A FIVE-STAR hotel in the New Forest is encouraging people to make the most of the great outdoors with retreats designed to recharge the mind, body and soul.
Lime Wood Hotel, by Lyndhurst, is utilising its forest location to invite guests to get back to nature and make time for themselves with new retreats at the hotel’s spa.
Herb House spa will be launching the ‘re-wilding’ retreats in September, as created by spa director Tammy Kenyon and health, fitness and wellbeing director Justin Pimm, focusing on mindfulness, fitness and relaxation.
Ahead of the first retreat starting from September 14, Tammy said: “The main theme is back in nature. We’re so lucky to have the forest on our doorstep so we felt it was a good time to launch after years spent in the pandemic. Our ethos at Limewood is being part of nature anyway so it’s about appreciating what’s there. We’ll be drawing the link between mental and physical health.”
Three different forest themed retreats will be on offer, including:
The Power of Nature with Bamford- three-day retreat
The first retreat will take place from September 14 to 16, from £1,905 per person. The two-day retreat includes treatments, a guided immersive forest immersion walk led by Lindsey from Dorset Forest Bathing, sound healing, seasonal fresh food and mind and movement classes. The activities are designed to help guests to connect with each of their senses as they relax within the nature of the New Forest.
Wild Wanderings Retreat
A day-long retreat beginning on September 27 for £225. The wild wanderings retreat includes a guided forest bathing walk, an outdoor movement and breathwork session, a healing spa treatment, meditation sessions, time in the Herb House spa and lunch in Raw & Cured.
Forest Fix Retreat
The final re-wilding retreat, starting on October 11 for £325 features a more physical experience, led by head of fitness Justin Pimm. The day will entail forest runs, mobility and strength sessions and classes in the forest including kettlebells and a forest combat session in addition to an hour-long treatment and time in the Herb House spa.
Justin said: “We want to provide that escapism and push forward to get people back to their roots in nature.
“My session will be more active and intense. It’s about moving well, moving with intent and it’s open to any fitness level. We very much take the client’s needs into consideration.”
Spa director, Tammy added: “It’s all about community and getting back together again. Technology has its place but there’s nothing better than getting together and having conversations.”
The programme of re-wilding retreats will take place in Autumn and Spring to “show off nature” in its transitional months. Following the country’s recovery from covid the Limewood staff have been considering the nature route for a while. Tammy and Justin decided to make it reality in Spring 2022 when they began preparations for the upcoming launch.
The award-winning destination spa includes three storeys of treatment rooms, fitness spaces, pools, saunas, a restaurant, and a gym. Raw & Cured is the Herb House restaurant run by Ria Rhodes and Luke Holder, offering natural and healthy food, for breakfast and lunch; as well as fresh juices and smoothies. The pair re-designed the menu earlier in 2022 to embrace local produce and provide a healthier menu for guests.
The hotel and spa in Beaulieu Road backs on to the forest, with a gate for guests to access. The Hampshire venue has recieved awards such as being titled the Best Hotel in The Times Travel Awards in 2020 and Readers Choice in the Conde Naste Traveller awards in 2019. For more go to limewoodhotel.co.uk.
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