Broughton Sanctuary
Yorkshire, England
Life-affirming retreats on a glorious estate in idyllic Yorkshire Dales countryside
Set in 3,000 acres of Yorkshire countryside, Broughton Sanctuary offers set-date transformational, psycho-therapeutic, meditation, silent, spiritual, fitness and nutrition retreats - some with world-renowned teachers. Stay in Broughton Hall, a historic house dating back to 1597, or in one of the characterful retreat homes. Recharge in blissful nature, stroll along walking trails, enjoy nutritious food and experience labyrinths, sound baths, floatation tanks, yoga, forest bathing, wild swimming, woodland saunas and hot tubs. You can join a group retreat or go and stay privately.
our Reviewer christine fieldhouse says of her keeping it real retreat:
‘Ruby Wax grabs mindfulness by the scruff of its neck, making sense of it with her research, and modernising it by throwing in stories of when she interviewed Madonna and Carrie Fisher. Our interest doesn’t wane for one second. Self-deprecating, honest and open, she reveals herself, foibles and all, and we all love her for it’
our Reviewer NIRPAL DHALIWAL says of his profound rest retreat:
‘I had arrived at Broughton wearing a hard armour of grief and misery, but left feeling much softer and more hopeful. It didn’t take away my pain, but I was more accepting of it; knowing it to be a vital unavoidable part of life; to be engaged with, not wished away’
Queen of Retreats says:
‘The estate has been in the Tempest family for 33 generations - present custodian Roger Tempest and his partner Paris Ackrill aim to create a world-leading retreat centre, and they’re well on their way. Both are passionate about self-development, and they also love their land - a massive rewilding project is underway. Pack walking boots and waterproofs. Half the rooms share bathrooms’
Experiences
Look out for big names from the world of therapeutic work and self-development, including comedian and presenter Ruby Wax, Path of Love, Hoffman Process, Homa and Mukto, Layla Martin, The Diamond Approach. Alex Howard, Tommy Rosen, Lynne McTaggart and Paul Selig. Broughton’s own house retreats are also offered.
Choose from silent retreats, or tantra, yoga and earth connection breaks. There is also a scientific retreat about consciousness, along with one for people in recovery, a pilgrimage retreat, life-changing meditation and personal development programmes, a nature recovery retreat and relationship and mindfulness breaks.
Immerse yourself in nature - walk the moors and Dales, amble round the labyrinths (one is a 555-stone spiral Ankh labyrinth), wild swim in freshwater reservoirs and enjoy a woodland sauna, take a plunge in ice barrels, relax in a hot tub, dine in the woods, go forest bathing, take a moon bath or try your hand at drumming in the woodland fire temple or stroll along Odyssey, a long-distance interactive walking trail.
The low-chemical pool is ideal for length swimming, or you can unwind in the hydrotherapy pool, then enjoy the organic-shaped sauna, steam room and floatation tank. There’s also a personal training studio with weights and cardio machines. Relax on a crystal light bed or in the Somadome.
Treatments on offer include deep tissue, ayurvedic, aromatherapy, Indian head, Thai and Swedish massage, reflexology, natural lift facials, crystal and energy healing, acupuncture, trauma release, psychotherapy, herbal medicine, Somadome individual meditation pod, crystal light bed and floatation tank.
Spaces
Retreats are based around the historic house -Broughton Hall, charmingly renovated retreat homes, and the state-of-the-art Avalon Wellbeing Centre. Expect to stumble across a Fire Temple, yurts, hot tubs, woodland saunas, a hermit hut, a Bronze Age stone circle, moor-top moon baths, a sweat lodge, labyrinths and plenty of trails that take you up hills and down dale.
Avalon Wellbeing is a purpose-built wellbeing centre. Group sessions, like yoga and workshops, are held in the glass-fronted Sanctuary Studio, while upstairs The Nest is a more intimate group space. Alongside these rooms are the 20m indoor pool, hydrotherapy pool, and sauna, steam room and floatation tank.
Just down from Avalon is Utopia, designed by the late Sir Michael Hopkins, and the main dining space, which, when not in use, acts as a workshop space. There are also two additional side rooms for more private meetings, both overlooking the walled garden, designed by Dan Pearson OBE.
Throughout the Sanctuary there are 150 beds - in the Hall, in retreat houses and at wild camping spaces, all of which suit different budgets. Hall bedrooms are ornate and stately, many with four poster beds, works of art on the walls and elaborate baths, while the retreat homes, many of which have up to five bedrooms, have a more contemporary feel.
In the Hall, you can relax in the Red or Green Drawing Rooms, which have open fires, or the Library, which has a collection of centuries-old books. The Conservatory or Private Chapel are lovely spots for quiet moments. The retreat homes all have their own sitting rooms and kitchens, and some have spacious conservatories and gardens.
Sustenance
Meals can take place at Utopia, a glass-fronted bistro set within the walled garden. There is outdoor seating with stunning views over the garden.
Mainly locally sourced, organic, plant-based food is served, with vegetarian and vegan options, or you can ask the team to serve you your menu of choice.
More formal meals take place in the Red and Green Drawing Rooms, which seat up to 90 people.
Picnics and wild dining are available with bespoke menus.
Be sure to experience Woodland Dining in the Garden of Cosmic Origin, a private, candlelit glade with a roaring fire and a treetop canopy.
