Bespoke Private Fitness & Wellbeing Retreat in the Kent Countryside

Stede Court Private Fitness Retreat is a bespoke retreat based in a country house in the Kent countryside, run by personal trainer Kathryn Freeland. It's designed for individuals or small private groups of up to six, so there's no set group programme you have to fit into — Kathryn builds the week around who's actually there.

A typical day might start with strength work or personal training in the outdoor circuit area or on the yoga decking, followed by breakfast. The food is gut-healthy and cooked by Kathryn herself — guests often mention the bircher muesli, which one reviewer's children now eat at home. Afternoons can include yoga, mindfulness or relaxation practices, cold water swimming in the swimming pond, sauna sessions, or treatments such as massage and reflexology. Exercise is pitched to your level: one guest described getting a really good workout without anyone yelling "feel the burn" at her, while another noted that if you wanted a bootcamp, Kathryn would oblige.

What separates this from a larger retreat is the one-to-one attention and the fact that you're the only group there. Kathryn has over 20 years' experience as a personal trainer, was one of London's top trainers, and ran Absolute Fitness for 15 years with 17 trainers before moving back to Kent in 2016 and launching the retreat a few years later. She's been listed as an A-List Personal Trainer by The Times, named in the Mail on Sunday as one of the world's most sought-after trainers, and featured in the Evening Standard's Top Five Hot List and London Magazine's Ultimate Personal Trainer list. She's also worked as a fitness expert for Boots magazine and written weekly columns for the Telegraph, Sainsbury's magazine and Spirit & Destiny.

The location is rural Kent, accessible from London and the south east by both train and car. The property has an outdoor circuit area, yoga decking and a swimming pond, all set in private grounds. Because the group is small, the atmosphere is quiet and unhurried — you can do as much or as little as you want, and Kathryn adjusts the plan day by day.

The retreat is aimed at people who want to recharge and rebalance physically and mentally, and who want ongoing support afterwards if they need it to maintain a healthier lifestyle. It's not a party retreat or a large-group bootcamp; it's a private, tailored stay where the exercise, food and downtime are all matched to the people in the house.

What's included

- Accommodation in a private country house in the Kent countryside - Gut-healthy meals cooked by Kathryn - Personal training sessions - Yoga and strength work - Outdoor circuit training - Mindfulness and relaxation practices - Cold water swimming in the swimming pond - Sauna sessions - Sleep and stress management guidance - Access to yoga decking and outdoor circuit area - Bespoke programme tailored to your fitness level - Ongoing support after the retreat if needed

What's not included

- Massage and reflexology treatments (available at extra cost) - Travel to and from the retreat - Travel insurance - Personal expenses - Alcohol (unless arranged separately)