Mindfulness Retreats Develop your mindful practice immersed in nature’s beauty www.sharphamtrust.org/retreats
Picture credits: The Sharpham Trust, Ella Whittlestone, Lindsay Alderton , Paul Potgieter/South Devon TV, Antony Wall, Fa Barboza on Unsplash, Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels, Jon Howell, Gary Fielder, Abbie Swift, Sharpham retreatants Browse our retreats and events: www.sharphamtrust.org/calendar Mindfulness Retreats Develop your mindful practice immersed in nature’s beauty
SharphamTrust Contents Retreat into nature 4 What to expect 6 Meditation 8 Retreats in six places 10 Growing Awareness 12 Food & drink 14 Our Retreats: 18 • Beginners’ Retreats 20 • Buddhist Retreats 21 • Burnout Retreats 22 • Canoeing Retreats 23 • Coach House Retreats 24 • Elders’ Retreats 25 • LBGTQ+ Retreats 26 • Living With Illness 27 • Men’s Retreats 30 • Seasonal Retreats 31 • Self-Compassion Retreats 32 • Singing Retreats 33 • Silent Retreats 34 • Solitary Retreats 35 • Taking Mindfulness Deeper Retreats 36 • Walking Retreats 37 • Women’s Retreats 40 • Woodland Retreats 41 • Young Persons’ Retreats 42 • Wildlife Discovery Retreats 43 • Self-guided Retreats 44 • Retreats at Home 45 • Creativity and the natural world 46 Bursaries 48 How to find us 50 Calendar 52
Retreat into nature at Sharpham When you stay on retreat with us, you’ll be surrounded by breath-taking scenery and awe-inspiring vistas. We hope you’ll turn away from the frantic and turn toward a more peaceful pace of life whilst you’re with us. 4 www.sharphamtrust.org/retreats
The Sharpham Estate, near Totnes, Devon, sits within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and we share this land with an enormous variety of flora and fauna that we invite you to explore. Our experienced, compassionate and wise retreat leaders are there to support and guide you. Daily meditation sessions, movement and mindful practices connect you to yourself and nature. We offer a variety of retreat experiences that support people new to mindfulness or help others deepen an existing practice. Welcome to Sharpham. We want to create a more mindful, compassionate and sustainable world. www.sharphamtrust.org/retreats 5
6 www.sharphamtrust.org/mindfulness
www.sharphamtrust.org/mindfulness 7 What to expect on retreat You will: • experience guided meditations, relaxation sessions, supportive group sharing and periods of silence and quiet contemplation • learn or deepen your experience of how meditation and mindfulness can support your daily life and the balance between ‘being and doing’ • be alongside like-minded people, sharing your experiences • be able to explore our tranquil Capability Brownian parkland • have a single-occupancy room and your own space in which to rejuvenate, with free time to deeply rest and reconnect with yourself, far from the busy-ness of daily life. • enjoy delicious, healthy, home-cooked vegetarian food that regularly receives rave reviews
8 www.sharphamtrust.org/which-retreat Meditation at Sharpham Here at Sharpham, we can help introduce you to mindfulness - or deepen your existing practice. For 40 years, we’ve been helping people to understand and apply mindfulness to their daily lives.
