10-Day Ayurvedic Weight Loss and Wellness Retreat in Hereford, UK

The 10-day program is structured around four pillars: nutrition, fitness, mindset, and self-care. You'll have a personal consultation with the in-house Ayurvedic doctor on arrival, get weighed and measured, and receive a treatment plan tailored to your dosha (body type). Fitness trainer-led classes happen three times a week, and you're given a personal workout plan to follow for the rest of your stay. The yoga is therapeutic rather than athletic, taught in the Krishnamacharya tradition, which adapts poses to your body rather than forcing your body to match the pose.

Afternoons rotate through practical workshops: cookery classes in the farm kitchen, walking meditation along the river, talks on Ayurvedic nutrition and Buddhist philosophy, and guided meditations. There's also time for spa treatments—Ayurvedic massages are available for an extra charge—or just wandering the gardens and picking vegetables for dinner. The retreat takes place year-round, and the schedule is flexible enough that you can opt out of an activity if you'd rather nap or read in the library.

What makes this retreat stand out from other weight-loss programs is the depth of the teaching. The team includes Ishara, the founder who has practiced Buddhist meditation for eight years; Liz, a yoga teacher trained in the Krishnamacharya lineage who also works as an Ayurvedic lifestyle consultant; and Dr. Pooja, a qualified Ayurvedic doctor who carries out Panchakarma treatments. Because the retreat center is small, you get a lot of individual attention, and the staff remember your name and your dietary preferences by day two.

Location matters here. Ruxton Farm sits in the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and much of the week is spent outdoors—whether that's a guided walk to the river, cycling on the quiet country lanes (bikes are free to borrow), or sitting on the terrace with a herbal tea looking out over rolling fields. The farmhouse itself is rustic rather than luxurious, but the rooms are high-standard, with en-suite bathrooms and views of the countryside. It's the kind of place where you can switch off properly because there's nowhere you need to be and nothing you need to do.

The retreat also supports a social mission: the profits are directed to The Metta Trust, so by booking you're contributing to community projects, reforestation, and wildlife conservation. It's a small thing but it adds a feel-good layer to the whole experience.

What's included

- 9 nights accommodation in a beautiful countryside farmhouse - 3 daily delicious and nutritious Ayurvedic meals - Daily Buddhist chanting in the peaceful Buddha Hall - Two daily therapeutic yoga classes with experienced teachers - Daily meditation classes (breath meditation, loving-kindness, guided practices) - Daily afternoon activities: cookery classes, walking meditation, Ayurveda talks, etc. - Personalized consultations with coach on arrival and departure - Full body measurements and weight checks - 4 sessions of fitness training - Free bike rental - Luggage storage - On-site parking - Wifi connection - 14 acres of land to explore (garden, orchard, meadows)

What's not included

- Airport transfers - Additional treatments (e.g., Ayurvedic massage, life coaching) - Transport - Travel insurance - Personal expenses