15th - 18th December 2025
Yuletide Signature Retreats
Our Yuletide Signature Retreat
In the quiet embrace of the Nant Caethon Valley, the Yuletide Signature Retreat offers a gentle sanctuary from the whirlwind of the season. Here, there’s space to step back from the noise, the rush, and the commercial frenzy that so often masks the true spirit of Christmas. Instead, find your way back to what this time of year truly holds, the deep stillness of winter, the turning toward the solstice, and the warmth of community and reflection.
Over three evenings and days, you’ll rest into a slower rhythm. Together, we will gather around simple rituals, seasonal crafts, and heartfelt ceremonies that honour the turning year. There’s room to breathe, to dream, and to reconnect with the natural world as it quiets and prepares for new beginnings.
In Essence
Comfortable, shared accommodation nestled within peaceful woodlands and fields
A lovingly curated programme of workshops, crafts, sound healing, and ritual gatherings
Seasonal, nourishing feasts inspired by the land, rich in flavour, warmth, and rooted in mindful, plant-based traditions
Time by the fire under wide Welsh skies, moments of candlelit meditation, and stargazing deep into winter’s night
This is a space to let go of distraction, to slow down, and to listen to what your heart most longs for as the year draws to a close.
The Heart of the Retreat
Whether your intention is to reconnect with old traditions, find rest in nature’s rhythm, or simply carve out time for renewal, this retreat holds:
A respite from the busyness and overwhelm of the Christmas season
A chance to come together in gentle community, shared stories, and creative expression
Deep rest and meaningful simplicity in a landscape softened by winter’s hush
A way to honour the turning toward the winter solstice, the longest night and the promise of returning light.
“I embraced being solitary in nature and felt completely held by the land. I wondered through the forests and sang to the trees, cried, laughed, and came home to myself after what felt like a long time of feeling out of balance.”
- Zaffire, Retreat Guest 2023
Example Schedules
These schedules are purely an example of how are days are structured,
your retreat will differ from below.
Tuesday
3pm: Arrivals
4pm: Opening Circle
5pm: Connecting with the Land
6:30pm: Evening Feast
8pm: Meditation
Wednesday
6:30am: Chanting at Dawn
7:30am: Breakfast
9am: Morning Gathering
10am: Qi Gong
1pm: Lunch
3pm: Log Splitting & Cream Teas
6pm: Evening Feast
8pm: Campfire/Movie Night
Thursday
7:30am: Breakfast
9am: Morning Gathering
10am: Harmony Weave
1pm: Lunch
3pm: Nature Crafting
6pm: Evening Feast
8pm: Nocturnal Blessings
(Silent Disco on the land)
Friday
7:30am: Breakfast
9:15am: Closing Circle
10am: Depart
Friday
3pm: Arrivals
4pm: Opening Circle
5pm: Connecting with the Land
6:30pm: Evening Feast
8pm: Night Time Forest Bathing
Saturday
6:30am: Celestial Blessings
(Silent Disco on the Land)
7:30am: Breakfast
9am: Morning Gathering
10am: The Big Walk
1pm: Lunch
3pm: Mapping the Dream of your Body
6pm: Evening Feast
8pm: Campfire/Movie Night
Sunday
7:30am: Breakfast
9am: Morning Gathering
10am: Shamanic Yoga
1pm: Lunch
3pm: Sound Journey
6pm: Evening Feast
8pm: Journalling by Candlelight
Monday
7:30am: Breakfast
9:15am: Closing Circle
10am: Depart
ACCOMMODATION
Luxurious rooms with modern amenities awaits you, each designed by award winning designers to provide comfort and tranquility.
Each rooms interior reflect our passion for other cultures. Natural materials and tactile draping create den-like spaces, whilst original floorboards and textured walls give coherence and a cosseting feel to the seven rooms, each with its own distinct name and character.
The essence of connection thrives through our shared rooms. Our distinctive approach assigns beds individually rather than by room, encouraging meaningful interactions with fellow guests.
Embracing shared living is ingrained in The Dreaming’s values, creating an environment where bonds flourish.
