Set within the peaceful surroundings of Sharpham House, we will explore how bringing awareness to harvesting, cooking and eating can deepen our sense of connection, with ourselves, with others and with the natural world.
Through simple mindfulness practices, gentle movement, time in the garden and kitchen, and shared meals, we will explore how everyday activities with food can become opportunities for presence and nourishment of mind, body and soul.
This retreat offers an opportunity to slow down, rest and (re)discover mindful cooking and eating practices, exploring how these can help us notice taste, texture, the body’s response to food and our relationship with cooking and food through mindfulness and shared experience.
You do not need previous experience of mindfulness or cooking. The emphasis is not on technical cooking skills, but on bringing attention and curiosity to the process and joy of preparing and savouring food.
You might also like our 4-night Mindful Gardening retreat at The Coach House
are in need of rest, nourishment and renewal
would like to learn new recipes and ideas to enhance your vegetarian and vegan cooking
enjoy seasonal food and spending time in gardens and in nature
appreciate learning in a supportive group setting
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:
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.
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 - 9.50am the following day
Day 1: Arrive between 3-5pm for welcoming talk and settling in
| Mornings | Afternoons |
|---|---|
| 7.00am - wake up | 12.30pm - meditation |
| 7.30am – morning movement | 1.00pm - lunch |
| 8.00am - morning meditation | 3.30pm-5pm – Home groups and afternoon cookery session/exploration of the theme |
| 8.30am – breakfast and tasks - including harvesting | 5.30pm - meditation |
| 10.30am - morning cookery session | 6.00pm – supper and tasks |
| 8.00pm - Evening cookery session | |
| 9.00pm – House moves into silence until 9.50am the next day |
Final day: There is a closing circle at 10.30am and depart at 12 noon. The retreat will move into silence each evening from 9pm – 9.50am, and till 2.30pm on day 3.
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.
Get Directions View VenueRetreats taking place up to March
Retreats taking place from April onwards
(see also room types below)
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
Please click here to see our booking and cancellations policy
Click here for more information on our types of bedrooms and facilities.
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



