Forest Coastal Escape

Forest Coastal Escape is a three-night yoga and wellbeing retreat on the Pembrokeshire coast in West Wales, hosted by Forest Retreats. It suits anyone who wants a few days of yoga, time in nature, rest and good company, with breathwork, meditation and sound healing woven in. The retreat is based at Forest Retreats in Barbadoes, Pembrokeshire.

What to Expect

The retreat brings together yoga, meditation, breathwork and sound healing over three nights, with time set aside for relaxation and for meeting the other guests. The coast and the surrounding countryside shape the days, and the emphasis is on nature, nourishment and meaningful connection rather than a packed programme. A sauna and spa are part of the stay, and the food is locally sourced.

Forest Retreats describes its approach as nourishing and restorative. Guests who have joined the weekend retreats describe sessions that balance movement with relaxation, with Yin and Yang yoga, a gong bath and massage among the things they remember. Those details come from their experience of the wider Forest Retreats programme, so the exact timetable for this coastal retreat may differ.

About Hayley Court

Hayley Court founded Forest Retreats in 2015 and has been running yoga and wellbeing retreats for around ten years. She is an advanced yoga teacher and holistic therapist, and her retreats have been recommended by The Guardian on four separate occasions. Guests often describe her as technically skilled yet kind and helpful, and many return for further stays. Besides West Wales, she has led retreats in Spain and at Hill Farm in Tintern, overlooking the Wye Valley.

The Setting

This retreat takes place on the Pembrokeshire coast, a change from the woodland of Hill Farm where Forest Retreats usually gathers. Meals use locally sourced food, and guests at other Forest Retreats weekends have praised the cooking, which is vegetarian at the weekend retreats. The organizer does not say whether this retreat's menu is vegetarian, so ask about dietary needs when you book. A spa and sauna are included in the offering.

Before You Go

Hayley's yoga is described by past guests as well pitched for all abilities, so you do not need to be an experienced practitioner. Forest Retreats has a long record of welcoming people who come alone and leave having met others, sometimes from far afield. If you have particular dietary requirements, mention them in advance, as the team has a record of catering for them on its other retreats.