Hear FIRST about retreats & events at The Sharpham Trust

We aim to have details about this retreat in September 2021

Rest and be supported by the beautiful setting of Sharpham House at the beginning of a fresh year.

New Year can be a good opportunity for reflection and consideration.

And if you are to listen to yourself, the tranquillity of Sharpham will support that – even at a time in the calendar that’s often hectic and noisy.

This retreat offers meditation and plenty of free time to rest and connect with nature as you prepare for another year.

The leaders of this retreat – drawn from our wide pool of experienced leaders – will help you to develop and extend your mindful experience.

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

A New Year with peace and silence

This retreat is for you if you:

• want a New Year that is peace-filled, tranquil and contemplative
• are prepared to experience a New Year's Day in nourishing silence
• are aged 18 and above

We regret that this retreat is not suitable for couples.

The New Year retreat programme includes 3 daily meditation sessions with periods of silence to help strengthen the practice.

New Year's Day will be spent in silence.

During this retreat, there will be question-and-answer sessions and guidance in bringing mindfulness, compassion, joy and equanimity into daily life.

The number of participants on this retreat is TBC.

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.

During this retreat you’ll:

• practice guided and non-guided meditations, exploring and developing mindfulness in the supportive company of others with time for discussion and personal practice
• be living in safe community with like-minded people
• be able to explore our tranquil Capability Brown-designed parkland and our Grade 2*-listed gardens designed by Percy Cane
• 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
• have relaxation sessions and free time to deeply rest and reconnect with yourself, far from the usual busy-ness of the New Year period.
• 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
• experience periods of silence and quiet contemplation, including a whole day of silence on New Year’s Day
   

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
• A journal or notepad if you want to write or draw during your time here
• 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. The Estate's farm tenants produce award-winning wine and cheese as well as organic eggs, meat and vegetables.

We can accommodate the following dietary needs: vegan, wheat-free, gluten-free, dairy-free as long as you have included these on your Booking Form. Please alert us to any food allergies you have. The booking form is sent as a link once you have booked and paid for a retreat.

Your physical and mental health

This retreat 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 clinically diagnosed 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.

This was the best New Year’s Eve I have ever had. I’ve never felt so nurtured, supported and cared for.