Alchemy with Nature
Retreat
Autumn Retreat. 2–4 October 2026.
The Rusland Valley, Lake District
One place already reserved — 11 remaining.
Alchemy with Nature is not a retreat you attend.
It's something you enter.
A different rhythm. A different way of being.
Where the noise drops away… and something more honest begins to speak.
Your body softens. Your senses open. Creativity returns.
A quiet aliveness moves through you again.
Not forced. Not guided into.
Just… remembered.
Held in a 12-acre private temperate rainforest, this is a space to meet the natural world ~ and yourself ~ in a more pure, unfiltered way.
To walk gently. To listen. To be.
To be met by the land… and by other women… without needing to be anything other than who you are.
There is space here for rest. For connection. For something deeper to awaken.
THE REAL LUXURY OF 2026
Not a spa. Not a schedule packed with activities.
The real luxury right now…
is quiet.
Time away from the noise. Away from the screen. Away from the endless doing.
Space to stop. To feel again. To remember what actually matters.
This is a tech-free, screen-free space.
No WiFi demands. No notifications. No performing for anyone.
Just you. The woodland. And a small community of women who came for the same thing.
A quietcation — for your mind, your nervous system, and your soul.
Coming Home
This is not just rest.
It's a remembering.
A return to something your body recognises… even if your mind can't fully explain it.
No pressure to share. No need to perform. No expectations to be anything other than you are.
Just space to breathe. To slow down. To feel again.
What Women Experience In The Forest
Again and again, women say the same thing after being in nature in community:
"I felt safe."
Not because anything was forced. Not because they were guided into anything.
But because their body was finally able to relax.
And from that place… something begins to shift. In a way that's hard to explain but deeply felt.
The mind softens. The constant noise begins to fade. Your body realises… it doesn't have to be on anymore.
And something more natural… more honest… emerges.
Something in you remembers.
In Her Words
“I cannot begin to express how much I enjoyed it. It was truly wonderful.
I realised I don’t notice the beauty in things ~ I’m too wrapped up in my head.
But to slow down and really notice… I found extremely powerful.
I have never in my whole life written a poem… and suddenly the words just came. It’s like I’ve been given the gift of noticing.”
“I honestly feel that two decades of my held pain was absorbed by the woodland today… effortlessly.
The spell woven by the trees and birds, creating another reality where all burdens and hurts may be softly laid to rest.
No need to carry them any longer.”
This Is For You If
You feel constantly "on"… even when you're meant to be resting
You're tired of carrying work, family, and life in your body
You struggle to fully switch off
You crave quiet… but don't know how to access it anymore
You feel a sense of loneliness… even when surrounded by people
You miss being around women who get you
You want space to just be… without performing or holding everything together
Over The Weekend, Women Typically Experience
The mind becoming quieter — without forcing it
The body releasing tension it didn't know it was holding
A sense of being genuinely held — without needing to perform
Feeling more like themselves — clearer, softer, more present
How This Space Is Held
This is not just forest bathing as a practice.
It’s a space where something deeper - often long forgotten - begins to re-emerge.
Small, intimate group — maximum 12 women
Outdoor-led, with nature as the primary guide
Exclusive use of private 12-acre temperate rainforest
No pressure to share, perform, or process
Spacious pacing with time to rest and integrate
Tech-free and screen-free — very limited signal, no WiFi
Simple, nourishing vegan meals
Calm, held container from arrival to departure
The intention is not to lead you somewhere… but to create the conditions where something within you can naturally return.
the setting
A secluded haven nestled between Coniston and Lake Windermere. 12 acres of ancient private woodland. Forest paths. Open clearings. Fire spaces. Quiet places to simply be.
The land is not just the setting. It is the essential part of the experience.
I first came to this woodland in 2020 to complete my forest therapy training. I held two six-week Forest Therapy courses here in 2021. Since then I've returned many times — through every season, every weather — and now volunteer here.
I know this land intimately.
It is ancient, magical, and deeply held. A sacred place for women to gather, heal, connect, and let go.
Retreat Flow
Friday 2 October — Arrive & Land
Arrival from 4:00pm.
Settle into the woodland space and accommodation.
Light evening meal.
