Sweat & Serenity Retreat with Tent Options

Description

About this trip

Sweat and Serenity is a rejuvenating and reviving spring retreat held on the banks of the river Thames. Returning for its fifth year,  one of our most popular retreats opens its heart again for 2025.

Using a spectrum of carefully and thoughtfully curated ancient and modern cleansing techniques, this intimate gathering will enable you to shed outer layers of stress and strife, revealing your pure nature within.

Over the weekend you will have the unique opportunity to participate in a traditional sweat lodge ceremony, hosted in a specially designed sacred hazel pole dome and led by experienced leaders with chanting and shamanic drumming. A rare opportunity to experience this transformative practice in the rolling nature of the Thames Valley.

This retreat is for those who want to remove all barriers to lasting serenity. Release what is not serving you through the cleansing power of the fire and supportive ceremonial strength of the sweat lodge. Discover the obstacles facing your unique Ayurvedic constitution when you sit to meditate and how to best combat them for lasting inner peace. Move forward into summer with a fresh perspective and new grounding in your whole self.

There will be reviving yoga practices and wild swimming in the glistening river waters. Guided meditations with ancient trees and mindful journeying through the intuitive artistry of words will show you the way to reconnect with your divine nature. The resonance of spirit mantra will restore and replenish you, and storytelling and singing by the campfire will give you the heartwarming gift of community connection. .

We will be eating fresh, organic, locally grown plant based meals lovingly prepared according to Ayurvedic principles. As much as possible of our gorgeous fruit and veg will come from Tolhurst Organic farm, based on site, who use stock free farming to produce the lowest possible carbon footprint, cruelty free food. Their work is truly inspiring and aligned with our ethos of re-connecting and re-aligning with mother nature to live in more harmony.

The retreat begins on Friday evening 23rd May and ends on bank holiday Monday morning 26th May 2025.

The retreat is held in a secluded rural camping field next to the shores of the river. Tents available to rent if you can not bring your own.

Camper vans & caravans are welcome, dogs must stay at home!

This retreat is free from drugs, alcohol or intoxicants which cloud the mind.

Surround yourself with hundreds of year old trees, wild flower meadows, stunning scenery, magical sunset views, wonderful wildlife & your community.

 

Sweat Lodge Ceremony

The lodge during the retreat will be hosted by Buzzard Medicine.

It is an honour to be able to share this sacred ceremony with you in such beautiful organic surroundings. The lodge calls you to gather in circle to honour our ancestors, our grandmother the earth, the sacred fire, grandfather rocks, water and air – bringing them together to create a powerful cleansing medicine.

This traditional lodge is made from bent hazel poles, smudged and blessed and covered with blankets and insulated to make a dome. Special stones that have been heated in a wood fire are brought inside and herbs and water are applied to release an aromatic cleansing vapour. Participants engage in several cycles of sweating and chanting with the opportunity to rest and cool down in between each cycle.

The lodge has a strong purification and transformative power for many people; so do give yourself time after the lodge to integrate. The lodge is a powerful place for prayers and healing.

We advise drinking lots of water on the day before the lodge so that you are well hydrated. Water will be available during the day. We ask that you refrain from any recreational drugs or alcohol for at least 72 hours before and after the ceremony.

The sweat lodge is a powerful ceremony and can help in healing processes but it is good to check with your health professional if you are concerned about any medical conditions – in particular heart conditions, high blood pressure, migraines, pregnancy, panic attacks, claustrophobia, strong back pain, diabetes, asthma or breathing difficulties, mental health issues or drug addiction.

 

Ticket Info

We hope to be able to accommodate all who are interested & feel drawn to come together as a community.

We have tickets available for the Full  Retreat: Friday evening – Monday afternoon which are limited in numbers to facilitate deep experience cleanse, rest and reconnection as a community.

 

Your Tickets include:

4 Day immersion into sacred lands and your beautiful self!

✔️ All 4 days of the retreat.

✔️ Sweat Lodge Ceremony

✔️ All activities, classes and workshops.

✔️ Delicious Ayurvedic food: Friday dinner, 3 meals a day on Saturday to Sunday and breakfast and lunch on Monday. A selection of hot drinks will be available throughout the day.

✔️ Ground for your own tent.

For those who would like to combine the fun of the retreat and karma of the service we have few Seva Tickets. These tickets are designed for those who enjoy getting involved in the running of the retreat by giving the core crew a hand with whatever is needed to be done on the day, or those who can’t afford the full price of the tickets but still want to come.  If you’re keen to be involved, please click here to complete our online application.

