A health retreat in the heart of a stunning Welsh valley has been named one of the best in the UK.
Wales is known for its beautiful landscapes and abundance of nature, so there really is no surprise why Forest Retreats near Tintern has been recognised as one of the best places to relax and unwind. The yoga retreat has been named among the 12 best in a list by The Guardian.
The retreat is run by yoga teacher Hayley Court alongside her forest bathing practitioner husband Tom and is based at a family run Hill Farm in the Wye Valley. It does quite literally what its name says - and offers people the chance for a "forest retreat", with a range of activities from yoga, forest bathing, and wellbeing activities.
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Guests can stay at the retreat in a bell tent on site, or bring their own camping gear. There are also yurts and rooms in the farmhouse available for those who would rather a more indoor environment.
Co-owner, Tom, said: “To be named as one of the best active retreats in the UK is a huge deal for us. as we strive to be the best, yet we remain true to our homegrown, down-to-earth roots. We are a family-run business on a mission to improve the health and well-being of all our guests. We run day and weekend retreats throughout the year and love being part of the local community; using locally sourced food and products wherever we can.”
Outdoor spa facilities are also available at the site, with a hot tub, sauna and plunge pool in the wood-fired eco-spa available for visitors to enjoy. According to The Guardian, the eco-spa plans to introduce a woman-only retreat in May, with a poetry-writing session being added to the programme.
The Guardian's recommendation of the retreat said: "There are regular yoga and forest-bathing retreats at family-run Hill Farm, a 15-acre site in Tintern. In May, poetry-writing will be added to the programme on a women-only retreat co-led by the former Hampshire poet laureate Kathryn Bevis.
"As well as yoga, writing and forest bathing, there will be free time to enjoy the hot tub, sauna and plunge pool in the wood-fired eco-spa, and to share favourite poems around the fire in the evenings. Guests can bring their own tents or camper vans, or book a bell tent, yurt or room in the farmhouse. Vegetarian meals are included; massages and other treatments are extra."
