New Year Day Retreat

This New Year Day Retreat is a one-day wellness retreat of yoga, spa time and locally sourced food, held in the woods at Hill Farm, near Tintern. It suits anyone who wants to start the year gently, with loving intentions and proper rest after a busy Christmas period. It is hosted by Hayley Court of Forest Retreats, an experienced yoga teacher and holistic therapist who has been running retreats for a decade.

What to Expect

The day is built around two ideas: setting loving intentions for the new year, and honouring the rest you need after the festive season. Yoga is at the heart of it, led by Hayley in the farm's yoga studio, which looks out over the surrounding countryside through patio doors. Past guests describe her sessions as well pitched for all abilities, with a good balance between movement and relaxation.

Alongside the yoga, the day includes time in the spa and meals made with locally sourced ingredients. Guests of Forest Retreats often mention the food, and Sam, who cooks for the retreats, is praised for the meals served across a weekend. The atmosphere is unhurried and quiet, a day nestled in nature rather than a packed schedule.

About Hayley Court

Hayley Court founded Forest Retreats in 2015 and has run yoga and wellbeing retreats for ten years. She is an advanced yoga teacher and a holistic therapist, and her retreats have been recommended by The Guardian on four separate occasions, including as one of its top 10 wellbeing retreats in the UK. Her teaching includes flow, yin and restorative yoga. Guests describe her as technically skilled yet kind and helpful, and many return year after year.

The Setting

Hill Farm sits in a 12 acre woodland above Tintern, with views of the Wye Valley river and Tintern Abbey. It is an eco retreat centre, with a wood fired eco spa, and the yoga studio is equipped with mats, blocks and straps. Guests have called the farm idyllic and peaceful. One visitor mentions that it is about 45 minutes from Bristol on a good run, and the drive up through the countryside is part of the pleasure.

Before You Go

You do not need to be an experienced yogi. Hayley's sessions are described by guests as suitable for all abilities, and the studio provides the equipment you will use. Because the retreat includes meals, it is worth telling the team about any dietary needs when you book. Forest Retreats says it caters for all dietary requirements on its day retreats.

If you are looking for a yoga day retreat in the Wye Valley, or a restful way to begin the year in Tintern, this is a calm and well-loved place to do it.