Opening circle
Evening forest immersion and grounding
Fire and time to unwind
Saturday 3 October — Deepen & Rest
Slow morning in the forest
Extended nature immersion and forest bathing
Time to rest, wander, or simply be
Optional gentle local hike in the afternoon
Evening women's circle
Fire, starlight, and gentle movement
Sunday 4 October — Integrate & Close
Morning forest immersion
Closing circle
Lunch together
Departure around 2:30–3:00pm
The pace is intentionally unhurried.
Space throughout to follow your own rhythm ~ whether that's resting, being quiet, or going deeper.
Retreat Includes
Guided forest bathing and nature immersion
Women's circle
Opening and closing circles
Fire gatherings
Private 12-acre ancient woodland
2 nights shared bunkbarn accommodation (tent option available)
All nourishing vegan meals — breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks
Hot and cold drinks throughout
A local gentle hike in nature
A space designed for rest, regulation, and reconnection
Accommodation
Simple, cosy bunkbarn nestled within the woodland. Communal kitchen and sitting area with wood burner. Shared bedrooms.
Tent space available if you prefer more privacy ~ same price.
Very limited mobile signal. No WiFi.
This is a rare opportunity to fully switch off.
This is a back-to-basics stay, not a luxury retreat setting. The simplicity is intentional — it's part of how the woodland works on you.
Please bring: sleeping bag or duvet, pillowcase, waterproof clothing, something waterproof to sit on, sturdy footwear, warm layers.
Food
All meals are included ~ breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks throughout.
Nourishing, home-made vegan meals lovingly prepared to support rest, digestion, and the slower rhythm of the weekend.
Dietary requirements catered for: vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, egg-free, sugar-conscious. Please let us know your needs in advance.
Getting There
The retreat takes place in the Rusland Valley ~ a quieter, lesser-known corner of the Lake District, nestled between Coniston and Windermere. Largely untouched by tourism.
By car: approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours from Manchester Airport (87 miles).
By train: Ulverston is reachable from Manchester Airport via Barrow-in-Furness.
Full location details provided upon booking ~ the site is within a private woodland setting.
Weather
This is a temperate rainforest. Rain is part of the rhythm of the land ~ and the woodland is beautiful in all weathers.
We go outside whatever the weather. Indoor space is available for meals and rest.
The changing weather is part of how the land works on you.
Please bring waterproofs and warm layers.
INVESTMENT
£350
Includes 2 nights accommodation, all meals, and all guided sessions.
£150 deposit secures your place. £200 balance due by 2 August 2026. Full payment available at booking.
Maximum 12 women — one place already reserved.
PRACTICAL DETAILS
Cancellation Policy
£150 deposit is non-refundable unless the retreat is cancelled by the organiser
£200 balance due by 2 August 2026
Full payment available at booking
Place transfer available if you cancel after paying in full (subject to agreement)
Full refund if organiser cancels for any reason
Personal travel insurance strongly recommended
FAQ
Do I need to bring my own bedding?
Yes ~ sleeping bag or duvet, and a pillowcase if you prefer your own. Mattresses are provided. Woodland evenings are cool even in October
What level of fitness is needed?
Slow, gentle walking on uneven woodland paths. You don't need to be highly fit ~ just comfortable at a relaxed pace in natural terrain. If you're unsure, get in touch before booking.
What if it rains?
We still go outside. Rain is part of nature's rhythm and the woodland holds us beautifully in all weather. Indoor space is available for meals and rest.
Is this suitable if I experience anxiety or low mood?
Forest bathing and nature connection are widely shown to support nervous system regulation and wellbeing. Many women find it deeply grounding during periods of mild to moderate anxiety or low mood. This retreat is not therapy and is not a substitute for clinical care. If you are currently under clinical support or experiencing significant mental health challenges, please get in touch before booking.
Is this suitable if I'm new to retreats?
Yes. There is no expectation to share, perform, or participate beyond what feels comfortable. You are welcome exactly as you are.
Can I come alone?
Yes. Most women attend alone. The retreat is designed to feel welcoming and supportive for solo participants.
Is this a therapeutic or trauma-focused retreat?
No. This is a nature-led space for rest, regulation, and reconnection ~ intentionally gentle, not designed for deep therapeutic processing.
What if I need to cancel?
Please see the Cancellation Policy above. Personal travel insurance strongly recommended.