Rest and renewal meditation retreat at Sharpham
House in Winter
The Octagonal Room at Sharpham House
Sharpham House Rooms
Winter Retreats at Sharpham House

Winter Retreat: a 5-night Sharpham House Retreat

Summary

6 Reviews
5 nights - Seasonal
Any
Single
Short Periods
Max. Spaces: 20

Overview

Winter is the season of hibernation and this retreat will explore the transformative power of resting deeply.

Our daily lives often demand that we are constantly active and productive, however at this time of year Nature reminds us that we need to slow down, withdraw our energy and recuperate. 

It can be difficult to allow ourselves rest in this way, but when we do, we stand a much better chance of being more resilient with greater capacity to face challenges and care for ourselves and others.

"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.

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
  • are in need of rest, rejuvenation and renewal
  • are aged 18 and above
What is Mindfulness?

What you'll experience on this retreat:

  • The chance to slow down and reset your nervous system 
  • Restorative mindfulness and compassion practices
  • Gentle movement practices and tuning into what our bodies need
  • A simple and spacious programme
  • Periods of silence including a whole day of silence to allow time for contemplation and resting deeply
  • The chance to engage in seasonal nature connection and nature-sensing activities (as the weather allows) with walks in the beautiful Devon landscape
  • living 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
Winter Retreats at Sharpham House

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
View our FAQs

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 retreat schedule

Day 1: Arrive between 3-5pm for welcoming talk and settling in

Mornings Afternoons
7.00am - wake up bell. Silence until 10.00am 1.00pm - lunch and household tasks
7.30am – mindful movement 2.30pm – optional group walk and personal time
8.00am - meditation 5.30pm  – meditation
8.30am - breakfast and household tasks 6.00pm – supper and household tasks
10.00am - home groups, break the silence  8.00pm - evening gathering
11.30am - morning session 9.00pm – House moves into silence until 10.00am the next day

Final day: There is a closing meeting at 10.30am, and your departure by 12noon.

Reviews

Had a fantastic 3-night stay for Rest & Renewal. Fabulous venue, with wonderful views and wild field meadows. Food, staff and teaching were immeasurable. One of the best things I've ever done!

a participant on our Rest & Renewal retreat

My first retreat. Didn’t disappoint. I read a lot about the beautiful scenery and food which don’t get me wrong helped massively but the teaching was what matter most to me. Jo and Steve truly embody mindfulness and their teaching was gentle yet insightful. I did the 3 day silent retreat and I would have happily stayed far longer. Appetite and excitement for this project very much refuelled. Paul

Angy Panda 6863
July 2023

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!

Louise Neicho
September 2022
See all Reviews

Sharpham House in Spring

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, surrounded by a parkland designed originally by Capability Brown, offering calming views over the River Dart, in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Get Directions View Venue

Leaders

Lynette Robinson
Lynette Robinson Read more +
Steve Banks
Steve Banks Read more +

Costs

  • £595 - Standard room, single occupancy, full-board 
  • £655 Premium room, single occupancy, full-board 
  • £755 - 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

2024 01 Dec

Sharpham House: Rest Deeply: a 5 night Winter Retreat

With Steve Banks & Lynette Robinson