Yoga and Wild Swimming Retreat in the Lake District

Highlights

  • Discover amazing wild swimming locations of the Lake District
  • Fully switch off and recharge in the most stunning of locations
  • Enjoy a variety of daily yoga sessions
From £850 pp
  1. Choose start date
  2. Select the number of people in your group
  3. Check availability!
Request Availabilty

What you'll do

Overview

On this retreat (4 day long weekend or extended 5 day retreat), you’ll be discovering amazing wild swimming locations of the Lake District, before relaxing in complete luxury where your every wish will be catered for. The whole retreat will allow you to fully switch off and recharge in the most stunning of locations.

Available 2023 Start Dates:
September 25th - 29th (5 DAYS)
September 29th - 2nd October (4 DAYS)

Over the course of the retreat you will experience and enjoy a wide range of activities, from wild swimming to relaxing daily yoga sessions.

You’ll receive expert swimming guidance from the fabulous Gilly McArthur in some of the Lake District’s most beautiful wild swimming locations and unlimited access to Lake Windermere, diving into the crisp, clear waters, washing away all worries and stress at any time day or night. You will be able to dive deeper into the concept of cold water swimming in your own skin!

After an invigorating swim, warm up with herbal teas and wholesome cake post swim, whilst taking in the beauty of your surroundings. You’ll be staying in a majestic Georgian manor house with its own lake frontage and enjoy a variety of daily yoga sessions from energising morning practises to relaxing, meditative sessions in the evening. The location is the perfect place to soak up the late summer sun in the beautiful gardens with panoramic views of Lake Windermere.

During the retreat there will be healthy, plant based, delicious meals made fresh for you each and every day.

Everyone is welcome, so solo travellers, couples and friends come and join in this all new retreat. Be as active or relaxed as you like whilst you enjoy this retreat in the Lake District.

Accommodation

Silverholme has been exclusively designed to ensure you experience the Lake District at its very best. The magnificent manor house has all the modern luxuries you could ask for but still holds true to its period character. Every room throughout the house has been tastefully appointed. All of the stunning en-suite bedrooms are light and spacious, with distinctive furniture and style and views of the lake or woodland. And with four reception rooms including the grand dining room, quiet library and calm drawing room, there are plenty of peaceful corners that you can find to unwind in.

The Yoga Space

Just a short stroll across the courtyard from the manor house lies the the Coach house. It has recently undergone a modern renovation using wood from the estate for its warm wooden floors and has surround sound systems in place, ideal for playing music to help you drift off into relaxation. Its high ceilings and full length doors opening out onto the garden, allow the yoga room to be filled with natural light making it a calm and tranquil environment; the perfect space for your yoga and relaxation practise.

Swimming 

The beauty of this location is its lake frontage. You will be able to dip, plunge or swim in Lake Windermere whenever the mood suits you. You will feel invigorated and empowered as you connect back to nature in this stunning body of water surrounded by majestic mountains. This retreat also offers daily guided longer swims with our swim instructors where your every safety will be catered for and as little or as much kit as you need will be provided. Regardless of your swimming ability, you are all very welcome to join in on this retreat.

Holistic Treatments

There will be plenty of time to indulge in a body treatment or two with one on our superb in house therapists. We offer a range of massage treatments, using organic therapeutic oils to ease away your stresses and strains. £60 for 45 minute treatment.

 

Arrival

Welcome to the Lake District!

On arrival at 5pm you’ll be welcomed with tea and cake, and have some time to settle into your beautiful accommodation that you’ll be able to call home for the next few days.

At 6pm there will be an hour long meditation and yoga class, which will ensure that you start your stay in a relaxing way.

At 7:30pm, dinner will be served! Here you will have a chance to get to know the other guests on the retreat, and receive a full introduction to the itinerary for the days ahead.

Yoga and Wild Swimming

Mornings will start with a relaxing meditation and yoga class from 7:45-9:15 am, which will ensure your day begins with the best start possible!

A delicious breakfast will be served at 9:15 am, making sure you are fuelled for the day ahead.

At 10:30 am there will be a safety briefing and kit distribution before you head out on your guided swim! The swim will start at 11 am. Whilst you are welcome to swim in the lake at any point during your retreat, safety cover is only provided during guided swims.

Lunch will be served at 1 pm, to refuel you after wild swimming. Then from 2:30-5 pm, you will have free time to relax and receive massages – the perfect way to wind down!

From 6-7 pm there will be another meditation and yoga class, and then dinner will be served from 7:30 pm.

Please note for the 5 day retreat this itinerary will be followed for days 2, 3 & 4 (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday).

Yoga and Departures

On the last day of your retreat, there will be meditation and yoga class from 7:45 – 8:45 am, followed by breakfast.

Sadly, you will need to check out of your room at 10am and say farewell to the beautiful Lake Windermere. We’re sure you’ll leave the retreat feeling well rested and rejuvenated!

