The essence of this weekend is taking some time out to relax before the hectic festive season. Our team helps you to see this retreat as an opportunity to enjoy this darker, hibernation time of year. We give you permission to slow down. The retreat is tailored to be in sync with the slower rhythms of nature that this time of year presents. You will leave so calm, content and chilled ready to take on the busy festive time ahead.
| Date | Yoga Teacher | Stay | Bookings |
|---|---|---|---|
| November TBC |
Laura Bell | 3 day | Book |
Highlights
- Luxury accommodation to relax into.
- Divine plant based food to nourish your body.
- Yoga to ease away winter stresses and strains.
- Deep relaxation and calming meditations.
- Bracing hill walks, taking in the fresh welsh air, building up a healthy appetite.
- Time to sit by our log fire, unwinding on all levels.
“Loved the yoga, Laura is wonderful. Enjoyed the meal times with the group, really nice to be with a group of like minded people. Cannot think of a single thing I would change or add, It was my first and certainly not my last.”
Helen, Birmingham, November 2023
“it was all so good...I wanted to experience a sense of peace and practice yoga with like minded people You totally delivered on all my expectations thank you for that”
Jules, London
“I had a wonderful time in the most beautiful and impressive surroundings. I would love to join The Zest Life again one day for another spectacular retreat.”
Tricia, Shrewsbury
“A really lovely retreat which sought to cater for all levels of fitness. I would highly recommend this retreat to anyone wishing to feel better about themselves”
Elin, Bristol
The Venue
Plas Ashpool is a newly renovated barn which offers an interior that is warm and welcoming. Traditional barn features and wooden floors can be found throughout, making it feel light and homely. Doors open out from the 4 ground floor bedrooms onto the terrace. There are quiet outside spaces where you are free to sit or stroll peacefully at any time. Or enjoy exploring the 20 acres of land including fields, a woodland with private swimming pond and tennis court. These wide open spaces of nature make this the optimal environment for regeneration and wellbeing.
The Accommodation
Finished to a high standard, the decor is crisp and fresh with warm tones and pops of colour in the bedrooms soft furnishings. The oak frame barn sleeps 12 in 6 twin/king double rooms, 4 of which are ensuite. All bathrooms have showers and baths. Sink into large soft sofas by day and cosy up in beds with fresh, white linen by night. An open plan living/ dining space on the first floor is a light and airy calming space to relax. It is perfect for convivial dining, and is complete with log burner and far reaching views across the valley and up to the hills.
The Location
Escape to the breathtaking beauty of North Wales where our brand new retreat venue sits quietly in the the Vale of Clwyd, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and one of the most picturesque rural locations of the UK. A charming and serene location, find market towns, medieval castles, miles of coastline, rugged hills and majestic mountains including Snowdon, cool rivers and crisp waterfalls, breathtaking views and wide open spaces, there is just so much natural beauty to explore. All this only a 3 hours train journey from central London.
Natural Swimming Pond
Witness and receive the powerful physical, energetic and emotional benefits of this practice. Cold water has many physiological effects on your body from soothing aching muscles to releasing endorphins and stimulating the lymphatic system. You will learn how to control breathing, keep calm and relax with deep breathing to get over the initial cold shock. Regardless of your experience all the guidance will be given to allow you to immerse yourself in this incredible healing practice in the most secluded natural swimming pond. Listen to the sweet bird song, feel the peace and simply drop into your cold water relaxation experience.
Yoga Room
The yoga room is a light and spacious oak framed room with floor to ceiling windows overlooking a quiet, flower filled courtyard. The yoga room lying adjacent to the barn, allows you to walk straight from your bedroom, down the hall and into the yoga space. With an array of indoor plants and a sound system, you can tune in to relaxing music, drifting off into a world of calm, enjoying this tranquil space anytime day or night.
The Food
We are passionate about healthy eating here at The Zest Life and we make it an integral part of our Autumn and Winter retreats, with an emphasis on warming and nourishing plant-based meals. Our food is always made without sugar or dairy products and low in wheat and gluten where required. We offer beautiful Yogi herbal teas for you to choose from over the course of the retreat and with three full meals a day, fresh juice and healthy treats in the afternoon you are sure to feel nourished.
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, from Indian head and Swedish full body, to Tui Na (a Chinese massage similar to Shiatsu). Our therapists use organic therapeutic oils to ease away your stresses and strains. Each treatment is £65 for 45 minutes. Go to your team for further information on the therapists.
Yoga Teacher – Laura Bell
Laura is a yoga teacher and founder of The Zest Life. She has a personal and friendly yet professional attitude towards her teaching of vinyasa flow based yoga. A style that has come from her 20 years of yoga practice, focusing on movement with breath and alignment. Her classes with their inspired sequences and calming relaxations are set to rejuvenate the body and focus the chattering mind. She continues to practise yoga at a physical level and through continued meditation she has developed a more spiritual path to her practise, which she now incorporates into her teachings both on and off the mat.
Getting There
Plas Ashpool, Llandyrnog, Denbighshire, LL16 4HP, North Wales, UK.
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Our retreat is easily accessible by both train and car.
By Car
Chester 40 Minutes
Manchester/Liverpool/Wilmslow/Knutsford 1 Hour
The A55 expressway is an easy 12 minute drive away. You drop down from this expressway and drive along the B5429 through small villages before arriving at Plas Ashpool.
By Rail
National Rail will release train ticket availability around three months before travel.
The nearest station is Prestatyn, 25 minutes from the venue and with direct train links to Central London taking just 3 hours.
Chester station is the next closest station, 45 minutes from the venue, with direct links from Central London and Manchester.
Local taxi firms: Prestatyn Taxi 0174588811 – Robert’s Taxi 01745 888444
By Air
Manchester International airport is the nearest airport to the venue, with a car journey time of 1 1/2 hours.
Price per person (including VAT)
| Room | 3 day |
|---|---|
| King Double Ensuite – Single Occupancy | from £TBC |
| King Double/twin Ensuite – Shared Occupancy | from £TBC |
| King Double/twin (shared bathroom) – Shared Occupancy | from £TBC |
The deposit of 20% is required on booking and the final payment due 60 days before the retreat start date. Please read our terms and conditions before booking.
Price includes
- Two nights luxury accommodation with shared bathroom.
- Four yoga and meditation sessions.
- Yoga equipment use – mats/blocks/props.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner – wholesome and plant-based.
- Unlimited fruit, teas, coffee and fruit water.
- Two guided countryside walks.
- Private access to the 20 acres of fields and woodland
- The friendly host service of the team at the retreat throughout your stay.
- Plas Ashpool is extremely comfortable and all rooms are finished to a very high standard.
- Linen, towels and toiletries are provided.
This retreat is very popular so please book early to avoid disappointment.
If you have any further queries about the retreat please see our FAQ’S page or contact Laura on 07989 512859 / email info@thezestlife.co.uk