www.sharphamtrust.org/which-retreat 9 We offer retreats for the complete beginner through to the meditator who has spent years ‘on the cushion’. So don’t worry if you’ve never meditated before. We’ll support you. EXPERIENCE LEVEL Some of our retreats are themed or designed for specific needs. Others are led by teachers with a particular expertise or knowledge. Or you can steer your own meditative journey on spacious or self-guided retreats. TEACHERS AND THEMES A deep connection to nature underpins all our retreats at Sharpham, but we have offers that are especially immersed in the Great Outdoors - and that invite you to explore our certified organic estate. We offer walking retreats in Sharpham House and woodland and canoeing retreats too. You can mindfully garden and when you stay at The Barn and at our Coach House venue, where you’ll also be invited to connect with our rewilding project. NATURE CONNECTION
Our retreats in a Georgian house on a bend in the River Dart allow people to stay fullboard amid history, art and stunning nature. This Palladian villa has a mixture of rooms from the very grand to comfy singles. Many rooms are ensuite and there is an accessible room & bathroom too. The Barn is run on Buddhist principles and offers retreats lasting from three to ten nights, where you stay in community practising daily meditation and mindful garden tasks. You have your own room and the stay is full-board, but you are expected to prepare and cook food together. The Coach House opened in 2022 and offers 18 rooms - almost all ensuite - in this 18th century converted stableyard behind Sharpham House. It offers a range of weekly retreats with opportunities to connect to the land and learn about our rewilding project. SHARPHAM HOUSE RETREATS THE BARN RETREAT CENTRE COACH HOUSE RETREAT CENTRE Retreats in six places: 10 www.sharphamtrust.org/which-retreat
These take place under canvas in woodland behind Sharpham House, affording people a closer connection to nature. Our Retreats at Home support people who can’t get to an inperson Sharpham retreat. They involve a carefullycurated schedule of guided meditations, movement practices, off-screen times and nature practices. The Cabin is a hermitage in the grounds of The Barn where people can experience a solitary retreat. Food is supplied by The Barn. WOODLAND RETREATS ONLINE RETREATS SOLITARY RETREAT SPACES www.sharphamtrust.org/which-retreat 11 “The most perfect introduction to mindfulness, in an awe-inspiring setting” Sharpham retreatant
Growing Awareness We don’t have food miles, we have food metres. A lot of the organic food that you’ll eat here is grown here. 12 www.sharphamtrust.org/gardens
In fact, you’ll find that out on lots of our retreats, when you’re invited to experience mindful gardening. In doing so, you’ll be supporting the retreatants that come after you - just like previous participants did for you. www.sharphamtrust.org/gardens 13
14 www.sharphamtrust.org/food-and-drink
Food & drink at Sharpham In line with sustainable practices across the Sharpham Estate, our cooks produce high-quality, seasonal, vegetarian & vegan food for people that stay on retreat with us. Wherever possible, we source food from our kitchen gardens and we support local food suppliers too. www.sharphamtrust.org/food-and-drink 15
Food options Please tell us well in advance of your stay of any food allergies or intolerances you may have. We can’t accommodate alternative diet requests without prior agreement, but we’re happy to talk through the options open to you. However, our kitchens are not allergen-free. 16 www.sharphamtrust.org/food-and-drink
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18 www.sharphamtrust.org/retreats
www.sharphamtrust.org/retreats 19 Our retreats We have a variety of mindfulness retreats in venues across The Sharpham Estate. Depending on your needs and wants, you might choose to stay amid heritage in Sharpham House, or experience a more communal retreat at The Barn or Coach House. You might want to get closer to nature on a Woodland retreat, or spend time alone on a solitary retreat. We’ve even got online Retreats at Home for when you can’t get to us. Explore our various offers and begin planning how you’ll try a Sharpham retreat.
Beginners’ Retreats If you want to start (or re-start) a mindfulness practice, then this retreat can help show you the way. Experienced leaders will introduce you gently to the practice of meditation with guided sitting sessions, mindful walking and periods of silence. You’ll be cared for full-board in Sharpham House, with enough free time for rest and reflection. And you’ll be able to connect with nature in the very special location of the Sharpham Estate. Level: Beginner Where: Sharpham House Room: Single Stay: 3 nights Silence: Short periods Run: Monthly 20 www.sharphamtrust.org/beginners
Buddhist Retreats The Barn Retreat runs weekly throughout the year and is based on the three pillars of meditation, community and connection to the land in the Buddhist tradition. Our retreats help to develop a mindful approach to our lives, work and relationships and are led by long term residential volunteer coordinators. You’ll experience three 40-minute meditation sessions each day, outdoor walking meditation, mindful work in the organic gardens and woods and inquiry led by Buddhist teachers. Level: Any Where: The Barn Room: Single Stay: 4, 6, 10 nights Silence: Short periods Run: Weekly www.sharphamtrust.org/barn 21