The tickets can be booked in the Available Packages section below.

 

Travel

Hardwick estate is only 40 minutes by train from London (Paddington), and just 20 minutes by car from Junction 12 on the M4.  Easily accessible from the main transport hubs at Reading, yet set in the rolling countryside of the Chilterns AONB, Hardwick is ideally located for a weekend getaway of peace and tranquillity.

If you have a spare seat in your car and are happy to share a ride, or if you need a lift to the gathering, join the link to the our retreat community WhatsApp group.

Any questions – please contact us here!

What’s included

Sweat Lodge Ceremony – A profoundly transformative process of cleansing led by experienced ceremonial practitioners.

Morning Yoga – Morning yoga to help us connect to our natural state of body/mind – relaxed awareness, presence, peace. Exploring mindful embodiment through the depth of asanas, breathwork and cleansing practices.

Pranayama – A combination of morning pranayama and activating up regulating breathing practices combines with cooling & calming breathwork techniques to awaken the nervous & breathing system.

Tree meditation – This is a great opportunity to learn effective methods of meditation with the help of the the embodied stillness and living wisdom of the trees which are our traditional and powerful supporters.

Yoga Ayurveda Workshops – Transformational workshops in the stunning location with experienced teachers will allow to breath new life into our essence of being and create a lasting connection to a sense of inner contentment.

Creative Writing – Allow yourself to be guided by your intuition and use words that flow to reflect on your own process of cleansing and rebirth.

Mantra Meditation – Learn the power of sound to revitalise your inner spirit and find your true voice through chanting sacred mantra.

Ayurvedic Assessment – Personal Ayurvedic Assessment of your constitution will be offered. Understanding of your own nature provides enhanced tool set for self healing and wellbeing.

Singing – Proven to boost our sense of wellbeing, singing allows for a deep connection to the self and those we sing with. Enjoy nature inspired, elemental songs around the campfire that’ll soothe your soul.

Live Music – Sacred sound round the campfire will be heart-warming songs about nature, green futures and what it is to be human, lead by specially invited renowned musicians – Luna Harp Sisters.

Meals and Ayurvedic Teas – All our food is organic and locally sourced and lovingly prepared with your health and satisfaction in mind. We are so lucky to be surrounded by passionate and ethical growers!

Nature Connection – Connect to the sacred land around you through immersion into the generous wild.

Wild swimming – We are blessed to have a clean and pure section of the Thames on our doorstep. Listed as one of the best wild swimming spots in UK.

Luxury Indoor Showers – Indoor showers and toilets are conveniently located next to the campsite. There are additional toilets, an outdoor hot shower cabin, sinks and fresh running water also available in the campsite.

Boat Rides – We will have some boats and kayaks available at our campsite throughout the gathering for you to enjoy the river Thames.

Massage/Healing – There will be professional therapists on site offering rejuvenating massage and deeply healing bodywork. This will be offered at a reduced rate but is not included in the package price.

Ground Rent – Accommodation is provided on a secluded camping field next to the shores of the river. Bring a tent with you or hire one at checkout.

 

What’s not included

Tent for Personal Rest – Bring a tent to pitch in our secluded camping field next to the shores of the river. We have an option to rent tents shown below.

Bedding – Please bring your own sleeping bags, blankets, pillows etc.

Cutlery and crockery – Please bring your own plates, bowls, cutlery and mug.

Yoga mat – Please bring your own yoga mat. Let us know if you cant access a mat we have a few to borrow. Please also bring a blanket for end of class relaxation.

 

Tent Options

If you would rather not bring your own tent, we have a limited supply of tent options that can be tailored to your needs. Please select your desired option during your purcchase and your tent will be available for you upon arrival. We will contact you here there is a shortage of tents in your preferred option.

Tent options include:
– Glamping Bell Tent – Complete Snoozing – £240
Bell Matting
2 Single camping beds
Bedding, Linen, Blankets for beds
Quilts, Cushions
Table, Light, Mirror
Fairy lights
Rugs

– Fully Furnished Canvas 5M Bell Tent – £150
Pre-erected, spacious, cotton canvas bell tent equipped with a king-size double mattress, a rug, table and lamp for the whole duration of your stay.

– Medium Tent – £60
Pre-erected, unfurnished tent for your private accommodation during your stay. Sleeps 3-4 people or provides spacious accommodation for one.

– Small tent – £40
Pre-erected, unfurnished tent for 1-2 people for your private accommodation during your stay. Provides decent space for solo travellers.