Witherdens Hall
Kent, England
Bespoke, boutique, long-stay retreats with life coaching and relaxation in rural Kent
This tranquil wellbeing idyll near Canterbury is run by long-time mindfulness practitioner Louise Cox. Experience an immersive, extended retreat and enjoy the time to write, read, paint, go for local walks and cultural trips or simply relax. There’s a mini spa, and wellbeing experiences on offer include yoga, meditation, life coaching, juice cleansing, nature journaling with a local artist, massage, holistic therapies and aromatherapy facials.
our Reviewer Cherry Casey says:
‘I came for a relaxing treat to mark the end of my maternity leave. I left with an overwhelming sense of calm and a sense of self-assuredness I can’t remember ever having experienced’
Queen of Retreats says:
‘This is a highly affordable place where you can create your own bespoke retreat with a wonderful array of therapists. It’s a not-for-profit, so the retreat takes no commission from all the local therapists and you book everything directly with them at refreshingly reasonable prices. The accommodation is self-catering, so you can be entirely private’
Experiences
During your stay, you can incorporate mini retreats that pivot on yoga, healing reiki and meditation, or connecting with nature, when you can spend time outside with a mindful walk and combine it with nature journaling for a meditative, creative experience.
Relax undisturbed in the Chillspace, which has a far infrared sauna and massage chair, and pamper yourself with an aromatherapy facial or massages such as hot stones, Indian head, Thai herbal compress, soft tissue and Hydrotherm.
Life-changing coaching is tailored to your personal or work situation and includes Breakthroughs for Health, during which you clear out the blocks, fears and anxieties holding you back. Holistic therapies on offer include reflexology, shamanic healing, acupuncture, reiki and Tension Releasing Exercises (TRE).
If you would like to detox, improve your health, increase energy levels or get help with illnesses and symptoms, book a consultation with natural juice therapist Sarah Dickens before you arrive, and enjoy three, five or seven-day juice cleanses, with juices delivered straight to your door.
There are plenty of gorgeous local walks, and the option of gentle guided canoe trips and paddleboarding down the River Stour. It’s a short drive to miles of sandy beaches and nature reserves, while Canterbury has a wealth of museums, festivals, theatres and cultural events on offer throughout the year.
Spaces
The cottages and the converted barn are all arranged around a tranquil flower-filled courtyard, at the centre of which sits a giant Buddha’s head. The area is beautifully landscaped and provides privacy for guests who want to sit outside on benches or sun loungers.
The Chillspace is in an airy converted barn a few steps away from the accommodation with a treatment room, infrared sauna, massage chair and a large open space for yoga sessions.
The charming Retreat Cottage sleeps four. It has a light sitting room with a small library of books, magazines and DVDs. The décor is crisp and fresh with furnishings in soft, calming tones.
The two doubles (super king and super king/twin) include a magnet therapy bed, crisp cotton sheets, a bathroom with jacuzzi bath, fluffy robes and Aromatherapy Associates toiletries.
Accommodation for two is also available in The Suite, a wooden-floored open-plan converted barn. It’s a calming space finished to a high standard with a super king/twin, plus lounge area and kitchenette and large glass doors which open out onto the central courtyard.
Sustenance
All the accommodation is well equipped for self-catering, with dining areas inside and patio areas, tables and chairs for summer eating.
Witherdens is set in the heart of the ‘Garden of England’, and shopping for and cooking the local, seasonal produce available can be part of the wellbeing experience here.
There are several fantastic farm shops within walking and driving distance, and many farms in the area offer ‘pick your own’ in the summer months, so your food can go from plant to plate in a matter of minutes.
If you don’t want to cook, the local farm shop offers a huge range of Cook frozen meals.
You can also eat out at various spots, from pubs to farm shop cafés in Wingham, to fine dining in Canterbury and Folkestone.
