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Being with Nature for Women: a 3-night Woodland Retreat
Meditation, community and a deep connection to nature
Summary
Overview
This Woodland Retreat offers a spacious & sensuous immersion in mindfulness & nature within the supportive company of women on the beautiful Sharpham Estate in South Devon.
Sharpham Woodland Retreat participants speak of feelings of gratitude, wonder, calm, self-insight and positive emotions afterwards.
Participants explore the gardens and the wider estate guided by our experienced leaders.
This retreat is for women (as self-identified) aged 18 and above.
My personal experience of this truly magical retreat was hugely healing, tremendously transformative and full of creative change. If you are feeling a bit hesitant about booking this retreat I can tell you that you are not alone. Yes it was challenging for me at times but so so worth it. I showed up, I participated fully and the rewards for me were gifts of friendship, fun, strength, inspiration, bravery, joy and much much healing. Wow! Oh and the food… delicious
This retreat is for you if:
- New to mindfulness or are looking to sustain and reconnect with your practice in a new way
- Feeling overwhelmed, stressed or anxious by the demands and pace of modern life
- Love the outdoors and nature or would like to experience nature in a different way
- Looking for tools and resources to sustain you in your everyday life
- Feeling a longing to spend time in nature and the chance to reconnect with your true and authentic self
- Are aged 18 and above
What you'll experience on this retreat:
- guided meditations, relaxation sessions and periods of silence and quiet contemplation, amid breath-taking scenery on the banks of the River Dart
- nurturing within a safe and supported space with time around the fire
- a single-occupancy furnished bell-tent, 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
- accessible and engaging nature-connection and nature-sensing activities - cultivating moment-to-moment awareness in the outdoors
- a chance to explore our tranquil Capability Brownian parkland and our Grade II*-listed gardens designed by Percy Cane
- delicious, healthy, home-cooked vegetarian food that regularly receives rave reviews
In this video, a participant shares her story about how coming on Woodland Retreat with other women helped her navigate anxiety and panic attacks.
Sharpham is like nature therapy. You can come here and it can give you a sense of tranquillity again in your life and it gives you the strength, particularly being surrounded by other women and hearing similar stories, to work out how you're going to go forward in your life in a different way so you don’t repeat the old patterns...I would say to any and every woman out there: come to Sharpham, whether you think it’s a good idea or not!
What you'll 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 - 10am the following day
Typical Schedule
Day 1:
| Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|
| 3.00pm - 5.00pm – Arrival and unload | 6.30pm - Delicious vegan and vegetarian supper, washing up |
| 5.00pm - Welcome meeting, settling in | 8pm - Evening gathering |
| 9.00pm - Camp moves into silence till the following morning, supporting individual mindfulness and gentle reflection |
Typical Day:
| Morning | Afternoon/Evening |
|---|---|
| 7.00am – wake up | 1.00pm - delicious vegetarian/vegan lunch & tasks followed by personal time, exploring the beautiful grounds or resting in your own peaceful, furnished bell-tent |
| 7.30am – mindful movement & meditation | 4.00pm – afternoon practice session of mindful awareness & stillness practices |
| 8.30am – delicious vegetarian/vegan breakfast & tasks | 6.30pm - delicious vegetarian/vegan supper & tasks |
| 10am - sharing circle | 8pm - evening gathering |
| 11am – morning practice session of mindful awareness & stillness practices | 9.00pm – retreat moves into nourishing silence |
Final day: There is a closing circle at 10am and depart at 12 noon.
See all Reviews
Woodland Retreats
Immerse yourselves in the great outdoors through one of our Woodland retreats. You'll stay in single-occupancy, furnished bell-tents, spend time mindfully in nature and dine on delicious vegetarian and vegan food.
You'll benefit from daily meditation and supportive mindfulness leaders, with ample time to explore the incredible Sharpham Estate. We offer 3-night, 5-night, canoeing and women's woodland retreats.
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By Car
By Train
By Taxi
On foot or cycle from Totnes
By CoachLeaders
Emma Thom
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Lindsay Alderton
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Costs
The Sharpham Trust is committed to making retreats at The Woodland Campsite accessible to everyone, no matter their income.
All tents are single occupancy, with a shared shower and toilet block. Meals and a mattress and pillow are included.
You can choose the rate that feels right for you:
Subsidised Rate - £395
A heavily subsidised rate for those on low incomes who would otherwise be unable to attend.
This is made possible by the generosity of others who are able to pay the higher Supporter Rate, helping us keep retreats open and accessible to everyone.
Standard Rate - £445
The Standard Rate for those not on a low income, covers the costs of your retreat and contributes a small amount to the upkeep of The Woodland Campsite. Your payment helps maintain the retreat spaces, keep tents and communal areas in good order, and ensures the experience is welcoming and enjoyable for all who visit.
Supporter Rate - £495
For those able to pay a little more, the Supporter Rate is a chance to make a wider, lasting impact.
Your support goes beyond your own retreat - it preserves the estate and its wildlife, sustains the charitable work of the Trust and helps ensure future participants can benefit from the peace and renewal Sharpham offers.
By choosing the Supporter Rate, you’re helping The Sharpham Trust thrive - now and in the years to come.
Bursary Donations
If you’d like to support even more people beyond your own retreat, you can donate to our Bursary Fund. Every gift helps make retreats accessible to those who might otherwise miss out.
You can book easily and securely online below, by phoning 01803 732542 or by [email protected]
Tents & facilities
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
2026
12
Jun
Woodland Retreat: Nature Connection for Women (3 nights)
With Emma Thom & Lindsay Alderton
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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