Top
Top

Autumn Retreat - 5-nights

Katherine Wilkes

2 months ago, on Google
Had a fantastic experience at Sharpham Retreat, I came home feeling relaxed, peaceful and calm. The community feeling was so lovely, I met a wonderful group of people that enriched my journey. The meditation activities were really good for a beginner like myself and I have taken home skills and techniques to use in my daily life. Really great memories, I would definitely recommend 👍

Susan Papas

8 months ago, on Google
The 6-day mindfulness retreat I attended at The Coach House on the Sharpham Estate in Devon, England, was an oasis of peacefulness, meditation, rural beauty, and - far more than I had expected - connection with a group of strangers (including two wonderful coordinators) who quickly became mindful companions. An unforgettable experience in gorgeous surroundings. 🧘‍♀️🌳🌼

Billie

8 months ago, on Google
Have just returned from the mindfulness for beginners retreat at Sharpham House and what a magical, transformative experience it was! The house and the grounds are truly breath-taking, the natural beauty of the place is a big aspect of what you take away with you; a deeper connection with nature. The facilitators Steven and Lynette were both holding, humorous and skilled mindfulness leaders. Wonderful to learn from and be around. I felt taken care of on this retreat in many ways which I realised was something I deeply needed. The food is delicious and nourishing and the walled garden of veggies was one of my favourite places to spend time. The retreat strikes a good balance between discipline/structured practice with extended periods of silence and time to yourself. In my downtime I enjoyed chatting with others on the retreat, spending time alone reading, swimming in the pool or colouring, just sitting in the gardens. I left the retreat rested, calm and inspired. For anyone feeling a little frazzled by life and in need of slowing down for a reset, this is a good retreat for you. I will be back!

Louise Neicho (lou lou)

6 months ago, on Google
THE most magical and amazing place for a retreat. I cannot recommend Sharpham highly enough, I'm telling all my friends! The food is divine, the location is breathtaking and the facilitators are highly skilled. I'm creating space in my diary for the next one very soon!

Tessa Turner

6 months ago, on Google
A wonderfully run property, very very beautiful, with various venues for meditation, to suit all tastes (and pockets?). I've been on two different retreats and although I really loved my time there, I don't feel the need to rush back but I may feel differently in a couple of years' time. It's all about "the group" you share your time with while there and it felt very middle class and not at all representative of "real life" here in the UK. This probably would not worry most people and I would very much recommend Sharpham to anyone looking for a retreat giving them meditation, peace and beauty.

We don't have any dates for this retreat currently scheduled.
Please sign up to our newsletter using the link below to hear about when we do.  

Click here to subscribe to Sharpham emails
Hear FIRST about our retreats & events


Give yourself much-needed nurturing as the nights draw in, experiencing a longer, deeper retreat in Sharpham House.

Nurture yourself on meditation retreat at Sharpham

Our Autumn Nurturing retreat gives you the chance to be nourished by the best that Sharpham has to offer, including:

  •  meditation surrounded by nature
  • mindful movement
  • creative activities
  • walking in the beautiful Devon landscape

You’ll experience many of the rich threads that are woven through our programme, exploring mindful awareness through community, creativity, celebration and a deep connection to nature, yet with plenty of space for your own reflections and contemplations.

You’ll also have enough free time to explore your stunning surroundings during Autumn – and Sharpham Estate looks fantastic in this season. Read on for more details on this retreat and click the Leaders, Schedules and Venue & Directions tabs above for further information.

Experience Autumn nurturing on meditation retreat at Sharpham

Exploring Sharpham’s different pathways to mindfulness


This retreat is for you if you are:

  • curious to experience the different elements of the Sharpham Programme
  • want a longer stay in this beautiful place
  • in need of rest, rejuvenation and renewal, just before winter sets in
  • are aged 18 and above

Experiences in communityExperience Autumn nurturing on meditation retreat at Sharpham


You’ll have the chance to join in a range of workshops, from mindful movement to creative writing, nature sensing and an environmental art.

There are periods of silence on each of our retreats.


What you’ll experience on this retreat


During this retreat you’ll:

  • have the opportunity to develop mindfulness skills through guided meditations
  • practice morning mindful movement
  • access creativity through activites which may include creative writing and visual art
  • have guided and free time on this beautiful Estate, enjoying engaging and seasonal nature connection and nature sensing activities
  • be in a safe and supportive space, with the chance to spend some evenings round the fire and under the stars in good company
  • be living in community with like-minded people, bringing mindfulness to everyday experiences and tasks
  • enjoy delicious, healthy, home-cooked vegetarian food that regularly receives rave reviews 
  • 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 Autumn nurturing on meditation retreat at Sharpham

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

Image alt tag: Experience Autumn nurturing on meditation retreat at Sharpham

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
  • Your own 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.


See our Sharpham House Covid-19 measures here

Image alt tag: Experience Autumn nurturing on meditation retreat at Sharpham

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. 

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-serve basis.

 

The beauty of Sharpham House and its surroundings is readily apparent, but it’s the special alchemy that happens inside the house when that’s combined with mindfulness and human warmth and connectedness that makes a stay here so memorable and powerful to the soul.

