Retreats for women, in the wilds of Northumberland
Private, all-inclusive residential retreats for women who are traveling solo (one-to-one), or with a friend or female partner, in the wilds of Northumberland and the North Pennines. The focus is on professionally guided wild swimming, walking, and outdoor therapy, but you get to decide what ‘wild’ means to you.
Time and space to be your authentic self
You’ll have your own private en-suite bedroom, or a private bedroom opposite your own bathroom if attending with a friend, in my cosy, colourful, quiet home on the outskirts of a small town in South East Northumberland. We’re five minutes drive from one of the most beautiful beaches on the Northumbrian coast, and close to both the Cheviot Hills and North Pennines. When you’re not enjoying the home comforts, we’ll be out and about in the wilds, walking and wild swimming.
Wilding, your way
If you want a challenge, we can head into the high hills. If you want a ‘wow!’ moment or three, I know where to make that happen. Peace and quiet? We have that in spades. Crashing waves and the sounds of the sea – that can be arranged too.
This isn’t necessarily about ‘re-wilding’ you or your environment, or releasing your inner wild woman, but the retreats can be a step in that direction, if you so choose. Ultimately they are a space and time for you, and whatever you want to use that space and time for. Adventure, excitement, relaxation, digital detox, finding calm, reigniting hope, revealing your strengths, feeling powerful in body and mind, all of the above.
The focus of your retreat…
Can be whatever you want it to be. If you just want to immerse yourself in and appreciate the wild hills and waters of the North East, with the help of a professional Guide (me), we can do that. If you want a bit of extra help managing certain life experiences, or conditions, then the retreats can facilitate that too. As well as being a Wild Swimming Walks Guide, I am an Outdoor and Adventure Therapist over at Little Blue Pootles, and some of what I do involves helping women who live with traumatic experiences such as out of order bereavement; sexual and/or domestic violence or abuse; or with anxiety and depression.
What the retreats are not…
They are not yoga or meditation or luxury spa retreats. Yes walking and wild swimming can be a form of movement meditation, but as far as meditation goes, that’s it! You are welcome to bring your own yoga mat if you would like to practice in the exercise room. And it’s a peaceful enough space for you to meditate without being disturbed. But I am definitely not a yogi. Or a meditation teacher. And whilst there’ll be fancy soap, and a bath for you to use, and some nice oils to put in it, there’ll be no spa treatments. Unless you count the wild cold plunge pools!
What to expect…
There isn’t a sample itinerary as such as it’ll all depend on what you want the focus of your retreat to be, and what you feel you’ll be able to achieve, but as I am responsible for ‘all the things’, it’s important that you know not to expect a five-star hotel level service. This is more of a ‘four star boutique’ experience, where I am very attentive to you and your needs, but I have to ensure that there’s still enough energy left in the tank to serve as your guide (and sometimes therapist), as well as your host.
What the retreats are…
A time and space for you to just turn up to, and be yourself in. You will be fed hearty and nutritious food, and invited to treat my home as your own. If that means lying on the floor, sighing loudly and bemoaning the state of the world, I’ll join you, and then we’ll eat chocolate. In terms of wilding, if wild to you means walking along the beach rather than climbing a hill, then that’s what we do. If paddling appeals more than wild swimming, so be it. Your retreat is tailor made to your needs and requirements, and can be adjusted on the day if you ever feel like “nah, not happening”. No strict itineraries, no pressure.
As well as being your Outdoors Guide, and sometimes therapist, I serve as your companion, agony aunt, cook, chauffeur, and last but by no means least, your sweary friend, so you get a lot of bang for your buck. I’ll not judge you – trust me, it takes a LOT to shock me! Instead I’m here to help you decompress, and to maybe open doors to a different future, or at least help in finding the keys.
Retreat fees
The retreats run throughout the week and weekend, all year, including winter. Just check my availability calendar for the start date you have in mind. I’m still in the process of renovating the house and current prices reflect this, although the rooms you’ll mainly be using have all been decorated and look lovely. Arrival time is 3pm on day 1, departing at 3pm on the final day, with earlier check-in available if arranged in advance. For each night you stay, dinner, breakfast and lunch will be provided. Plus snacks. And chocolate. There can never be enough chocolate. Prices are per person, and there will be a 15% discount on the total price if both rooms are booked together. Details about Christmas & New Year Retreats can be found here, and gift vouchers here.
If you are on a low household income, I make space for 6 retreats each year at a discounted rate, rather than the standard fees set out below. Please contact me to discuss.
1 night, 2 days
£397
2 nights, 3 days
£675
3 nights, 4 days
£885
Contact me
If you’re thinking about booking, you can check my general availability here. But it’s always worth asking me about the dates you have in mind, as I might have had a cancellation, or be able to move things around. Email hayley@pinkpagodaretreats.com, or use the contact form below.
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