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Nourishing the Heart: 5-night Mindfulness & Self-compassion Retreat
Summary
Overview
Compassion can be defined as "sensitivity to suffering and the willingness to alleviate it”.
Many people can be kind and supportive of others, whilst struggling to apply this same attitude to themselves. All too often we slip into patterns of judging and criticising ourselves, a habitual yet unhelpful strategy, making the challenges that we face more difficult.
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in practices that cultivate self-compassion and kindness. There's an expanding body of research showing the positive effect such practices have on emotional well-being, self-care, physical health and personal relationships.
Some of these benefits appear to be specific to compassion practices rather than standard mindfulness practice alone.
These retreats, involving skilled and trained leaders, draw on recently-developed and evidence-backed approaches such as Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC), Mindfulness-based Compassionate Living (MBCL) and the work of Paul Gilbert, founder of Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT).
*Given the nature of self-compassion practices, it is common for old trauma to arise, particularly around Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). We ask that if you have been subject to any ACEs that you discuss with a psychologist or therapist before attending to see if this retreat is appropriate for you at this time.
This retreat is for you if:
- would like to connect more with the qualities of the heart, such as compassion, kindness, gratitude and sympathetic joy.
- want to deepen your mindfulness practice and learn a new set of practices within this approach.
- find yourself criticising or judging yourself harshly.
- want to learn wiser and more helpful ways to relate to difficulties.
- are interested in understanding yourself better and learning about how and why we get into unhelpful patterns.
What you'll experience on this retreat:
- guided meditation and practices to support you in everyday life,
- periods of silence and quiet contemplation
- lliving in community with like-minded people, sharing experiences and the opportunity to bring mindfulness to some everyday household tasks
- be able to explore our tranquil Capability Brownian 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 I-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
Decrease self-negativity and develop a kinder internal voice
Armel Wraight, one of the leaders on this retreat, explains what you're likely to experience when you choose this retreat to help develop or deepen your self-compassion.
Says Armel: "If you're on a journey of healing or self-growth or exploration, then self-compassion is likely to be a part of that journey, increasing your ability to support yourself, to nourish yourself, to look after yourself and decreasing self-negativity, that tendency most of us have to beat ourselves up for things".
This retreat enables you to practice mindfulness and meditation in a safe and supportive space, with wise and experienced leaders alongside.
What you need to know:
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 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
- accessibility information
- why we encourage you to come on your own and not with partners or friends
- what the difference is between our retreats
Schedule
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.
Silence
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 - 10.15am the following day
Typical retreat schedule
Day 1: Arrive between 3-5pm for welcoming talk and settling in
| Mornings | Afternoons |
|---|---|
| 7.00am - wake up | 12.15pm - meditation |
| 7.30am – mindful movement | 1.00pm - lunch and household tasks |
| 8.00am - meditation | 3.30pm – personal time or group walk |
| 8.30am – breakfast and household tasks | 5.00pm - teaching/meditation |
| 10.15am – daily meeting, break the silence | 6.00pm – supper and household tasks |
| 11.30am - personal time | 8.00pm – evening session |
| 9.00pm – House moves into silence until 9.50am the next day |
Final day: There is a closing meeting at 10.15am, and your departure by 12noon.
Sharpham House
Sharpham House is the perfect place to experience a mindfulness retreat: a Grade I-listed Georgian mansion at the centre of the stunning Sharpham Estate, where you're nurtured with delicious vegetarian and vegan food (much of it grown organically in our Walled Garden).
The House is set in beautiful gardens within 18th century parkland thought to have been designed by Capability Brown, offering calming views over the River Dart, in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
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By Car
By Train
By Taxi
On foot or cycle from Totnes
By CoachLeaders
Armel Wraight
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Ethan Pollock
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Lindsay Alderton
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Ramiro Ortega
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Costs
Retreats taking place up to September
- £625 - Standard room, single occupancy, full-board
- £675 - Premium room, single occupancy, full-board
- £775 - Heritage room, single occupancy, full-board
Retreats taking place from October onwards
- £625 - Standard room, single occupancy, full-board
- £695 - Premium room, single occupancy, full-board
- £795 - Heritage room, single occupancy, full-board
There will be a maximum of 20 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
Terms & Conditions
Please click here to see our booking and cancellations policy
Room Types
Click here for more information on our types of bedrooms and facilities.
Bursaries
Limited 50% bursaries offering reduced-price retreats are available for those experiencing financial hardship. 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
Available dates
2025
22
Jul
Sharpham House: Nourishing the Heart – mindfulness & self-compassion retreat (5 nights)
With Ramiro Ortega & Lindsay Alderton
2025
13
Aug
Sharpham House: Nourishing the Heart – mindfulness & self-compassion retreat (5 nights)
With Ramiro Ortega & Lindsay Alderton
2025
02
Dec
Sharpham House: Nourishing the Heart – mindfulness & self-compassion retreat (5 nights)
With Armel Wraight & Ethan Pollock
2026
20
Jan
Sharpham House: Nourishing the Heart – mindfulness & self-compassion retreat (5 nights)
With Ramiro Ortega & Armel Wraight
At the heart of the Sharpham Trust ethos is our desire to build a more mindful, compassionate and environmentally sustainable world.
We connect people with nature and foster mindfulness and well-being through our programme of retreats, mindfulness courses, outdoor learning and the arts.
© 2025 Sharpham Trust | The Sharpham Trust Sharpham House, Ashprington, Totnes, Devon, UK TQ9 7UTUseful Links
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