If you only book one retreat for 2025 make it The Zest Life Signature Retreat, Plas Ashpool. This world class retreat comprises key elements that will bring you into perfect balance and help you jumpstart a path towards better health. Calm your mind and challenge your body in as little as four days at Plas Ashpool, a place of solace, where you are warmly invited here to heal. Whether you are a solo traveller, couple or group, guests participate together over a long weekend, in an active daily schedule consisting of 4 hours of low-impact exercise.
The immersive programme is designed to allow you to connect with nature’s healing elements and improve your overall wellness. It allows you to detoxify your body in a healthy, sustainable way, all whilst getting back to basics in nature. It will give you the opportunity to determine where you are on the road to balanced and healthy living, along with the knowledge and tools to make sustainable healthy changes in your daily life. The aim of the Signature retreat is to educate you on the inherent value of prioritising your physical health and mental health in equal measure.
The ethos of The Zest Life Signature retreat and staff is that your health is the ultimate luxury. We are dedicated to creating a safe, secure and sacred place to allow for personal awareness and life transformation; physically, mentally and spiritually.
Highlights
| Date | Yoga Teacher | Stay | Bookings |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 6-9 |
Laura Bell | 4 day | Book |
- Hiking across the breathtaking Clwydian Range through ancient forests with views to Snowdonia.
- Cold water immersion and wild swimming at the retreats secluded woodland swimming pond.
- Yoga and meditation that will free your body.
- Group session on mental fitness and work life balance with life coach Kerry Sutcliffe.
- Nourishing organic plant based meals.
- Time away from social media and digital distractions.
- Quiet healing spaces in your day without interruption to draw breath and nap.
- A private woodland to walk, sit, be and relax.
- Massage treatments, that really are a treat for self.
“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
“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
“... it was all excellent, thanks to Katy for the Yoga, Dave for the swims and Catherine for the food … I loved it and hope to be back!”
Louise, Moira
Plas Ashpool is the family home of Laura Bell our founder. Growing up here her passion for nature and wellness grew. A place of solice, it is where her inspiration for The Zest Life retreats began. You are warmly invited here to heal.
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.
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.
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.“Like minded people coming together in a shared experience that positively affected us all. A great team dynamic. Led by inspirational but real leaders who love what they do. It’s infectious!”
Claire, Saddleworth
“From the moment you arrive until you leave it’s so relaxing and a lovely escape from everyday life... The yoga is the best I’ve been to and the walks are also very good… I can’t recommend highly enough!”
Barbara, Liverpool
Food
Our chef is constantly adjusting the menu, based on what’s in season. Inspired by nature, our lovingly prepared, predominantly plant based cuisine is a highlight for our guests and a key component of our approach to health and wellbeing. The Zest Life team has been cooking with plant proteins for more than 12 years and is passionate about offering complete, nutrient-dense meals with an element of surprise. With organic seasonal vegetables drawn from the Zest Life onsite kitchen gardens, these plant powered meals and snacks will fuel your active days.
Hikes
Pull on your muddy boots, grab your rucksack and we will be off. Stepping straight out of the front door at Plas Ashpool, you are into pasture land and wide open spaces. Our daily guided walks will be up in the Clwydin Range, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, that surrounds the estate. Within half an hour you will be enjoying the quiet hill tops with breathtaking, expansive views up and down the picturesque valley, to Snowdonia and beyond. You will be left in awe of this mythical and legendary part of the world.
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.
Holistic Treatments
There will be plenty of time to indulge in a body treatment or two with one on our superb in house therapists. Enjoy the healing benefits of taking time out and indulging in a holistic therapy amidst the retreats stunning grounds. We offer a range of massage treatments, from Indian head and Swedish full body, to Acupuncture and 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. Growing up at Plas Ashpool, her family home, Laura’s passion for nature and wellness grew, and it is here her inspiration for The Zest Life retreats began. She teaches vinyasa flow based yoga, a style that has come from her 20 years of yoga practice, focuses on movement with breath and alignment. Classes are set to rejuvenate the body and focus the chattering mind. Through continued meditation her practise follows a spiritual path which she 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.
The Signature price includes 3 Nights / 4 Days (Friday-Monday) of:
- Accommodation with ensuite and shared bathrooms
- Daily yoga and meditation sessions
- Yoga equipment – mats/blocks/props
- Daily guided 3 hour hikes
- Daily Cold water immersion/swimming in natural woodland swimming pond
- Group wellbeing coaching session with a free follow up one-to-one virtual life coaching session worth £100
- Plant-based, nutritionally dense meals and snacks
- Unlimited fruit, tea, herbal teas, coffee and flavoured water
- Private access to the 20 acres of fields and woodland
- Linen, towels and toiletries are provided
- Plas Ashpool is extremely comfortable and all rooms are finished to a very high standard.
- The friendly host service of the team at the retreat throughout your stay
| Room | 4 day |
|---|---|
| King Double Ensuite – Single Occupancy | from £1088 |
| King Double/twin Ensuite – Shared Occupancy | from £944 |
| King Double/twin (shared bathroom) – Shared Occupancy | from £899 |
The deposit of 20% is required on booking and the final payment due 90 days before the retreat start date. Please read our terms and conditions before booking.
Places are limited to 12 guests so please book early to avoid disappointment. An intimate number of guests ensures everybody achieves their goals from their time at The Zest Life Signature retreat.
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
