This summer is shaping up nicely, with an abundance of sunny days and late nights on the beach drinking rose until dusk!
However, there is always room to overdo things, and now is always a good time for a re-set – which is why I booked into an ESMR at the gorgeous Whitfield House in Kent. Arriving on a hot Friday afternoon, a taxi was waiting for me at the station as I was whisked through the stunning scenery that makes up the Garden of England, which thoroughly set the scene for the imminent retreat.
I say retreat, it was actually more like a group of friends in a very swish farmhouse, having a very jolly time! There was nothing remotely detox and nothing was disallowed! In fact, eating well and drinking alcohol was actively encouraged – thanks to the private chef who came to make a delicious Moroccan dinner on the first night and our fresher than fresh breakfasts which were shared, seated together at long wooden tables; one evening we were educated on the local English wine led by a passionate sommelier who introduced us to nearby vineyards. Another night we were taken to a farm to table tasting menu which consisted of seven mini courses of locally sourced delights.
Along with morning yoga in the fully equipped studio – with views to die for, the small class allowed personal instruction and the time to release and stretch ourselves. Guided breathwork and time to play ensured that we didn’t take ourselves too seriously, and all left refreshed. The same could be said for the HIIT workouts – although the thought didn’t initially fill me with delight, the class brought lots of laughter, heat and energy under the watchful eye of the PT. So much so, I even signed up for the final class on Sunday – which set me up with some new moves.
Having arrived at this calm hideaway, I was looking forward to some down time in the hammock – and although my bedroom had twin beds, it felt like a private sanctuary as I could make it my own. Comfy beds, a dressing gown and fluffy towels added an extra layer of luxe in the bedroom, and there were plenty of nooks to enjoy catching up on a good book if you didn’t want to be sociable!
However, if you were feeling sociable, it was good to know that the other solo travellers were here for the same reason – to enjoy some “me” time and make new friends. I also loved the fact no one needed makeup, phones or pretended to be sociable when really they just wanted to go to bed!
And then, I must mention the stunning (and very welcome) outdoor pool complete with loungers, indoor infrared sauna complete with ice shower, shady hammocks and pond with rowing boat, all accessible for guests; the setting was out of this world and the perfect place to relax and re-set. The village with its cafe and pub was a ten minute walk away, but you could take things at your own pace.
Though I arrived not knowing anyone, I left with friendships that felt lifelong. There’s something about shared vulnerability—moving, laughing, eating, reflecting—that weaves connection effortlessly. EMSR creates not just a retreat, but a container for honest, soulful human experiences – thoughtfully crafted by the Eat Move Sleep Retreat team, led by Rachele Gilman and Shay Howard who ensured that there was plenty of time allocated to watch a sunset, taste your food, look people in the eyes – even ponder a beetle as it crosses your path!
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