Experience Autumn nurturing on meditation retreat at Sharpham

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.


Typical schedule

With sessions including nature connection, creative enquiry, mindfulness practice and exploration (including work on self-compassion, gratitide and appreciation)

Day 1

Afternoon/evening
3.00pm - 5.00pm - arrival
5.15pm – Welcome meeting, House tour, settling in
6.30pm - Supper
8.15pm - Guided meditation
9.00pm - House moves into silence until 8.30am, supporting individual mindfulness and reflection


Typical day

Mornings Afternoons
7.10am - wake-up bell (silence until 9.50am) 1.00pm – Lunch & tasks
8.00am - Early Bird Movement (meet at main entrance) 2.15pm – Personal time
8.30am - Breakfast & tasks 4pm & 5.15pm – Afternoon sessions, Groups A & B
9.50am - Guided meditation in the Octagonal Room 5.30pm - Guided meditation (Octagonal Room)
10.30am - Tea 6.00pm – Dinner, tasks and personal time
11.30am - Morning session, Groups A & B   8.00pm - Mindfulness exploration (Octagonal Room)
  8.40pm - Deep relaxation
  9.00pm - Personal time. House moves into silence.


Final day

Morning
7.10am - wake-up bell (silence until 9.50am)
8.00am - Early Bird Moving Mindfulness  
8.30am - Breakfast & tasks
9.50am - Guided meditation
10.30am - Final meeting
11.45am - Departure

 

Sharpham is a place of peacefulness and magic. I am leaving this retreat feeling rested and energised, with a deeper understanding of mindfulness and forward momentum for continuing my practice"

 

This retreat is a marvellous opportunity to explore and expand our lives through mindfulness, movement, voice and sharing. The venue is a sheer joy to stay in, the food wonderful and the people are always perfect. I hope to return"

 

A beautiful, nourishing space which helped me to reconnect with my creativity and love for life surrounded by people who share my values"

 

If this is not already on your bucket list, stick it close to the top. Something to be treasured. Unmissable"

 

This Sharpham retreat has given me the nourishment I needed to go and show the world who I am. It has been a phenomenal retreat full of creativity, wisdom-sharing, reflection, nature and pure happiness"

 

Panoramic views to feed your soul and a comfortable room in a fantastic house, to lay your weary head at the end of each day. A journey of body, mind and spirit that is well worth taking"

 

Life-changing, heart-opening, deep natural wisdom. I'll be back for more"

This retreat takes place in the beautiful and historic Grade 1-listed Sharpham House set in a Capability Brown-designed landscape with stunning views over the steeply-wooded River Dart.

Click here for our How to Find Us page on this website.

Click here to view, print or download directions and a map to Sharpham House

Click here view and download walking/cycling directions to Sharpham House

Aerial shot of Sharpham House

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.


Just to let you know, we have poor mobile phone coverage – which we see as a virtue. While there is wi-fi in Sharpham House, we encourage you to disconnect from ‘the network’ so you can fully retreat when you’re here.


We are 3 miles from Totnes – famous for its Transition Town movement

We are in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty


Sustainability

We take sustainability seriously.

All of the hot water and heating in the House is produced by a state-of-the-art biomass woodchip boiler and we have 2 large photo-voltaic solar panel arrays on barn rooftops.

Eco-gardens at Sharpham

Our gardens are managed organically and we only use bio-degradable cleaning products.

5 nights

£545 – Standard room, full-board

£595 -  Premium room, full-board

£695 – Heritage room, full-board

(see also bursaries below)


Bathrooms

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.

A shared bathroom at Sharpham

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.


Our accessible rooms

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


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.

 


 

Barry Thurgood

Barry Thurgood

For over 10 years, Barry has been guiding meditation groups and coordinating retreats at Lam Rim Buddhist Centre in Bristol, The Sharpham Barn Retreat and also online. He has also worked as the Sharpham Woodland Camp Retreat Manager and is a qualified Integrating Mindfulness & Compassion (CPCAB accredited) teacher.

Barry is inspired by sharing his passion for deepening a sense of connection with ourselves, each other, nature and something bigger than ourselves, all in a spirit of kindness.


Emma Thom

Emma Thom

Emma has worked in mental health for over 20 years. She has a Post Graduate Diploma in Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (University of Exeter). She works at the AccEPT clinic in Exeter teaching mindfulness courses to adults with depression and health and social care staff. She also teaches mindfulness to adoptive parents, teenagers, and families with learning difficulties. Emma’s life has benefitted in many ways from mindfulness. She first discovered mindfulness during an extensive period of ill-health and has no doubt that mindfulness gave her what she needed to recover.  Emma loves sharing what she has learned with others and is particularly interested in the ways that mindfulness supports wellbeing and flourishing along with increasing capacity to manage stress and ill-health.  Emma especially enjoys practicing mindfulness in movement, through yoga and walking.


Retreats & Events

How to book easily and securely:

  • online on this page
  • by phoning 01803 732542

Ring us or email us on [email protected] if you've got any questions.

Please click here to see our booking and cancellations policy.


Do check our Calendar to see and book for our events - or join our mailing list by clicking here to be kept in touch about Sharpham Trust news, retreats & events.