Middle Piccadilly
Dorset, England
Wellness retreat with supremely healing therapies and vegetarian food
This peaceful, vegetarian retreat in a 17th century thatched cottage with outhouses sits in rolling countryside at Holwell near Sherborne. Owners Dominic and Lisa Harvey offer a homely, heart-filled atmosphere with year-round detox and wellness programmes and tasty meals. Relax deeply and enjoy treatments with gifted therapists and country walks from the door.
our Reviewer Sally Kirby says:
‘Perhaps that’s why I love Middle Piccadilly so much – it feels like a spiritual home-from-home, and for someone who’s been searching for a place to call home since a young age, this is very important’
Queen of Retreats says:
‘Dominic’s mother, Eliana Harvey, founded the retreat in 1986, and it’s worth a visit just to feel her presence. The outstanding therapists here are a reason to try spiritual sessions such as shamanic healing. Gorgeous and airy, with the feel of a wooden tepee, the Star House makes a lovely place to meditate or just be, outside classes’
Experiences
There’s a deeply relaxing range of detox and wellness breaks on offer that combine juice fasting, raw food or vegetarian meals with different therapeutic treatments.
The treatment menu includes deep tissue, acupressure, hot stone and therapeutic massages.
Complementary therapies range from quantum healing to thermoauricular therapy (great for ear, nose and throat conditions). Try crystal awakening to activate your chakras.
Relax in an infra-red sauna and book a slot to deeply relax in the genius soak tub - a square Japanese-style omnitub that’s around 75cm deep and can be filled with therapeutic mud, seaweed and herbs.
Cooking retreats run occasionally throughout the year, led by Dominic who is a vegetarian chef and always happy to share cookery tips.
Spaces
Treatment rooms are snug and cosy with candles, soft music and low lights, and there’s a separate annex with the infrared sauna, soak tub and a shower.
Relax in the lounge, a cosy living room packed with enticing curiosities including paintings, old books and wall hangings.
Meals are shared in the farmhouse kitchen with its hobbit-style solid wood, stained glass and rows of earthenware pots and jars.
Workshops and yoga classes take place in Star House, a wooden hexagonal-shaped building on stilts in the grounds, and there are spaces to sit and contemplate in the garden.
There are four small bedrooms, one double en-suite, one single with its own bathroom and two king with access to a spotlessly clean, functional shared bathroom with complimentary Faith In Nature products. Rooms are cosy with taupe and teal decor, divan beds, wardrobes and a leather chair. Each has a cosy blanket and hot water bottle; two have a television and two wi-fi.
Sustenance
The delicious vegetarian menu is based on locally grown produce. With advance notice intolerances can be catered for, as can allergies if accompanied by a doctor’s note.
Breakfast is a help-yourself affair and includes soaked raw oats with nuts and seeds, healthy cereals in large glass jars, homemade bread and jams.
Lunch is usually soup, salad and a selection of cheeses, while dinner might be a port and mushroom ragout. Raw food options include Dom’s famous raw nut burgers or Pad Thai with nut butter puree.
Puddings include apple black, raspberry parfait or raw chocolate mousse.
Herbal and regular teas and coffees are plentiful. Alcohol is not served.
