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Anyone tried a 'retreat' type weekend?

12 replies

Fizzink38 · 18/02/2026 09:25

BFF and I try to get away every 3 months or so for a couple of days. We've both got a lot going on at home with family illness etc, so it's tough to organise but very needed. We usually just get a cheapish Air Bnb and sleep, read, eat - maybe a bit of shopping (browsing mostly!).
She's been talking about doing one of these spiritual/wellness weekends next time and I'm not sure - they look really expensive and I'm not sure what it would involve. My health isn't good enough for anything involving exercise (even yoga is too much) so I don't want to waste money.
On the other hand, I don't want to be narrow-minded and turn it down if she really wants to try it! Anyone been to one and can share the experience?

OP posts:
Fizzink38 · 18/02/2026 11:44

I'd rather do a spa weekend if I'm honest (if we're going to be spending that kind of money) but she really wants to do something spiritual.

OP posts:
Mydahliasareshit · 18/02/2026 11:49

Can't you just say spirituality is a personal quest, so you'll catch up with her down the line for a relaxing spa weekend?

Fizzink38 · 18/02/2026 11:58

I'm not against it - just want to know what it would be like before. Also I want to support her.

OP posts:
NoCommentingFromNowOn · 18/02/2026 12:23

I’d love to do one of these, but it seems some of them offer the accommodation and food but you’re left alone to participate or not. So if she wants a more structured thing, or lots of ‘events’ to participate in, she’d better look carefully at what exactly they are offering.

Does she want to get up early and join in with the services? Does she want to do it in a group, eg 20 people coming together to participate in the monthly ‘retreat weekend’? Or simply stay there and do her own thing? I know some (all?) of them discourage being used as a B and B.

I would really like to hear from anyone who has been on one too.

Mysticguru · 18/02/2026 16:03

Depends on what kind of retreat or theme of retreat.
Does she want to go to a monastery and be part of the community for a few days/week, or maybe a retreat with a bit more luxury which includes meditations, massages, seminars, talks, sangha's, silent retreats?

Fizzink38 · 18/02/2026 17:53

I think she's imagining a small group type thing, discussion, structured but opt out as necessary. It's actually most unlike her, maybe I need to find out exactly what she's imagining? She's always been more religious than me but I'm not sure that's what she means by spiritual. Maybe more well-being or supportive? Definitely not a monastery.

OP posts:
Mysticguru · 18/02/2026 18:02

If she isn't a seeker of Truth then she may find a spiritual retreat a bit confusing. If she leans towards Buddhism/Taoism/Hinduism it would be a start.
Or maybe she's thinking of massages/meditation classes and attending a meeting or two and then spending the rest of the time out on retail therapy or eating.

Nopayrise · 18/02/2026 18:12

Look at sharpham house. Haven’t done one myself but have thought about it a few times. Some of them seem not too full on

Frenchfemme · 18/02/2026 18:29

Nopayrise · 18/02/2026 18:12

Look at sharpham house. Haven’t done one myself but have thought about it a few times. Some of them seem not too full on

I have done an on-line weekend retreat with Sharpham Trust, and participate in the weekly on-line meditation sessions. I am disabled, and live in France, so am not able to attend Sharpham in person, but I would love to. It looks very peaceful in a lovely setting surrounded by nature. It’s also not too expensive and has exclusively single accommodation.

AspiringToBlueBeanbagHood · 18/02/2026 18:33

Try the Fintry Trust. They seem to have a lot of variety and it looks beautiful.

ACommonTreasuryForAll · 18/02/2026 19:04

A great idea. I've a background adjacent to retreat and wellness breaks and, if you pick well, you could end up with a very lovely experience. What you don't want is someone trying to just up-sell their Airbnb or barn conversion by adding a silent walk, a smudge stick, friendship bracelets and some 'readings'.

Look around at what is available within your agreed travel range and dates, and pick out aspects you think might suit your age group, mobility needs, level of involvement / flexibility, and general vibe and focus (creative expression, meditation, movement such as dance, yoga or somatics, women's circle, skills share, nature / pagan curious, new age-leaning spiritually such as crystals or divination, or connection and sharing), and then shortlist.

Invariably, what you 'get' out of the experience will stand in direct relation to your openness to participate, learn and share, so, providing you choose well and let yourself lean in to the weekend, it could be really enriching.

Also, it seems your friend might be one step ahead of you in terms of enthusiasm -it's nice for her to feel like she can get into whatever you choose to attend fully without worrying that her companion (you) may think that she's being silly, or over the top (if activities engage on an emotional level), depending on what the content offers, so try to find a retreat where you can match her level of curiosity and enthusiasm.

Have a lovely time!

DontTellMeToTakeInIroning · 18/02/2026 19:16

I did three nights (midweek so technically not a weekend) at a retreat back in April and can honestly say it changed my life. But there's no way I would have wanted to do it with anyone I knew! This one was set up for up to four people, but there were only two of us there. There were a few areas where I was quite sceptical that it would do me any good but honestly I was completely shocked at how much it helped me. I chose a Ho'oponopono retreat which is a Hawaiian concept of self-forgiveness. Highly recommend! Not an advert but if anyone would like further info feel free to PM me

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