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For 2 Individuals Sharing
Inspired by Luna herself, The Moon is designed to honour the lunar goddesses. Using handmade natural materials, it is a purifying and calming space, with soft flowing white fabrics. Luxurious beds with fabric privacy screens, a spacious seating area, and an ensuite with moon-shaped bath overlooking the Moon Garden.
It is south facing, overlooking the Elemental garden, with a breathtaking view of the Nant Caethon Valley.
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Mixed Gender Dorm / For Four Individuals Sharing / 4 x Single Beds
An exceptional space designed for four guests to experience the perfect blend of tranquility and connection.
South-facing with a private balcony, this room offers breathtaking views of the Elemental garden and the Nant Caethon Valley, making it the perfect setting for shared moments of peace and reflection. The room's hand-sewn furnishings, crafted from a collection of rich Indian saris, shift in colour as the day progresses, adding to the room's vibrant yet serene ambiance. Its spacious seating area and single beds with fabric privacy screens provide both comfort and intimacy, while encouraging guests to relax, unwind, and enjoy quality time together.
The ensuite bathroom features a stunning golden tadelakt shower, enveloped by lush botanical plants, creating a truly rejuvenating experience. Whether you're here to bond with loved ones or create new memories with friends, The Mystic Room is a haven that invites relaxation, connection, and renewal. Sharing this beautiful space enhances the experience, offering not just a room, but a sanctuary for togetherness. South-facing with a balcony, to take in the breathtaking views of the Elemental garden and the Nant Caethon Valley.
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For 2 individuals sharing
The best place to experience the breaking of day, The Dawn is south facing with a balcony to enjoy the view of the Elemental garden and the Nant Caethon Valley.
The handmade soft furnishings were created using natural dyes to reflect the colours of sunrise, bringing a brightness to the room. With luxurious beds and fabric privacy screens, a seating area, rustic pine furniture, and an altar to honour the solar deities, a stay in The Dawn is an energy restoring experience. Its bathroom is across the hall, and has a Moroccan-inspired tangerine tadelakt shower.
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For 2 Individuals Sharing
Inspired by the wonders of mycelium (the network of fungal threads that connects all the plants of the forest together) The Mushroom is designed and crafted using rustic natural materials to achieve an earthy, grounded feel, dark antique wooden furniture and warm neutral tones in its spacious seating area, and luxurious beds with fabric privacy screens.
It is south facing, overlooking the Elemental garden, with a breathtaking view of the Nant Caethon Valley, and includes an ensuite bathroom, with a walk-in shower, and a bath with a view, surrounded by a selection of botanical plants.
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For 3 Individuals Sharing
A stay at The Wanderer is an immersive experience, with natural materials and artefacts from Africa, Peru and Mexico. This is the room for explorers, and has a spacious seating area, and luxurious beds with fabric privacy screens.
The room is south facing, overlooking the Elemental garden, with a breathtaking view of the Nant Caethon Valley, and includes an ensuite bathroom, with a shower and bath, and a window seat to take in the view.
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For 1 Individual or Couples
Honouring the design and forest reverence in Japanese culture, Forest Spirits is north facing and overlooks the ancient woodland.
With traditional Japanese tatami flooring, a spacious seating area, and a luxurious king-size bed, the room also has an ensuite bathroom with a black tadelakt shower and a porcelain lotus sink. Immersive Japanese experience for all of the senses, including the scent of traditional Japanese Tatami Mats.
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For 2 Individuals Sharing
North-facing to the deep forests, The Womb is a celebration of womanhood. With soft flowing fabrics, all handmade and dyed using natural ingredients, it has the nourishing, secure feeling of being swaddled. Luxurious beds with fabric privacy screens, a seating area, and a playful ensuite with a pink tadelakt shower.
The Location
Nestled in the heart of the Elan Valley, Wales. Our retreat offers a serene and rejuvenating environment, away from busy work life, whatever the weather.
Set within forty seven glorious acres of ancient land, The Dreaming is a rural wonder which offers true serenity and blissful tranquility. Once a 15th century Cistercian monastery, this fabulous property passed through Georgian and Victorian aristrocratic families to the designer Laura Ashley and her family in the 20th century.
Laura Ashley directed her multinational interior design company from Rhydoldog House and then, in 2020, our founder Charlotte Church, with the help of talented collaborators, reimagined, refurbished and reconfigured it.
