3 Day Yoga & Ayurveda Wellness Escape in Herefordshire, UK

The retreat takes place at Plantation Villa, a branch of an award-winning Sri Lankan retreat centre. The UK home is Ruxton Farm, a 17th-century farmhouse set on 14 acres in the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with the River Wye on its doorstep. The setting is genuinely beautiful—rolling Herefordshire countryside, a veggie garden, orchard, flower patches, and meadows. Inside, it's a cosy, lived-in farmhouse with a lounge and library for quiet reading or chatting with other guests.

A typical day starts with Buddhist chanting in the Buddha Hall, followed by a therapeutic yoga class, a big Ayurvedic breakfast, and then a morning workshop or talk. After lunch, there's another yoga class, then an afternoon activity like a guided nature walk, cookery class, or Ayurveda talk. Evenings wind down with yoga nidra, guided meditation, or a sound bath. In between, you're free to use the bikes, swim in the river, or book an Ayurvedic massage with Dr. Pooja, a qualified Ayurvedic doctor who does full Panchakarma treatments.

The teaching is rooted in the Krishnamacharya tradition—several instructors trained directly with Srivatsa Ramaswami, who studied with Krishnamacharya himself. Laura, who leads much of the yoga, did her 200-hour training in Bali and spent nearly a year teaching at the Sri Lanka villa. Liz Turner has been practising for over 20 years and combines yoga therapy with Ayurvedic lifestyle consulting. The monk, Ven. Bhante, drops by two or three times a year for talks and meditation sessions.

Food is a big part of the experience. All meals are freshly cooked in the farmhouse kitchen, blending local British produce with Sri Lankan recipes—think dhal, curries, and rice dishes. They're fully vegetarian, gluten-free, and free from refined sugar. There's even a cookbook. And if you're lucky, you can buy the vegan ice cream they make themselves, which at least one reviewer raved about.

Reviews consistently mention the peaceful location, the quality of the teaching, and the food. 'The location, accommodation and programme itself is amazing! The teachers were brilliant and the schedule itself is enough to make you feel relaxed and rejuvenated,' wrote one guest. Another, who came after losing her husband, said the retreat gave her 'space to get back to a feeling of calm' and helped her restart her yoga practice. It works for beginners too—skill levels span beginner to advanced, and the staff adapt.

What's included

- 2 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, and other guided practices) - Daily afternoon activities (cookery classes, walking meditation, Ayurveda talks, Buddhist talks) - Daily evening activities to relax before bedtime (Yoga Nidra, guided meditation, sound bath) - Free bike rental and luggage storage - On-site parking - Wifi connection - Access to 14 acres of land (veggie garden, orchard, flower patches, meadows) - Online support team post-retreat

What's not included

- Airport transfers - Additional spa treatments - Flights or travel costs - Travel insurance - Visa fees