The most affordable wellness retreats in the UK

Recharge the mental batteries at Claridge House

You’ll no doubt be familiar with their range of aromatherapy treatments, but did you know that Neal’s Yard also offers reasonably priced wellness retreats? At Claridge House, a healing centre in Surrey, you can indulge in a two-night getaway fuelled by calming sessions in yoga, mindfulness and meditation, plus classes in tai chi and the creative arts.

While there, book in for a massage with Andrei Illes, the resident masseur. Between classes and treatments, reconnect with nature as you wander through the garden surrounding the house, admiring its backdrop of the Surrey Hills – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

As befits an eco-friendly retreat, all food served here is vegetarian or vegan, while the kitchen has both recycling and composting schemes in place, and uses only eco-friendly cleaning products.

Cost: £110pp for two nights midweek; £220pp for a two-night weekend stay

Practise mindfulness and yoga at the Sharpham Trust

Those in search of a retreat that focuses equally on mindfulness and yoga should look to the Sharpham Trust in Devon. In the Grade I-listed Sharpham House – situated on a 550-acre estate in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – guests can escape their busy, urban lives while practising two different styles of yoga, perfect for cultivating mindfulness.

In a group of no more than 28 guests, you’ll be guided through sessions in both hatha and yin yoga alongside sitting meditation, all of which are designed to deepen a sense of mind-body awareness. The retreats also include short periods of silence, encouraging participants to engage further with mindful awareness. There's also a real sense of community on Sharpham Trust retreats: guests come together between sessions to enjoy organic and vegetarian meals, and get to know the rest of the group.

Cost: £295pp for four nights in a shared room

Rejuvenate in luxury at Witherdens Hall

Now for a bit of luxury: Witherdens Hall is an Organic Spa Retreat offering a boutique-style experience in the tranquil Kent countryside. Ideal for those looking for a weekend of wellness steeped in pampering rather than mindfulness and spiritualism, here you can indulge in treatments including facials, massages, reiki and acupuncture. Between therapies, guests are free to explore the local area and coastline, or head to the Workspace: a light and airy room designed to stimulate creativity and learning.

The Retreat Cottage is the cheaper of the two on-site accommodations but is still luxurious. Expect your king-sized bed to be fitted with Egyptian cotton sheets, while Neal’s Yard products, fluffy robes and a jacuzzi-style bath await in the bathroom. Accommodation here is self-catering, but with two farm shops close by – one of which offers ready meals from the COOK Kitchen – meal prep couldn’t be easier. Don't fancy spending any of your precious getaway in the kitchen? We hear you! Thankfully, there are a number of pubs serving decent food close by, too.

Finally, those who are desperate for a little R&R but worried about leaving the pooch behind are in luck: Witherdens Hall allows guests to bring a dog for £15 (or two dogs for £25).

Cost: £265pp for a two-night midweek stay

Hone your meditation skills at Gaia House

If you’re after a more serious retreat – one suffused with some spirituality – look to Gaia House: a meditation centre offering silent retreats in the Buddhist tradition. A registered charity, the centre has been operating for nearly 40 years, offering guided teachings in Buddhism led by experienced dharma teachers from all over the world.

Thanks to its network of volunteers, teaching and taking care of the centre, Gaia House offers a programme of weekend and week-long group retreats throughout the year. Expect simple vegetarian meals and no-frills shared accommodation.

Cost: £192pp for three nights

Reconnect with the land on a plant-based retreat at Trill Farm

One for those who like to keep their hands busy: plant-based retreats at Trill Farm are all about getting down on your hands and knees, and reconnecting with the land – whatever the season. Courses are led by academic Jonathan Code, and are inspired by his years of research in holistic science and natural philosophy.

As well as practising yoga in the great outdoors, those who book a retreat at Trill Farm might find themselves harvesting the fruits of the summer or making herbal preparations, wreaths and remedies, depending on the time of year. Retreats often include a chance to work with essential oils, too: distilling them from plants and exploring their properties.

Not for those who like to keep dry and cosy, a large portion of Trill Farm’s retreats are spent outdoors – regardless of weather conditions – so bring appropriate clothing and a brave mindset.

Cost: £295pp for two days excluding accommodation

Find lasting happiness on a Lamrim retreat at Madhyamaka Kadampa

If you already have some understanding of Buddhist philosophies but want to engage further with its practices, visit Madhyamaka Kadampa, a meditation centre in Yorkshire. Retreats here are often by Buddhist monks and are designed to help participants take their teachings to heart and deepen their understanding of, and familiarity with, the practice. Looking for inspiration? Try the Lamrim retreat, which is all about finding inner happiness and making it last.

Classes are held in one of the centre’s meditation rooms. Between sessions, guests are encouraged to walk through the centre’s leafy grounds or find a secluded spot for quiet reflection.

Cost: £200pp for two nights for a luxury single room