Rest and be supported by the beautiful setting of Sharpham House at Christmas-time.

Escape the frantic festive season for a Christmas that gives you the present: space and time for yourself.

This retreat offers meditation, optional yoga sessions and plenty of free time to rest and connect with nature – at a time that’s usually associated with consumerism, stress and busy-ness.

The leaders of this retreat – drawn from our wide pool of experienced leaders – will help you to develop and extend your mindful experience.

Read on for more details on this retreat and click the Leaders, Schedules and Venue & Directions tabs above for further information.

A Christmas with peace and silence

This retreat is for you if you:

• want a Christmas that is peace-filled, tranquil and contemplative
• are prepared to experience a Christmas Day in nourishing silence
• are aged 18 and above

We regret that this retreat is not suitable for couples.

The Christmas retreat programme includes 3 daily meditation sessions and optional yoga with periods of silence to help strengthen the practice.

Christmas Day will be spent in silence.

During this retreat, there will be question-and-answer sessions and guidance in bringing mindfulness, compassion, joy and equanimity into daily life.

There will be a maximum of 32 participants on this retreat – with the opportunity to share rooms or choose single occupancy rooms. Click here to view Costs and Rooms

There are periods of silence on each of our retreats.

Because Sharpham House is a Grade 1-listed mansion (with limits to the changes we are allowed to make to the building), few bedrooms come with an en-suite bathroom and toilet. There are shared bathrooms on every floor.

What you’ll experience on this retreat:

During this retreat you’ll:

• practice guided and non-guided meditations, exploring and developing mindfulness in the supportive company of others with time for discussion and personal practice
• be living in safe community with like-minded people, sharing experiences and tasks, including the washing-up
• be able to explore our tranquil Capability Brown-designed parkland and our Grade 2*-listed gardens designed by Percy Cane
• have a chance to select either single-occupancy rooms for your own space, or share rooms at a smaller cost. Click here to explore our rooms
• enjoy delicious, healthy, home-cooked vegetarian food that regularly receives rave reviews and have access to 24-hour hot teas, coffee & infusions in our Toasting Room
• have relaxation sessions and free time to deeply rest and reconnect with yourself, far from the usual busy-ness of the Christmas period.
• be cared for full-board in a Grade 1-listed Georgian House surrounded by history and art, with staff looking after you, in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty close to nature, amid breath-taking scenery on the banks of the River Dart
• experience periods of silence and quiet contemplation, including a whole day of silence on Christmas Day

Mindfulness in nature at Sharpham

When you experience Sharpham’s inspiring and nourishing environment, we hope you’ll connect spiritually with the natural world, so you’ll:

• become aware of how we are all part of nature – not artificially separate from it
• pay attention to and appreciate the natural world surrounding us
• explore nature through your senses and your natural creativity
• Tread more lightly on our finite planet, developing a respect and reverence for all living things

Click here to read our ethos and principles

What might you bring?

If you decide to stay with us, we’ll send you a list of what you need to bring for this retreat in your Welcome Letter. But you might consider the following:

• Comfy clothes for meditation, movement and relaxation
• Slippers (we supply some, but you might prefer your own)
• A journal or notepad if you want to write or draw during your time here
• Walking boots – we have wonderful footpaths and routes to explore
• Running gear if you’re a jogger. Some participants love to run on the lanes and footpaths near Sharpham

Find out more about staying in Sharpham House on our Frequently Asked Questions page

Our food & your dietary needs

The retreat is full-board with delicious home-cooked vegetarian food.

In line with sustainable practices across the Estate, our cooks produce seasonal, vegetarian food for our guests. We source food whenever possible from our kitchen garden and support local food suppliers. The Estate’s farm tenants produce award-winning wine and cheese as well as organic eggs, meat and vegetables.

We are used to accommodating a wide range of dietary needs including wheat-free, diary-free, vegan etc. Please indicated on your booking form if you have such a need. The booking form is sent as a link once you’ve booked and paid for a retreat.

Your physical and mental health

This retreat is suitable for you if you are new to mindfulness, or seeking to renew or reconnect with your practice.

Although meditation and mindfulness can be helpful in managing stress, depression and anxiety our retreats might not be suitable if you are experiencing major depression or other clinically diagnosed psychiatric illness such as bipolar disorder, psychosis or current self-harming. Click here for more information and for our booking process

We have an accessible en-suite bedroom The Clare Milne Room – click here for details on how to book this room

If you have a medical condition that requires you to have an en-suite room, please contact our Programme Administrator Louisa Potter on the number below as these rooms are limited and are bookable on a first-come first-served basis.

A beautiful, restful place – perfect at any time of the year, but Christmas felt very special