A retreat for people aged 18-30 offering nature connection and mindfulness practices.
"I have no doubt you can help to create a better world, as I have no doubt about the immeasurable potential of youth"
- Thich Nhat Hanh, peace and mindfulness activist in his Message to the Youth
The Coach House is offering young people a safe space to come together to share the retreat experience and nurture our capacity for joy, compassion and connection.
You'll be cared for full-board, with plenty of time for rest, reflection and nature connection in the very special location of the Sharpham Estate.
"Fantastic experience and game-changer for seeing the world and yourself in a different perspective. Will come back again!"
- Coach House retreatant giving us a 5-star Google Review
This Coach House retreat features morning sessions helping in our ornamental and Walled Garden in the grounds of Sharpham House, alongside our experienced staff Frances, Bryony and Amy.
We manage the gardens organically and the produce we grow supplies the kitchens in Sharpham House and the Coach House.
There are a mixture of tasks on our nature-mindfulness retreats, depending on the season. We invite you to bring your awareness to the land, plants and the nature surrounding you at Sharpham.
You don't need to know anything about gardening to participate - our team will support and assist you.
This retreat includes the opportunity to learn more about our Rewilding efforts with a morning session led by an Ambios Team member who look after our rewilding project and deliver conservation training on the estate.
Find Out MoreIf 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:
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.
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 - 9/9.30am the following day
Day 1: Arrive between 3 - 5pm for welcome meeting and settling in
Mornings | Afternoons |
---|---|
6.45am - wake up | 1.00pm - meditation |
7.00am – morning movement/meditation | 1.30pm - lunch |
8.00am - household tasks | 3.00pm – free time or group walk |
8.30am – breakfast | 6.00pm – supper |
9.30am – Home Group (silence ends) | 8.00pm - meditation and deep rest |
10.30am - gardening | 9.00pm – Personal time (Coach House moves into silence until 9.30am the next day) |
Final day: depart by 11am
The retreat will move into silence each evening from 9pm – 9/9.30am and on one full day in each retreat.
When you stay at The Coach House, you'll be in comfy, single rooms in a beautifully converted 18th century stable block, set in the stunning scenery of Sharpham's grounds. You'll experience daily meditation and movement sessions, time in our gardens and on the land and you'll eat delicious and homegrown vegetarian and vegan meals.
Coach House retreats focus on nature connection through a varied programme of retreats designed to connect you to Sharpham's flora and fauna, with plenty of time for you to rest and reflect.
Get Directions View VenuePlaces on The Coach House Retreat for young people are offered at a reduced rate because we recognise that the majority of young people have less access to financial means than average. We want to be accessible to as many people as is feasible, and to encourage more young people to be able to come on retreat at The Coach House.
Supported Rate £195
The Sharpham Trust is committed to ensuring that retreats are accessible to all - regardless of income. The Trust therefore offers a heavily subsidised Supported Rate for those unable to pay the Standard or Benefactor Rate.
Standard Rate £300
Paying the Standard Rate means you will be contributing towards our running costs, supporting the work of The Coach House and helping retreatants on lower incomes to access our retreats.
Benefactor Rate £495
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 Coach House, 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.
There will be a maximum of 18 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
Please click here to see our booking and cancellations policy
Click here for more information on our types of bedrooms and facilities.
This retreat is already discounted but limited 50% bursaries offering reduced-price retreats are available for those experiencing financial hardship on our other retreats. 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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