In recent years, there has been a noticeable shift towards better health and wellness for all. As a society, we have steered away from tolerating stress or poor health as standard, and demanded better wellness in every aspect of our lives - whether it be diet, relationships, work or general mental health.

There has, consequently, been a surge in demand for wellness retreats within the UK. In fact, this increase has been a staggering 1,605% in the last five years – including an 81% increase in 2020 – despite lockdown. Why? Because wellness retreats are the perfect opportunity to gain better all-round health - physically, mentally and spiritually. Here at High Trenhouse we’ve seen a similar uprise in clients running health and wellness retreats at our facilities. In fact, so much so that we’ve tailored our facilities to accommodate more for these types of retreats.

If you’re asking the question ‘how do I organise a health and wellness retreat?’ then you’re in luck. There are a number of ways you can make this a truly wholesome success.

Align the Retreat With Your Goals

When planning a wellness retreat not only your goals but the goals and intentions of your clients should be at the front of your mind. In this day and age where health and wellness are so important to so many organisations and individuals, you’ll be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t see the value of the retreat in some shape or form. But, all the same, you should be focusing on the desired outcome.

 - What does your client want to achieve?
 - Are the goals achievable through a wellness event?
 - What specific tasks and activities will help you reach these goals?

For example, if your overarching goal is an improved sense of relaxation and calm, what can you do step-by-step to facilitate this?

As a starting point, make a list of goals you and your clients want to achieve. Then, plan your agenda.

Plan Your Daily Agenda Out Thoroughly

No health and wellness retreat will be memorable unless your schedule is airtight. Any stress caused by unaligned goals, distracted attendees and general chaos isn’t going to lend itself well to good mental health. The more prepared you are, the more your clients can focus on the tasks at hand and of course, the relaxation involved throughout.

What’s the best way to organise a workshop agenda? Firstly, keep in mind how different people learn. Some will benefit from taking regular breaks to decompress and to consider everything they’ve just heard or learned. Whilst others may benefit from a faster paced and more intense form of learning. Knowing who your clients are on a deeper level prior to planning your retreat will of course help you to do so. Ensure that you involve some relaxing breaks regardless. Whether that be a walk around local gardens or something as luxurious as a massage. Your clients will appreciate the respite from the workshop and despite spending less time learning, they’ll actually be more refreshed and motivated to keep going.

Timing is Everything

Too much time at the retreat can leave a lot of space to fill, which may not always be in the best interest of your clients. Similarly, a crammed weekend can leave people feeling overwhelmed and certainly not as relaxed as intended. Therefore, think carefully about how much time you need. Factor in breaks, sleep, recreation, meals and preparation time. It can help to make several versions of a calendar and decide which one looks the most appealing and achievable.

You might be wondering however, if packing your schedule too tight might have an adverse effect on your clients. One way to alleviate a lot of that pressure is in choosing a location with a lot to do in your clients downtime. Whether that be walking, enjoying nature, meditating or networking.

Listing Resources

What (or who) you bring with you depends entirely on the goals and activities outlined above. For example, if you believe that yoga or other physical exercise activities are important for your retreat, do you yourself possess the skills to lead this type of activity? If not, do you need to invite a yoga instructor to attend the workshop? And if so, when and for how long? What physical resources do you need? Make a list and don’t leave anything off. You can then cross reference this list with your chosen venue to see if they provide anything for you.

Finding the Right Location for Your Retreat

Location is everything when it comes to running a health and wellness retreat. There’s a certain level of delicacy that comes with choosing the perfect place for your event. You want somewhere luxurious that conjures images of quality and relaxation. Which means not just any roadside venue is going to suffice.

At High Trenhouse, we’ve been hosting environmentally friendly wellness retreats in the Yorkshire Dales since the 1980’s. Surrounded by stunning landscapes, we’ve seen many guests visit us and leave refreshed. Our 21 bedroom converted farmhouse has all the facilities you need to run a fully catered, successful event. From a sauna and dining area to two fully stocked bars and conferencing facilities. What’s more, our staff are on hand to support you with any questions or needs you or your clients might have during your stay with us.

We’re often asked ‘how much does it cost to run a workshop at your venue?’. Of course, finding the right location for your retreat does mean paying the associated cost. So it’s essential that you set an appropriate budget for your health and wellness retreat, accounting for all elements, and work around that.

High Trenhouse For You and Your Clients

If your clients are looking for a wellness retreat that allows them to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, immersing themselves in the finest scenery in Britain, we may have the place for you. High Trenhouse is located in the unspoiled upland landscape of the Yorkshire Dales with access to not only the most beautiful views, but everything you need to run your wellness retreat. With our modern conference rooms, dining rooms, sauna and bar, your clients will never forget the time they spent on your wellness retreat.

Whether there are two guests or 28, our facilities are designed to ensure that you and your clients have everything you need for the perfect retreat. Get in touch with us to find out more about running your next event.