The 13 best wellbeing breaks and yoga retreats in the UK

Best for: nourishing meals

Taking place in a beautifully renovated church in the gentle coastal town of Tywyn, in the shadow of southern Snowdonia, Sunset Bay Retreats offer nourishing vegan yoga getaways multiple times a year. Experiences are sculpted around the season – choose from the likes of Summer Solstice, Autumn Equinox and Veganuary – and take place over long weekends as well as during the week. You’ll leave with a clarity of mind and feeling properly restored. 

Getting there By car: around five hours from London. By train: Two hour train to Birmingham, then a two hour train to Machynlleth then half an hour by bus.

Best for: relaxation

Make the most of your weekend with a break at The Tree. Here, you’ll relax and reconnect all against the backdrop of the rugged North York Moors National Park. A weekend itinerary features tasty veggie meals (including Sunday lunch), afternoon tea, sauna and Jacuzzi time, your choice of spa therapy treatment, plus workshops on relaxation techniques such as qi gong. Choose the yoga weekend option for a similar itinerary but with more downward dogs. You’ll leave blissfully refreshed.

Getting there By car: around five hours from London. By train: One hour 52 mins from King's Cross to York, then one hour 15 minutes to The Royal Oak, then 40 minutes by bus.  

Best for: a personalised retreat

Shunning more modern wellbeing movements, Clover Mill follows the ancient system of Ayurveda. The ancient Indian medicine dictates that all followers are made up of a unique balance of three different doshas. After an assessment to see which doshas need some TLC, visitors are assigned a personalised set of healthy veggie meals, essential oils, and massage treatments. But even if Ayurveda doesn't do it for you, the daily yoga practice, cute private eco-lodges, and luxurious massage treatments surely will. Get ahead with this one, as it reopens in March 2023 following some major refurbishment. 

Getting there By car: 3 hour drive from London. By train: two hours 30 minutes from London to Malvern Link, then a taxi.  

Best for: meditation

Sick of working from home, listening to the tinny beat of next door’s soundsystem, and wishing for a world of complete silence? That’s where Gaia House can come in. Set in peaceful woodland, this silent retreat runs year-round group programmes of Insight Meditation and mindfulness teachings based on Buddhist traditions. You’ll spend soundless days meditating in the hall and grounds, eating vegetarian food and pitching in for an hour to help the house run smoothly. The silence is meant to create a sanctuary for contemplation and deep inner exploration. If you find that keeping schtum really suits you, Gaia House also runs personal retreats where you can stay mute for months at a time.

Getting there By car: three hours 45 minutes from London. By train: three hours from London Paddington or four hours from London Waterloo to Newton Abbot then a short taxi ride or car share.

Best for: getting back to nature

Fancy taking off into the woods for a while? Sharpham Trust offers ‘nature connection retreats’ where you get to live in the actual great outdoors. You don’t need to be a pro camper (the single bell tents are cosy and furnished) or even experienced in mindfulness, as you’ll learn all the techniques you need on the retreat. Staying in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, you’ll get stuck into a guided meditation, nature-sensing activities and locally sourced or foraged plant-based food. If you’re particularly interested in all that plant power, Sharpham also runs a separate three-day foraging retreat.

Getting there By car: around four hours from London. By train: Two hours 43 minutes from Paddington to Totnes then taxi or 15 minutes by bus.

Best for: real rejuvenation 

If you’re looking for an escape that’s just as active as it is relaxing, then check out this hiking and yoga retreat in the heart of the Derbyshire Dales in Hope Valley. Housed in a gorgeous venue with views across the valley – complete with a firepit for stargazing – the retreat includes two hikes with mountain guides, plant-based meals and yoga classes. You’ll go home with a clearer head and a renewed appreciation for the beauty of the UK.

Getting there By train: two hours 20 minutes from London to Sheffield, 30 to 40 minutes car or bus to Hope Valley. 

Best for: serious reflection

In the world of glamping and luxe getaways, Dhanakosa is a refreshing no-frills alternative. The centre follows traditional Buddhist practices, so it's all about stripped-back natural beauty, with not a string of bunting in sight. Surrounded by the stunning landscape of the Scottish highlands, retreats include deep meditation sessions, yoga, discussions on Buddhism and long periods of silence for reflection. One for the serious retreaters. 

Getting there Four hours 30 minutes by train from London Euston to Glasgow, then 35 minutes by train to Stirling. Dhanakosa runs a shuttle service from there, email for details.  

Best for: a luxe retreat 

Hosted in a luxury farmhouse surrounded by 42 acres of lush woodland, Our Retreat offers a pampering escape for rushed city folk. Their three-night yoga and meditation retreat includes protein shakes, wholesome meals and plenty of time to relax in front of the fire or sunbathe on the lawn. Oh and pilates and yoga a-plenty, if you can drag yourself away from the plush bedrooms. 

Getting there By car: two hours 40 minutes from London. 

Best for: eco-warriors

Go off the grid, quite literally, at EcoYoga. Surrounded by hills, lochs and forests, this centre is the perfect retreat for nature and yoga lovers. If you’re now imagining back-to-basics camping in the wild, imagine again – this is a luxurious kind of eco-friendly experience. The glazed yoga studio (with underfloor heating, thank you very much) overlooks the gorge of the River Liever. Each veggie meal comes fresh from the organic garden. When you’re done brushing up on your tree pose, take advantage of the eclectic bathing areas – inspired by the Japanese tradition of sento (communal bathhouses), there’s a hot tub under a glass geodesic dome and bathing spots dotted around the forest. You’ll want to namaste here forever.

Getting there By train: four hours 30 minutes from London Euston to Glasgow. Then two hours 30 minutes by coach to Lochgilphead, where you can be picked up. EcoYoga sometimes runs minibus shuttles from Glasgow city centre; enquire when booking.

Best for: sound healing 

Offering one-off retreats in beautiful locations, Sound Awakening is led by Louise, a professional sound-healing practitioner and somatics coach. From a summer retreat set in a Cotswolds stone house with a private wild swimming lake to an autumn escape to the New Forest, the trips all focus on the restorative practices of yoga nidra and sound healing to help kickstart your body’s self-healing systems and immerse yourself in rest.

Best for: wild women 

When she's not hosting healing circles in Manchester, Rebecca Wilson runs regular women-only retreats around the UK and beyond. During her deeply healing sessions, Rebecca will delve into meditation, yoga nidra, tea ceremonies and mentorship as she untangles past issues and sets up students with healthy habits for the future. Be warned: crystals, shamanic healing and free dance abound here. Go with it.   

Best for: embracing nature 

Offering classes and retreats in Norfolk – including the stunning 21-acre wildlife oasis of West Lexham – Wild Yoga is a chance to seriously recharge and reboot in some beautiful surroundings. Offering yoga classes, wild swims and sound baths, these trips offer a place of quiet contemplation where you can realign with your body and mind. 

Getting there By train: around two hours 20 minutes from London to Norwich, then one to two hours by car or bus.