If you're exhausted from holding everyone and everything together, and ready for someone to hold you for a change, join us for four days in Cornwall to rest, breathe, and remember what it feels like to receive.
"My soul is still thanking me for it." — Bekah
Imagine
You wake to the sound of birdsong and silence. Fresh air, uninterrupted views, fields and trees rolling down to the water.
There's a mug of tea in your hands before anyone asks anything of you. Time to sit, to notice the light change, to feel your shoulders drop an inch further than they have in months.
You walk to the old chapel for practice, ancient stone and quiet, the same stillness that's held people here for centuries. You savour time to enjoy moving and breathing, waking up and appreciating your amazing body.
As the day unfolds you might wander by the old oak to the river, cold water and open sky if you fancy a dip. If that's not for you, find a quiet space in the house or grounds to daydream.
Later, guided rest enables layers of tension to fall away. As the evening draws in, you're sharing stories over dinner, with women who already feel like old friends. You warm yourself by the fire. You're not checking your phone. You're just here.
This might be for you.....
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You're feeling stuck, and want time to reconnect with your own aspirations.
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You're 40+ and ready to make changes as you move into the next chapter.
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You're burnt out or exhausted and need real replenishment.
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You're always putting everyone else first and are craving some time that's just yours.
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You need a digital detox and some proper headspace.
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You've wanted to go on a yoga retreat but have worried you need to be "good enough" first. You don't.
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You have a yearning for spiritual connection, woven into everyday life rather than floaty or performative.
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You're craving stillness and quiet.
Bekah
"Such a fantastic retreat for someone like me who needs to have structure in order to rest. Perfect timing for a reset between the end of summer and all things winter approaching. Cannot recommend more highly, the food, the women and Louise's calm and gentle instruction. Not like any other retreat I have been on."
Amanda
"The retreat for me was just amazing, I learnt so much from you, and I am so grateful we met. I'm implementing everything you taught us. I want to bottle this feeling!"
Come Home to Yourself
Slow Down & Reconnect
From the relentless demands of career and family, always holding it together, this is essential time to stop, and be held in a supportive container.
Nervous System Regulation & Stress Relief
Feel what it's like to be in your natural state of rest and ease.
Mental Clarity
Precious headspace to rediscover your own priorities.
Feel Good In Your Body
From ignoring or bypassing your needs, to exploring embodied practices you can carry on long after the retreat ends.
Connection
Female spaces are truly magical. Inspiring conversation, genuine listening, validation and peer support, not forgetting fun, laughter and play.
Be Yourself
No performance, nothing to fix. You'll be met with loving care and encouraging wisdom.
Venue
You will feel the ordinary world drop away the moment you arrive. Erth Barton sits on its own private peninsula, wrapped almost entirely by the River Lynher. It's unlike anywhere else, marrying its medieval roots with the modern comforts of a lovingly nurtured home, immersed in an unspoilt natural landscape.
There are views from every window, sunrise at the front, sunset at the back, an ever-changing landscape and light throughout the day.
At the heart of Erth is the ancient chapel where you'll practise, quiet and steady enough to put everything in perspective almost instantly.
The elemental experience of nature is enhanced by shared time outdoors or curling up by cosy fires.
It's a place to feel held, nourished, and grounded.
"I loved the sound healing and would definitely do it again. My memory goes back to walking over to the church in my pyjamas and being cocooned in the loveliest Yoga Nidra in an incredible candlelit, historic, romantic setting. I felt like I floated out of there." — Becky
Yoga & Meditation
Morning practice combines breath work, somatic strength and alignment-informed yoga postures to feel centred, uplifted and energised. Everything is respectful of what you can do and nourishing for a female body.
Afternoon or evening practice sessions will be slow flowing postures, or Restorative Yoga, and guided rest (Yoga Nidra). These sessions are designed to help you unwind, support sleep and create a deep sense of wellbeing and ease.
Meditation will be offered in the morning, with meditative techniques woven throughout the retreat. Insight Meditation, or Vipassana, is simple and supportive, helping you build self-understanding, emotional regulation and self-compassion you can take home with you.
The overall aim is to inspire and support personal practice beyond the retreat. I encourage a spirit of curiosity and openness, with the opportunity to ask questions throughout. How and what you practice is usually more meaningful than how much you do.
"An empowering teacher, who, drawing on wide experience, shapes practice skilfully for everyone to build a stronger relationship between body and mind." — Kate
The Retreat Experience
There's free time to wander, along the river, through the grounds, or simply to sit. The riverside is a beautiful, undisturbed spot to meditate, daydream, or just be still. If you fancy a dip, you're welcome to, entirely at your own risk, and we'll point you to the best times and safest spots. There's also an outdoor sauna on site, a lovely way to warm up after a cold dip, or just because.
There's an optional excursion to the coast, a dip in the sea, a walk along the headland towards Cawsand, past Rame Head. It's truly beautiful and quiet, but the terrain is rugged with some steep sections, so it suits a reasonable level of fitness, and it's entirely optional.
Evenings include time to unwind by the lounge fire or curl up with a book. On our final night, we'll gather round the outdoor fire pit instead, weather allowing.
"I felt like a different person after returning, calm and strong. Such a seamless mix of self-care, swimming and fun. Can't wait until the next one." — Suzie
The Rooms
All room prices include all the retreat costs. Prices are per person.
30% deposit required to secure your place.
Balance due 10 weeks before event.
GRANITE
Granite is an east facing twin or super-king bedroom that looks out across the River Lynher towards Dartmoor. This room comes with a large shared bathroom across the hallway with view out to the west and St Germans.