22 www.sharphamtrust.org/burnout Burnout Retreats Many of us have experienced burnout and its debilitating effects on the mind and body. This retreat offers a mindful approach to burnout, helping to boost your resilience, support your life’s balance and offering practical strategies to help you say no to more stress. You’ll learn ways to recognise the early signs of burnout and skills and tools to use in your life and work. Level: Any Where: Sharpham House Room: Single Stay: 4 nights Silence: Short periods Run: Bi-Monthly
www.sharphamtrust.org/canoeing 23 Canoeing Retreats Paddling’s repetitive rhythm, and the river’s natural ebb and flow are a rich metaphor for the cultivation of mindful awareness. Experience daily canoe trips on the River Dart that are gentle and contemplative with the emphasis on nature connection. No previous experience of canoeing is required and you’ll get full support from qualified instructors, ensuring you have a safe and rewarding experience. These retreats require participants to have a reasonable level of fitness. Level: Any Where: Woodland Campsite Room: Single Bell Tent Stay: 4 nights Silence: Short periods Run: Seasonal
24 www.sharphamtrust.org/coach-house Coach House Retreats Connect with nature on a naturemindfulness & gardening retreat in The Coach House - a brand new venue in a beautifully-converted stableyard. Develop a wider ecological awareness and understanding of your place in the world as part of, rather than separate from, nature. Learn about our rewilding project from our experienced Ranger and spend time with our gardeners helping in our organic ornamental, kitchen and woodland gardens. Level: Any Where: The Coach House Room: Single Stay: 4 or 6 nights Silence: Short periods Run: Weekly
www.sharphamtrust.org/elders 25 Elders’ Retreats Spaces for accepting and finding joy in our later stages of life are rare within our culture that often celebrates youth. This retreat is such a space - where you can be in a contemplative and meditative community to recognise the joys and challenges of later life. There will be periods of sitting and walking meditation, talks and discussions, gardening, and sharing within the retreat’s community. Level: Any Where: The Barn Room: Single Stay: 6 nights Silence: Short periods Run: Annual
26 www.sharphamtrust.org/lgbtq LBGTQ+ Retreats Given the heteronormality of most spaces in our society, at times we may not be comfortable or safe showing up as our whole selves, inclusive of our sexual orientation and gender identities. This retreat provides the space to bring those parts of ourselves - within the context of a meditative Buddhist environment. Meditation can be a powerful way not only to connect to ourselves and each other, but to also explore letting go of internalised oppressions. We will join as a community, to meditate, garden, and learn from Buddhist teachers and each other. Level: Any Where: The Barn Room: Single Stay: 6 nights Silence: Short periods Run: Annual
www.sharphamtrust.org/living-with-illness 27 Living With Illness Consciously facing and grieving illness and loss is at the very centre of the spiritual path. In small and great ways, each of our losses links us to what we love, and can be pathways to slowing down, looking deeply into our experience, and fostering deep resources of kindness and self-compassion. Inspired by the work of Jon Kabat-Zinn and Kristin Neff, we will explore how practices of mindfulness and compassion can enable us to be better placed to face the demands and challenges of traversing illness. This retreat involves skilled and trained leaders who have been living with illness in recent years. Level: Any Where: The Barn Room: Single Stay: 6 nights Silence: Short periods Run: Annual
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Surrounded by natural beauty “A 5-star setting with the added bonus of really being grounded in nature” Sharpham retreatant www.sharphamtrust.org/retreats 29
30 www.sharphamtrust.org/mens-retreat Men’s Retreats This version of our popular 6-night Barn retreat is for men only (as self-identified), providing an ideal space to begin, maintain or kick-start a mindfulness practice. The Barn offers a respectful space for meditation practice, reflection and a sense of community where men (as self-identified) can experience a sense of brotherhood - supported in their own practice within a circle of men. You’ll experience regular meditation sessions each day, outdoor walking meditation, mindful work in the organic gardens and woods and inquiry. Level: Any Where: The Barn Room: Single Stay: 6 nights Silence: Short periods Run: Annual
www.sharphamtrust.org/seasons 31 Seasonal Retreats Our seasonal retreats give you the chance to be nourished by the best that Sharpham has to offer through the year. You’ll experience many of the rich threads that are woven through our programme, exploring mindful awareness through community, creativity, celebration and a deep connection to nature, yet with plenty of space for your own reflections and contemplations. You’ll also have enough free time to explore your stunning surroundings during the changing seasons on our 550-acre estate beside the River Dart. Level: Any Where: Sharpham House Room: Single Stay: 5 nights Silence: Short periods Run: Seasonal
