Caroline Sylger-Jones - British well-being breaks

You don’t have to travel far to find solace, says Caroline Sylger-Jones, author of Body & Soul Escapes: Britain & Ireland which features over 200 amazing places to rest and rejuvenate, or simply take a little time out. The book provides a wealth of ideas and inspiration but if you just fancy a quick overview then check out Caroline's pick of the best places in the UK below.

Guy Burgs

justletgo.org

Talented and down-to-earth meditation teacher Guy Burgs runs accessible weekend workshops on meditation, qigong and chi yoga and week-long courses for beginners at various country houses across the UK. 

Ford of Clatt

lucyaykroyd.co.uk

This homely old drovers inn in Scotland is the family home of therapist Lucy Aykroyd, who offers Swedish massage, Scaravelli yoga sessions and locally sourced food to her B&B guests. Tired mums or expectant couples can arrange in advance for private sessions with local British Wheel of Yoga teacher and midwife Judy Cameron.

Sarpenela

sarpenela.co.uk

This calming holistic therapy centre in the Dorset countryside is in the stables of the 19th century Farnham Farmhouse, which is run as a B&B. Book in for a few days respite alone or with a friend.

Yoga on a Shoestring

yogaonashoestring.com

Yoga on a Shoestring hosts affordable, creative and healing yoga breaks across the UK, from day and weekend workshops to week-long holidays. The company was founded by yoga teacher and bodyworker Sue Pendlebury, whose creative background in music, dance and the theatre informs her holidays.

Heartspring

heartspring.co.uk

This pink-painted, light-filled Victorian house in Llansteffan, Wales is the home of healer and meditation teacher Maddie Lynfield and a calm and comfortable space in which to recharge. Regular retreats combine healthy food, and an impressive range of treatments and optional guided meditation and counselling sessions. 

The Orange Tree

theorangetree.com

This warm and friendly family-run retreat holds regular Relaxation Weekends with vegetarian meals, personal development workshops and a range of treatments. Your base is a converted Victorian house off a quiet road at the end of a remote North Yorkshire dale.

AyurvedicYogi

ayurvedicyogi.com

Delightful ayurveda weekends run by Bristol-based Sivananda yoga teacher and ayurvedic practitioner Jo Johnston. Enjoy treatments, yoga classes and cooking workshops. Venues include the eco-friendly Littleton Mill in Wiltshire, new for 2009. 

Reclaim Your Self

reclaimyourself.co.uk

Set up by down to earth and dynamic massage therapist Julia (aka Jools) Sampson, Reclaim Your Self offers wellbeing weekends in the UK combining yoga, cooking and nutrition classes with holistic treatments. Bespoke week-long retreats can also be organised, and there are regular ‘Bliss’ days organised in London.

Tilton House

tiltonhouse.co.uk  

This large and lovely white-painted Georgian house at Firle in East Sussex is the former home of economist Maynard Keynes and his ballerina wife. Today it’s home to an ever-changing rosta of creative writing, yoga and personal development retreats, or you can stay as a B&B guest and enjoy the peace. 

The School of Life

theschooloflife.com

This creative company invites exceptional writers and artists to create journeys around unlikely parts of our contemporary world. The aim is to playfully open your mind to the wonder of the everyday. The company also has an inventive shop in London, where it runs evening events and workshops.
 
The Running Inn

therunninginn.co.uk

The Running Inn’s no-frills Credit Crunch Course with Eastbourne-based personal trainers Fiona Bugler and Mike Ovens combines hill training and fitness workshops with a long walk or run on the lovely South Downs. Sports or aromatherapy massages are available. 

The Retreat at Witherdens Hall

witherdenshall.co.uk

Two stylishly converted self-catering cottages built into the former barns of a family home in Kent. Book in-room facials, massage, aromatherapy and acupuncture, or ayurvedic treatments can be had at comfy Tor Spa Retreat, a five minute drive away (torsparetreat.com).
 
The Onward Stretch

thebigstretch.com

Set up by charismatic life coach and psychologist Rosie Walford, The Onward Stretch is a 3 day mental clarifying weekend held a few times every summer in rural locations in the UK. Rosie runs The Big Stretch, highly effective life coaching weeks in Spain, and these UK weekends will take you through a condensed creative process which rapidly puts your world to rights.
 
in:spa

inspa.co.uk

Run by a dynamic and reliable team of experts, in:spa’s three and four-night UK wellbeing breaks are based at the contemporary and luxurious Cowley Manor in Gloucestershire. Enjoy yoga, personal training and local walks with chill out time at Cowley’s spa and delicious detoxifying meals. 

Titanic Spa

titanicspa.co.uk

This destination spa offers day treatments and accommodation set in a textile mill on the banks of a Huddersfield canal. The spa uses its own natural water resource, and the chlorine-free, salt swimming pool with bubbling hydrozone and underwater music make exercise a joy.