Non religious 'Retreat' ideas please?

[OldLace]

I was talking to a friend who is interested in starting an non religious 'retreat' type experience.

She is unsure what people would like.

She would have use of a stonebuilt house with large private garden on a small island (open to rest of the public). It is very beautiful. It would give a person a chance to 'step off' the world for a while. The house is basic but has all mod cons including good internet.

She was thinking of making it particularly women friendly but isn't sure of the legalities of making it women only?

But had wondered about offering a basic BnB type experience with communal local Vegetarian food (with extra local eggs / seafood/ sausages cooked separately for those who wished to eat such stuff)

Local history walks, guided meditation, journaling / writing group, awakened bellydance, Yoga / Reiki could all be offered by local folk.
Whether that would be part of a basic 'package' like a Spa or all booked separately I am not sure?

The person is a qualified Counseller who has experience in a range of methods and could offer a 1:1 session which could then be continued online should the client wish.

Does this all sound wishey washy or something that people might want / benefit from / be prepared to pay modest amounts for please?

I appreciate that many folk want to get 'back out there' after Covid-19 but it seems clear that many people have found a quieter life can bring its own joys too. So she wondered if people might like to 'dip into' that every so often and if there was a market for modest UK breaks like this?

@MissMarplesHandbag

Vege meals are cheap and nutritious and most can eat them.
I had thought of offering an optional side of locally produced farmers sausages (separately cooked) for example.

@QuimReaper

thank you, some great points there too.
I think I'd only make some sessions women only yes so men & couples could attend most of the year otherwise I'm cutting out many
a booze licence would need thought
Gift certificates a are good idea yes!

@OldLace Fair point. I’m not a fan of vege stuff. So was thinking selfishly! As other than the meals, the idea appealed.

Oh also OP, I meant to add: the suggestion upthread of doing things like specialist bread-making weeks would go like CRAZY. Even if you just did one or two sessions in your normal proposed programme I think they'd be wildly popular, but something like a whole week where every morning you learn a new bread making skill (sourdough, rolls, focaccia, pizza, etc.) and then everyone sat down to a big lunch of things they'd baked for themselves with wine and all the extras to make it a meal (like lovely soup for roll day, pasta for focaccia day, etc.) that would be such a popular experience. You could do "sunrise classes" where people make their own breakfast, like croissants and crumpets. So many people are so daunted by things like that and would love to do them but don't know where to start, and it's another thing people would do together or buy as gifts - I'd do it in a heartbeat with a friend, or buy it for my mum, and I can see it being really popular as a gift for a significant anniversary. I actually got my mum and her partner gift certificates for Christmas for a bread making course which is only one day and I think it was £120 per person, and they're wildly popular. (Martha Delacey if you're interested, you should look her up!)

Obviously there'd be huge mileage for adaptation in it too - bread was the first thing that popped into my head but you could do jams, desserts, basic knife skill classes, all sorts. That'd be dependent on a big kitchen with lots of workspaces, of course, but it'd be great if you could swing it.

I'm so envious of you, I want to be your business partner

OP, I think the vegetarian thing may be needlessly confusing things. Ultimately you're saying you'd be offering vegetarian options and meat options depending on preference, which is the same as anywhere else. Although "excellent vegetarian options and locally sourced meat" is still a great pull.

I would love to go on a reasonably-priced basic retreat with a focus on well-being and health. Yoga, fresh nutritious food (prefer plant-based myself but I’d try to cater for everyone), walks, cycling, mindfulness techniques and one to one counselling. I would go by myself and wouldn’t be keen on too many people around, shared facilities or enforced mingling, except for mealtimes and group sessions. Solitude would appeal to me. I’ve looked at booking one in the past but they are way out of my budget. I think you can do this!

This sounds lovely. I’d be interested in a mix of activities like meditation, baking, gardening, gentle walks (no mountains or 20 mile treks!) a bit of craft. Perhaps with a slant towards wellbeing and mindfulness?

Again, thanks to everyone for comments - it is SO helpful!

I don't think there is enough kitchen space for cookery school?
(I dont have the £££ to make major alterations to the building)

But cooking demos certainly?

There is one large reception with plenty of bookshelves and one smaller one so I thought one could be a 'quiet space' and one more for mingling. I'd have small tv's avail in bedrooms. Wifi is patchy so it would be a bit of a wifi detox whether guests liked it or not

there is space to put 2/3 canvas bell tents in the garden. Not for glamping with heaters and sofas but more modestly for yoga and napping tents. In my dreams, I'd squeeze in a wood fired hot tub but that would need to wait until well after Covid concerns I think!

Any one have any thoughts on what a 'reasonable' nightly cost might be for a SIMPLE single room (ensuite), with vege and local meats simple menu, and say, a guided relaxation session / local walk / mindfulness session / and an activity such as cooking / craft / journalling session? (so, 2 things per day inc, for an hour each).
I would offer transport from the local station too.

Have a look at breathingspace

I haven't been for ages due to family/work commitments but sounds like the sort of thing you are picturing? Also they are women only and this is absolutely integral to their philosophy, it really is a healing and restorative place for women.

It was fairly 'no frills' in the early days when I used to go tho I think has developed a bit since then, so I wouldn't necessarily worry too much about not being spa standard from the off as long as you price accordingly and are clear about the facilities available.

Good luck!

I've done a couple of yoga holidays - note holidays not retreats. There was only ever one person on them who wanted to not be social. The rest of us thought stepping off the world by having plenty of wine at night and a laugh worked just fine.

Maybe meditation works better?

Look here, where they do similar: www.lowershawfarm.co.uk/

@OldLace sorry to post on a 3 year old thread but whatever came of this? Sounds like something I'm looking for right now!

@ZickZack
Sadly my proposal was rejected by the owners of the House. I felt a bit down as, after my initial research, inc on MN, I put a LOT more work into the proposal.
It transpired that 'someone else' didn't have a better proposal but the Owners kept the house, gutted it, painted it white, divided it into 3 & its now an AirBnB.
I was there yesterday. They've chopped all the beautiful old trees down too :(
It wasn't 'for me' after all but I can't help feeling sad it's just 'luxe AirBnB' now.

Oh.
I am sad
To hear
This

Thank you for replying but so sorry to hear this. Your idea was brilliant. The owners missed out on a unique opportunity if you ask me.