32 www.sharphamtrust.org/compassion Self-Compassion Retreats Many people can be kind and supportive of others, whilst struggling to apply this same attitude to themselves. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in practices that cultivate self-compassion and kindness. These retreats, involving skilled and trained leaders, draw on recently-developed and evidence-backed approaches from an expanding body of research showing the positive effect such practices have on emotional well-being, selfcare, physical health and personal relationships. Level: Any Where: Sharpham & Coach House Room: Single Stay: 4 & 5 nights Silence: Short periods Run: Bi-Monthly
www.sharphamtrust.org/singing 33 Singing Retreats Singing can be uplifting, soulful and lifeenriching. And like mindfulness, singing can bring us into direct contact with our present-moment experience. You’ll be group singing, learning songs by ear (so you don’t need to read music) and experiencing the incredible acoustics of Sharpham House’s central oval stairwell. No previous experience of singing is required. Our experienced leaders will help you explore the unique practice of mindful singing as a way of fostering moment-by-moment awareness. Level: Any Where: Sharpham House Room: Single Stay: 4 nights Silence: Short periods Run: Seasonal
34 www.sharphamtrust.org/silent-retreats Silent Retreats In an increasingly frenetic world, with so many competing demands for our time and attention, these silent retreats offer a precious opportunity for spaciousness and stillness. You’ll be in a safe and supportive setting, allowing you to deepen into mindfulness practice and your experience of silence, in the tranquil setting of Sharpham Estate. These retreats are a chance to turn inward and to let go of the daily struggles that can so easily get in the way of the simplicity, freedom and joy in each present moment. Level: Non-Beginner Where: Sharpham & Coach House Room: Single Stay: 5 nights Silence: Longer periods Run: Bi-Monthly
www.sharphamtrust.org/solo 35 Solo Retreats For people who have participated in a Barn retreat, or a silent retreat elsewhere, and who are experienced meditators, we offer the opportunity for a solitary, silent, and self-sufficient retreat in The Cabin. You will stay in The Cabin close to the Upper Garden of The Barn. The Cabin contains a bed, meditation mat, wood-burning stove, Calor Gas cooking stove and cooking equipment, table and chair. There is a compost loo close by, and you can use a shower in The Barn when arranged in advance. The Cabin has running water but no electricity. Level: Non-Beginner Where: The Cabin Room: Self-contained wood cabin Stay: 6 nights Silence: Self-led Run: Weekly
36 www.sharphamtrust.org/deeper Taking Mindfulness Deeper Retreats Strengthen your existing practice at a retreat with extended periods of meditation and silence, exploration of selfcompassion, nature connection, yet with plenty of time for rest and re-plenishment. This retreat is ideal for anyone who has been on a retreat previously, either at Sharpham or another retreat venue, or undertaken an 8-week Mindfulness Course. This retreat is an opportunity to sustain your mindfulness practice, consolidating the skills and techniques you’ve already learnt and deepening your knowledge and experience of moment-by-moment awareness. Level: Non-Beginner Where: Sharpham House Room: Single Stay: 5 nights Silence: Longer periods Run: Seasonal
www.sharphamtrust.org/walking 37 Walking Retreats Connect with yourself and nature as you walk on the beautiful Sharpham Estate. Increasing your mindful awareness will bring added appreciation to your walking and to the landscape. This retreat also offers the chance to experience practices which include slow walking and walking without an objective, increased time for nature observation and walking as a tool for personal reflection and contemplation. Level: Any Where: Sharpham House Room: Single Stay: 4 nights Silence: Short periods Run: Seasonal
38 www.sharphamtrust.org/reviews “Did the Beginner’s secular mindfulness retreat and 100 per cent recommend it. You can tell these guys have been doing this for a long time - the programme is crafted with care and balance, and runs smooth as the river it overlooks. Genuinely compassionate and good-humoured retreat leaders. Gorgeous food. Woodland and hills setting. Balance of movement and stillness. Several repeat retreaters were there, which tells you something. You could easily do this same beginner’s retreat as a yearly practice of self-love and get something new from it” Caroline, reviewing a Sharpham House retreat on Google