What's included

Included

  • Luxury accommodation with en-suite bathroom
  • Daily yoga and meditation sessions
  • Yoga equipment – mats, blocks and props
  • Daily unlimited wild swimming
  • Guided wild swim sessions
  • Transport to and from activity locations
  • Breakfast, lunch and two course evening meal, all vegetarian and plant based
  • Unlimited fruit, organic teas, coffee and fruit water
  • Linen, towels, shampoo and conditioner
  • Wet suit hire and complimentary swim cap
  • The friendly host service of the retreat team throughout your stay
Your local host

Laura Bell

Laura landed into yoga quite literally after being thrown out of a boat in Australia 11 years ago and landing with a broken back. After 3 months of rehabilitation, she was able to walk again but was told her passion of running was no longer an option and that yoga would be the best form of exercise to aid her recovery. As she started to practise yoga as a way to keep her back strong and pain free, her love of yoga was born. After training with David Swenson in Ashtanga yoga a new yogic way of life flourished.

From teaching weekly classes and workshops she soon realised that she wanted to give her students more. It was then that her retreats were born. She found a stunning location, taught the yoga, led the group on coastal walks and with the help of her mum cooked the meals. It was very much a family affair, with her sister helping out and carrying out the massages. But demand for the retreats grew and now have a team of like minded, caring women running the retreats throughout the year. Laura is still very much involved in the running of the retreats and will often be there to help set up, sometimes with a baby or toddler in tow!

Laura landed into yoga quite literally after being thrown out of a boat in Australia 11 years ago and landing with a broken back. After 3 months of rehabilitation, she was able to walk again but was told her passion of running was no longer an option and that yoga would be the best form of exercise to aid her recovery. As she started to practise yoga as a way to keep her back strong and pain free, her love of yoga was born. After training with David Swenson in Ashtanga yoga a new yogic way of life flourished.

From teaching weekly classes and workshops she soon realised that she wanted to give her students more. It was then that her retreats were born. She found a stunning location, taught the yoga, led the group on coastal walks and with the help of her mum cooked the meals. It was very much a family affair, with her sister helping out and carrying out the massages. But demand for the retreats grew and now have a team of like minded, caring women running the retreats throughout the year. Laura is still very much involved in the running of the retreats and will often be there to help set up, sometimes with a baby or toddler in tow!

Sustainability Efforts

What Sustainability Efforts are we Taking?

At Not in the Guidebooks, we’re committed to empowering the local communities. We work closely with local people and businesses to ensure they receive a fair percentage of the money you spend. By partnering with local guides and suppliers, we create meaningful, authentic experiences that directly benefit the local community.

Learn More

Location

Silverholme is an eco friendly 5* Georgian Manor house on the shores of Lake Windermere, near the small town of Ambleside. Silverholme resides within the Graythwaite family-run country estate spanning 5,000 acres of the English Lake District. The house surrounded by parkland and and gardens with unparalleled panoramic views and its private access to the lake, you will find it hard not to sit back and relax in the opulence this retreat venue has to offer. This retreat venue will take your breath away.

 

FAQs

What is the food like on the retreat?

This invigorating retreat requires a lot of fuel, which we provide with our delicious plant based vegetarian menu. You will be greeted with wholesome flapjacks and tea post swim, then it's back to the house for warming lunches of soups and dips, and a divine two course meal in the evening. Pukka and fresh herbal teas are a plenty, along with a selection of fresh fruit and healthy cakes. We try to avoid sugar, dairy, wheat and gluten where possible and we can cater for any specific dietary requirements.

Before attending a retreat do I need to have had experience of yoga ?

Our retreats are suitable for all levels and abilities. You are welcome to do as much or as little as you like. We advise you to have taken a few classes before attending a retreat but it is not compulsory.

What do I need to bring?

1. Summer – Suitable walking boots, comfortable clothing to walk in, warm waterproof jacket, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses. Small day rucksack. Winter – As above but Waterproof trousers, gloves and wooly hat.

2. Small day rucksack.

3. Layers of clothing for your yoga and meditation practise. Slippers or warm socks for the house.

4. Yoga mat and blanket. If you don’t have a mat please inform us and we can arrange one for you.

5. Plenty of lovely reading material.

6. Drinking water bottle.

Can I use my mobile phone?

Yes. But do we encourage phones to be switched off. We request that guests keep phones on silent and limit use where possible. Keeping communal areas a phone free zone.

Is there parking?

Yes. Free off street parking available.

Is the food on the retreats vegetarian?

Yes. All of our retreats have vegetarian menus with dishes based around the seasons. Food is local and organic where possible.

Can I bring alcohol?

No. Retreats are alcohol free and we respectfully ask that you do not bring alcohol to any of the retreats.

Can I smoke?

No. Although our retreats are very relaxed they are non smoking events. We welcome everyone at our retreats but please note that if you are a smoker you will need to go off site to smoke.

Can you cater for specific dietary requirements?

Yes. The weekend is all vegetarian and we can cater for people with allergies and intolerances.

Can we car share?

Yes, of course. Send us your details and we can pass them on to other members of the group and see who is interested.

Join our community

Get off the beaten track and support local communities that you visit.

Sign up for inspiriation for your itinerary, new experiences and special offers.