Step back from everyday life and enter a week of quiet intention, steady rhythm and meaningful practice on our Wellbeing in Nature Retreat.
Our Field Studies Council centres provide a peaceful natural setting for this retreat as they are located within stunning landscapes. The week-long wellbeing retreat creates space to slow down, reflect and reconnect with the rhythms of nature.
What to expect
Each day unfolds with gentle structure, rooted in practices that support both inner reflection and everyday wellbeing. Experienced guides will lead mindful activities which include mindful movement, meditation, nature connection and practical outdoor skills. You may begin the morning with stillness at dawn, spend the day learning woodland skills, foraging or walking, and close the evening around the fire with shared food and quiet conversation. This retreat includes carefully crafted activities that actively support your physical wellbeing and also promote emotional renewal.
Meals are plant‑based, shared and thoughtfully prepared, creating a sense of grounded community and care. Time away from screens and routines allows space to reconnect with what matters, meaningful conversation, reflection and community. Guided sessions sit alongside time for rest, journalling, creativity and quiet wandering to consequently build balance and clarity.
By the end of the week, you will leave feeling steadier, more centred and gently renewed. You’ll have practical tools, lived experience and a lasting connection to the natural world.
Explore our range of wellbeing and nature courses hosted by our engaging tutors and learn from their expertise and knowledge. Our nature experiences are a chance to meet like-minded people, a chance to unwind from everyday life, and a great opportunity to experience the UK’s glorious wildlife and the surrounding countryside of our field centres.
This course is open to participants aged 18 and over only. For under-18s, please contact the centre directly or see our young people courses and activities for families.
Example Timetable
Day 1
Arrival 12pm
Focus: Reduce anxiety, build safety, introduce environment.
Afternoon:
- You will meet in the designated quiet space for this group and there will be a Centre led sensory tour and orientation of the site.
- Get to know the centre grounds including a short introductory discussion to share the benefits of outdoor experience for our minds and bodies.
Evening:
- Learn the craft of nature journalling – begin to create your own.
Day 2
Focus: Nature immersion and regulation
Morning:
- Optional sunrise quiet walk
- Guided forest bathing for neurodiverse participants
- Short sensory “choice stations”: smell, touch, sound. Connecting to the Earth and mimicking the interconnectedness of woodland ecosystems.
Late morning:
- Refreshment + sensory reset time
- Mindful observation, sketching (choice of: drawing, photography, audio recording nature sounds)
Afternoon:
- Bushcraft for confidence-building
- Fire lighting
- Safe knife skills (optional)
- Simple whittling
- Herbal teas from foraged hedgerow herbs
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Evening:
- Optional stargazing and bat walk.
Day 3
Focus: Hill walking adventure (This is the “challenge day” but offered with three parallel pathways)
Morning/afternoon:
- Option A: Low-level explore (Self-Led)
Focus on sensory-rich, gentle experiences. - Option B: Intermediate nature hike (centre led)
A steady, scenic route exploring Blencathra’s rich landscape features. - Option C: Mountain challenge (centre staff with Mountain Leader training).
Guided by our staff; challenge yourself to master the Blencathra mountain.</p>
Late afternoon:
- Rest time
- Creative workshop: Natural dyes/landscape art/clay textures
Evening:
- Cosy reflective campfire.
Day 4
Focus: Personal practice tool kit
Morning:
- Outdoor yoga (qualified instructor) Neurodiversity adaptations: slow pace, no physical corrections, visual cues, opt‑in movements
- Time to reset with a refreshment and or shower.
Late morning:
- Guided mediation in the grass.
- Cloud busting, sensory meditation and relaxation techniques to bring into your future practice.
-
Afternoon:
- Nature journaling & mixed‑media creative session
Day 5
Focus: Learning and transition to future practice
Morning:
- Environmental understanding activity
Spend time learning and giving back, two of the pathways to positive wellbeing. - Tree identification walk and tree planting for eg or pollinator survey and bug hotel making.
-
Late morning:
- Closing circle with sensory‑safe options
- People can share verbally, through drawing, or not at all
Create a “take-away wellbeing map” (personal plan for home routines)
Depart 3pm
What's Included
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Expert Tuition -
Free Wi-Fi -
Full Board Accommodation -
Hot and Cold Drinks -
In Course Transport -
Picnic Lunch
If booking the non-resident option, please bring your own packed lunch with you as no food is included in this price.
Opportunities to attend this course
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Mon 24, August 2026 16:00 - Fri 28, August 2026 15:00
Step into five days of rest, renewal and reconnection. Each day offers meditation, creative expression and immersive nature experiences - including forest bathing, guided walks, outdoor yoga and bushcraft - set within the wild beauty of the Lake District National Park.