BOOKED
BOOKED
MOSS
Moss is a large twin or super-king room with en-suite bathroom, this is a light room with views onto the gardens. The bathroom has views across the river Lynher.
OAK
Oak is a triple, twin or super-king bedroom with en-suite large shower and bath. This room looks out onto the River Lynher to the front and rear, spend time watching the tide drift in & out from the window seat. This room comes with its own balcony with views towards Dartmoor.
BOOKED
LICHEN
Lichen is a twin or super-king ground floor bedroom with shared private shower room (shared with Gorse). This room looks out onto the River Lynher to the front and rear, and has its own entrance - spend the morning watching the boats and tide drift in & out from the window seat.
BOOKED
TIDDY
This is a twin or double bed shepherds hut with ensuite shower. Tiddy is located in the paddock nearest to the main house, and has views onto the Lynher.
BOOKED
LYNHER
This is a twin or double bed shepherds hut with ensuite shower. Lynher is located in the paddock and has sunset river views.
BOOKED
Food
Meals are relaxed and unhurried, three a day, all vegetarian, seasonal, and made by our private chef, Kimberley of Pickled Radish Feasts. Kimberley has spent her life gathering people around food, from family kitchens to supper clubs to full retreat weeks, and she brings the same warmth to Erth: proper, nourishing meals meant to be lingered over, not rushed through.
Some of the best conversations of the retreat happen around the table. Snacks, tea and coffee are available all day, and any dietary needs are taken care of, just let me know when you book.
"I felt so looked after and wasn't hungry at any point. Spending time with women was lovely, it felt like we were all supportive of each other and made me feel very safe." — Zoë
Before and After the Retreat
Change begins the moment you sign up.
Before the retreat you'll have a one-to-one video call with me, so I can get to know your needs and answer any questions.
Yoga and meditation fosters profound self-connection, and I hope you’ll leave the retreat inspired with a set of tools for ongoing practice.
After the retreat you’ll be invited to a group call (optional) to reflect on what you've learned, with space for questions and support.
What's Included:
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4 days, 3 nights stay at Erth Barton manor house.
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3 meals a day (vegetarian) and drinks (no alcohol included). Freshly prepared by our private chef; nourishing, seasonally inspired food.
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Snacks, tea & coffee available throughout the day.
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Daily mindfulness meditation.
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All yoga sessions. As minimum: arrival day 1 session. 2nd & 3rd day 2 sessions, 4th day 1 session. Suitable for complete beginners.
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Breathwork & Yoga Nidra.
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Sauna.
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Daily talks.
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Mindful walks.
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Optional coastal trip.
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Evening campfire.
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Pre-retreat 1-1 orientation call. Post retreat group integration call.
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Welcome gift.
This retreat is all about you, so you can do as much or as little as you like.
Not included:
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Travel to and from the venue.
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Travel insurance (recommended).
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River swimming is not an organised or insured activity. It's available to those who choose it, entirely at their own risk, with safety guidance provided.
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A private massage therapist is usually available on site as an optional extra.
Location & Travel.
Erth Barton lies on 300 acres of regenerative farmland, encircled by the River Lynher with views to Dartmoor lying to one side, and the village of St Germans on the other. It sits on its own Peninsula and is part of the Antony Estate and its 2000 acres of land just over the border from Devon in Cornwall. It is remote yet easily accessible by road and rail.
The venue is easily accessible by car from the M5. One hour from Exeter. If travelling by train, easiest is onward from Plymouth to Saltash, and it's a 10 minute taxi ride (we can help book). There is a direct train from London Paddington to Saltash, 3hrs 35mins.
Arriving on Thursday 15th from 3pm, we will start with a group session getting to know each other followed by supper cooked by our chef. Departure on Sunday will be at Midday.
"You're an incredible guide Louise. You made everyone feel welcome and included, and you made it look effortless! I loved how we could dip in and out of sessions if we wanted, without judgment. I managed the whole weekend without looking at my phone, or wearing a watch, which I have never done before. It felt liberating!"
Elaine Gosden, CEO Blue Gnu Consulting
About Louise
I've been a dedicated student and practitioner of yoga and meditation for over 30 years, and have been teaching since 2011. Throughout my career, I've focused on supporting women through life's many transitions, physical, emotional, and spiritual, in my roles as teacher, doula, and mentor.
I know what it costs to hold everything together for everyone else. I've done it, and I still catch myself doing it. That's part of why I teach the way I do, practical, grounded, with space to genuinely enjoy your body and feel psychologically and emotionally well. I dispel myths where needed and keep things accessible, holding past experience with care and compassion, that's such an essential part of healing. I believe in the power of community, and my classes are inclusive, welcoming, and grounded.
My teaching integrates embodied movement, mindfulness, and grounded spirituality. I'm trained in multiple yoga and somatic disciplines, including experiential anatomy, somatic strength, menopause yoga, and Restorative Yoga, and I'm a graduate of the two-year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Programme with Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield. I currently facilitate mindfulness programmes for people affected by cancer, work that's taught me a huge amount about resilience, compassion, and nervous system regulation.
I live in Surrey, UK, with my husband and dog, and am mother to four wonderful young men. I spend as much time outdoors as possible and love hiking, exploring, cooking, music, and meaningful connection.
"I am SO thrilled to have found you. Profound knowledge and practice. Deep empathy with those you seek to help. Compassionate and kind with such generosity of spirit. Nothing is too much trouble." — Maxine