Weight Loss and Holistic Fitness Retreat in Dorset, UK

This FitFarms retreat runs from a set of converted stone cottages just outside Charmouth, a seaside village on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset. You're close enough to walk to the beach, and the surrounding countryside is laced with footpaths that the retreat uses for its daily guided hikes. The location is deliberately quiet and rural, which suits a week focused on health and routine.

The daily schedule is full but not punishing. There's a wake-up workout before breakfast, a long countryside walk mid-morning, then a mix of workshops and classes through the afternoon: a fat-burning and food-relationship workshop, Pilates, a mindset and wellbeing session, and a strength and conditioning class. All sessions are adjusted to your fitness level, and the instructors are used to working with people who haven't exercised in years as well as those who're reasonably fit.

The food is a big part of the program. Meals are cooked on site with an emphasis on balanced macros, and the kitchen handles allergies, intolerances, and preferences like vegan, vegetarian, halal, and gluten-free if you tell them in advance. You'll also get a nutrition questionnaire and a Mind Coaching workshop, so food is treated as much about behaviour as fuel.

FitFarms has been featured on BBC and Channel 4 and has worked with the NHS. The course director is Stephen Cole, a health chef and personal trainer who started out coaching squash in Denmark and later worked at the Chelsea Harbour Club in London. The wider team includes yoga and Pilates instructors, a dance teacher, a nutritionist, a mind coach, and a massage therapist, all of whom work across the different FitFarms sites.

The retreat runs Friday to Friday, and you can book a shared room or a private single. There's free parking right outside the cottages, and if you arrive by train, the team will pick you up from Dorchester South station.

What's included

- 7 nights accommodation - 3 daily delicious and nutritious meals - Water, tea, coffee served throughout the day - Specialized workshops covering mindset, lifestyle and nutrition - Tailored exercise regime - Group excursions/activities - Nature hikes with a trusted guide - Top of the range gym, pool and sauna - Pre and post retreat support from our team - Transportation during the retreat - Parking - Wifi connection

What's not included

- Flights costs - Travel insurance - Visa fee - Additional treatments - Additional activities not included in the itinerary