3 Day Holistic Yoga, Mindfulness & Ayurveda Wellness Escape

Plantation Villa runs this retreat from Ruxton Farm, a 17th-century farmhouse in the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It's a social enterprise—over half of the profits go to The Metta Trust, which supports underprivileged communities in Sri Lanka—so your stay directly funds education, healthcare, and conservation projects.

The programme is built around a daily rhythm. Mornings start with Buddhist chanting in the Buddha Hall, followed by a therapeutic yoga class. Afternoons are given over to a rotating set of workshops—cookery classes using Ayurvedic principles, walking meditation by the river, talks on Ayurveda and Buddhist philosophy, and guided sitting practice. Evenings wind down with Yoga Nidra, sound baths, or group meditation. Mondays and Thursdays often feature the resident monk, who's in residence two to three times a year and gives talks on Buddhist philosophy and happiness.

The teaching team is strong. Laura, a certified yoga teacher with over a decade of practice, leads Vinyasa Krama classes influenced by the Krishnamacharya lineage. Liz Turner, a 20-year practitioner, teaches in the same tradition and is also an Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultant. Ishara, the founder, guides meditation with a focus on the mind and its habits, and Dr. Pooja Amin, the Head Ayurveda Doctor, handles consultations and Panchakarma treatments. This is a place with genuine expertise behind the retreat structure.

The setting is the real draw. The farmhouse sits on 14 acres of gardens, veggie patches, and meadows, with the River Wye running past. There's a library, a lounge, and a yoga shala, plus a spa for Ayurvedic treatments. It's a working farm, so you'll likely meet Mr. Percy the cat, who has free rein of the place and is very friendly unless you have allergies—best to check with the team before booking if you do.

What's included

- 2 nights accommodation in a beautiful countryside farmhouse - 3 daily delicious and nutritious Ayurvedic meals - Start the day with buddhist chanting in the peaceful Buddha Hall - Two daily therapeutic yoga classes with our experienced yoga teachers - Daily meditation classes (learn breath meditation, loving-kindness and other guided practices) - Daily Afternoon Activities to teach you different home methods for wellbeing: e.g. Cookery Classes, Walking Meditation in Nature, Ayurveda Talks, Buddhist Talks - Daily Evening Activities to relax before bedtime E.g. Yoga Nidra, Guided Meditation, Sound Bath - Free Bike Rental and Luggage storage - On-site Parking - Wifi connection - Sustain your health and wellbeing long after your stay with our online support team of expert practitioners - A cosy and tranquil lounge and library space to study, self-reflect or connect with other guests - 14 acres of land to explore, including our veggie garden, orchard, flower patches and meadows - Over 50% of our surplus goes to helping underprivileged communities in Sri Lanka

What's not included

- Additional treatments (e.g. Ayurvedic massage, life coaching, doctor consultation) - Transport to and from the retreat - Travel insurance - Personal expenses