If you want to start (or re-start) a mindfulness practice, then this retreat can show you the way.

Expert leaders will introduce you gently to the practice of meditation with guided sitting sessions, mindful walking and periods of silence.

You'll be cared for full-board in Sharpham House, with enough free time for rest and reflection.

And you’ll be able to connect with nature in the very special location of the Sharpham Estate.

Read on for more details on this retreat and click the Leaders, Schedules and Venue & Directions tabs above for further information.

Click here to see our arrangments for managing the Coronavirus

An easy way to explore mindfulness

This retreat is for you if you:

• Haven’t explored mindfulness and meditation before
• Want to re-begin a lapsed mindfulness practice
• Are aged 18 and above

Staying in comfortable community

There will be a maximum of 24 participants on this retreat working mostly in smaller groups to ensure that we can follow social distancing guidelines.

There are periods of silence on each of our retreats.

Because Sharpham House is a Grade 1-listed mansion (with limits to the changes we are allowed to make to the building), few bedrooms come with an en-suite bathroom and toilet. There are shared bathrooms on every floor.

What you’ll experience on this retreat

• experience guided meditations, relaxation sessions and periods of silence and quiet contemplation
• be living in community with like-minded people, sharing experiences and tasks, including the washing-up
• be able to explore our tranquil Capability Brown-designed parkland and our Grade 2*-listed gardens designed by Percy Cane
• have 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.
• enjoy delicious, healthy, home-cooked vegetarian food that regularly receives rave reviews and have access to 24-hour hot teas, coffee & infusions in our Toasting Room
• be cared for full-board in a Grade 1-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
   

Mindfulness in nature at Sharpham

When you experience Sharpham's inspiring and nourishing environment, we hope you'll connect spiritually with the natural world, so you’ll:

• become aware of how we are all part of nature - not artificially separate from it
• pay attention to and appreciate the natural world surrounding us
• explore nature through your senses and your natural creativity
• Tread more lightly on our finite planet, developing a respect and reverence for all living things

Click here to read our ethos and principles

What might you bring?

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. But you might consider the following:

• Comfy clothes for meditation, movement and relaxation
• Slippers (we supply some, but you might prefer your own)
• A journal or notepad if you want to write or draw during your time here
• Swimming gear – we have a small pool that’s open in summer. Click here to read more
• Walking boots – we have wonderful footpaths and routes to explore
• Running gear if you’re a jogger. Some participants love to run on the lanes and footpaths near Sharpham

Find out more about staying in Sharpham House on our Frequently Asked Questions page

Our food & your dietary needs

The retreat is full-board with delicious home-cooked vegetarian food.

In line with sustainable practices across the Estate, our cooks produce seasonal, vegetarian food for our guests. We source food whenever possible from our kitchen garden and support local food suppliers. 

Food allergies & intolerances
Please tell us well in advance of your stay of any food allergies or intolerances you may have.

You can tell us this on the Booking Form via a link we send you in your confirmation email.

Your physical and mental health

This retreat uses techniques and approaches from Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) with trained and qualified teachers and is suitable for you if you are new to mindfulness, or seeking to renew or reconnect with your practice.

Although meditation and mindfulness can be helpful in managing stress, depression and anxiety, our retreats might not be suitable if you are experiencing major depression or other psychiatric illness such as bipolar disorder, psychosis or current self-harming. Click here for more information and for our booking process

We have an accessible en-suite bedroom The Clare Milne Room – click here for details on how to book this room

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

Sharpham was a great experience on many levels. It was an excellent introduction to mindfulness meditation - then to have those sessions woven through three days of stimulating company, delicious, healthy food in a setting so heavenly, made it the perfect still-point in a hectic life.