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40 www.sharphamtrust.org/womens-retreats Women’s Retreats We offer retreats for women (as self-identified) at The Barn Retreat and the Woodland Campsite. These retreats offer a respectful space for meditation practice, reflection and a respectful sense of community. Women can experience a sense of sisterhood - supported in their own practice within a circle of women staying within the natural beauty and spaciousness of the Sharpham Estate. Level: Any Where: Barn & Woodland Room: Single room or Bell Tent Stay: 3 or 6 nights Silence: Short periods Run: Annually
www.sharphamtrust.org/woodland-retreats 41 Woodland Retreats Experience mindfulness meditation and a transformative connection to nature – in an incredible woodland setting far from life’s frantic pace. Sharpham Woodland Retreat participants speak of feelings of gratitude, wonder, calm, self-insight and positive emotions afterwards. This retreat gives you the chance to feel more fully alive and ‘in your skin’ – experiencing yourself as part of the natural world rather than separate. A return to nature as your true home. Level: Any Where: The Woodland Campsite Room: Single Bell Tent Stay: 3 or 5 nights Silence: Short periods Run: Seasonal
42 www.sharphamtrust.org/youngpersons Young Persons’ Retreats These retreats are an opportunity for young people to come together and practice mindfulness in community. On these retreats, you’ll have the opportunity to reflect on your lives as young people in the world, bringing mindfulness into our everyday lives, into our relationships and into hopes for the future. Practising together we can discover new sources of peace and well-being and enjoy the beautiful nature of the Sharpham Estate. Level: Any Where: Barn & Coach House Room: Single Stay: 4-6 nights Silence: Short periods Run: Annually
www.sharphamtrust.org/wildlife-discovery 43 Wildlife Discovery Retreats This retreat lets you get close to wildlife on the Sharpham Estate and reconnect with the natural world through mindfulness practice. Sharpham is managed organically and we have been actively rewilding for the last few years, leading to increased wildlife across the estate. You’ll have the chance to experience the wonder of insects, butterflies, wildflowers, birds and mammals that are making Sharpham their home. You’ll spend time with wildlife experts exploring the habitats and species across the estate. Level: Any Where: The Coach House Room: Single Stay: 6 nights Silence: Short periods Run: Seasonally
44 www.sharphamtrust.org/self-guided Self-guided Retreats Self-guided retreats offer you the chance to stay at Sharpham and design and structure your own retreat rather than following a group retreat schedule. Perhaps you’re looking for a digital detox and the chance to step away from your digital devices, or maybe you’re an artist looking for some time away to meditate and focus on your work. If you love spending time in nature and would like some time out from your busy life, where day-to-day needs such as food are catered for, this retreat is for you. Level: Experienced Where: Sharpham House Room: Single Stay: 4 nights Silence: Lots Run: Annually
www.sharphamtrust.org/online 45 Retreats at Home These are online retreats and enable you to connect to Sharpham’s teachings and guidance even if you can’t get here. Each Retreat at Home is held by experienced leaders and coordinators and you’ll be invited to connect and share with a small community. These retreats take place on Zoom and are a gentle and low-cost way to begin a relationship with Sharpham’s mindfulness teachings. Level: Any Where: Online Room: N/A Stay: 1 and 2 days Silence: very short periods Run: Bi-monthly
Creativity and the natural world This retreat offers an opportunity to access your creativity and imagination through a unique blend of mindfulness and nature connection. Together we will experience present moment awareness using different creative mediums including visual arts, creative writing, movement, song and more… Be playful and open to exploring your creative spirit! This isn’t about being an expert. And you’ll be in an inspirational natural setting, so let Nature prompt your creative ideas. Level: Any Where: Coach House Room: Single Stay: 4 nights Silence: Short periods Run: Annually 46 www.sharphamtrust.org/creativity
www.sharphamtrust.org/barn 47 “The views from The Barn are awesome in any direction. If you would like to find a place to retreat and meditate with like-minded people in a safe and loving community, The Barn’s the place” Barn retreatant
Bursaries The Sharpham Trust offers limited bursaries to those who would otherwise be unable to afford to attend a retreat. These are usually 50% and are given on a first come, first served basis. 48 www.sharphamtrust.org/low-income
Donations: Donating to our Bursary Fund is a wonderful way to express generosity and to enable those on a low income to attend our courses and retreats. You can donate when you book online or you can use the link below. www.sharphamtrust.org/donate 49
SHARPHAM HOUSE THE BARN River Dart 50 www.sharphamtrust.org/find-us Where we are Our locations on the Sharpham Estate PLACES OF INTEREST: 1 Ashprington Parish Church 2 Sharpham Meadow Natural Burial Ground 3 Bathing House 4 North Quay 5 Lower Sharpham Barton Farm 6 Sit-spot: Green Oak Bench 7 Sit-spot: Reed beds 8 Rewilding at Sharpham The Carriage Drive - cycling/walking route from Totnes to Sharpham 1 3 W S B