and mentally. Highly recommend.

A participant on a Sharpham House retreat
See all Reviews

Sharpham House in Spring

Sharpham House

Sharpham House is the perfect place to experience a mindfulness retreat: a Grade I-listed Georgian mansion at the centre of the stunning Sharpham Estate, where you're nurtured with delicious vegetarian and vegan food (much of it grown organically in our Walled Garden).

The House is set in beautiful gardens, surrounded by a parkland designed originally by Capability Brown, offering calming views over the River Dart, in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Get Directions View Venue

Leaders

Nina Jankelson - assistant manager of The Barn retreat centre at Sharpham
Nina Jankelson - retreat leader Read more +
Ollie Frame
Ollie Frame Read more +

Costs

£395 Standard room, single occupancy, full-board
£455 Premium room, single occupancy, full-board
£555 Heritage room, single occupancy, full-board

(see also room types below)


There will be a maximum of 20 guests on this retreat.

All rooms are single occupancy, giving you your own space in which to relax.

If you have a medical condition that requires you to have an en-suite room, please contact the Programme Administrator on the number below as these rooms are limited and are bookable on a first-come first-serve basis.

Book easily and securely online or by phoning 01803 732542

Terms & Conditions

Please click here to see our booking and cancellations policy

Room Types

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

Available dates

2025 30 Jan

Sharpham House: Reclaim Your Attention - digital detox retreat (3 nights)

With Nina Jankelson & Ollie Frame