3 Day Ayurvedic Wellness & Yoga Escape in the Wye Valley

Plantation Villa in Herefordshire is the UK branch of a retreat centre that's been running in Sri Lanka since 2012 and has won awards as one of Asia's best holistic wellness retreats. The UK outpost sits in Ruxton Farm, a rustic 17th-century farmhouse with 14 acres of gardens and the River Wye at the bottom of the field. What makes it special is the authenticity – this isn't a generic wellness weekend. The team has over a decade of experience in Eastern practices, and the schedule is built around actual Ayurvedic and Buddhist principles.

Your days have a structure to them, but it's a gentle one. Mornings start with Buddhist chanting in the Buddha Hall, followed by two yoga classes with experienced teachers – often Laura, who's trained in Vinyasa Krama with the Ramaswami lineage, or Liz, who follows Krishnamacharya's tradition. Afternoons bring workshops where you actually learn things: how to cook Ayurvedic food, how to do walking meditation, what the philosophy behind the practices means for daily life. Evenings are about settling down – yoga nidra, guided meditation, a sound bath.

There's also the life coaching side. The retreat includes a personalised life coaching consultation, which sounds formal but is really a conversation about what you want to change and how to make small, practical shifts when you're home. You can add on Ayurvedic treatments with Dr Pooja, their in-house doctor, including a full Abhyanga massage or a consultation to understand your dosha.

The best part might be the ethos. Plantation Villa is a social enterprise – over 50% of profits go to The Metta Trust charity, which supports underprivileged communities in Sri Lanka. Your stay genuinely helps fund education and healthcare there. That sense of purpose runs through the whole place, from the organic veggie garden to the community feel. If you're coming to work on yourself, you're also doing something good for others.

What's included

- 2 nights accommodation in a beautiful countryside farmhouse - 3 daily delicious and nutritious Ayurvedic meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - 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, Buddhist talks - Daily evening activities: Yoga Nidra, guided meditation, sound bath - Option to choose a doctor's consultation or full-body Abhyanga massage - Free bike rental (one-time hire) - Free access to online courses on Ayurvedic lifestyle, yoga, and meditation - Free luggage storage and on-site parking - Wifi connection - Access to 14 acres of grounds including veggie garden, orchard, and meadows

What's not included

- Flights and airport transfers - Travel insurance - Additional treatments (massages, consultations) beyond the included option - Optional extras such as life coaching sessions - Transport to and from the retreat