Yoga & Wild Swimming Retreat, Anglesey

This yoga and wild swimming retreat on Anglesey brings together guided sea and lake swims, daily vinyasa yoga and a lakeside sauna over three nights at Plas Cadnant, a restored estate near Menai Bridge in North Wales. It is led by Laura Bell, founder of Zest Life, and is open to all levels, including people who have never tried yoga or open-water swimming.

What to Expect

The long weekend is built around water and unhurried time outdoors. Each day begins at 7:00 with an optional dip in the estate's private waterfall, followed by yoga at 8:00 and a slow breakfast at 9:30. The guided wild swim is at 11:00, then lunch at 13:00. The afternoon is free, with massage listed as an option, before cake and juice at 16:00, evening yoga at 18:00, dinner at 19:30 and time to wind down from 20:30.

Across the stay there are six yoga sessions, two guided swims and unlimited waterfall dips. The swims explore sheltered bays, sandy beaches and coastal waterfalls on Anglesey, as well as still lakes among the mountains of Snowdonia. The guides pace each swim to the guest, and the focus is on enjoyment and confidence rather than distance or performance. Wetsuits are optional.

The retreat also includes one sauna experience at the lakeside wood-fired sauna at Llyn Padarn, beneath Snowdonia. It pairs cold immersion with deep heat, with time to pause between rounds and sit with the view.

The yoga is a morning vinyasa flow to wake the body and an evening restorative session to unwind. It is always guided, never pushed.

About Laura Bell

Laura Bell is the founder of Zest Life and has more than 20 years of teaching experience. Her roots are in Ashtanga, and her teaching has grown into a fluid vinyasa style that builds strength, creates space in the body and helps people feel grounded and present. She leads all the yoga on this retreat. Guests describe her and her team as encouraging, particularly for those nervous about cold water.

The Setting

The retreat is held at Plas Cadnant, a restored historic estate in a quiet valley outside Menai Bridge, with views towards Snowdonia. Guests stay in converted barn rooms that mix historic character with modern comfort. The grounds include landscaped gardens, a dedicated yoga space and the private waterfall.

Room options are twin or double with shared occupancy, double ensuite, and single or double rooms for solo occupancy. All rooms use a shared bathroom unless listed as ensuite.

Meals are plant-based and prepared by Zest Life chef Cathy Whitfield, using fresh seasonal ingredients. Breakfast, lunch, afternoon cake and dinner are included, along with unlimited fruit, organic teas, coffee and fruit water. The retreat is alcohol-free.

By car, the estate is just outside Menai Bridge. By train, the nearest station is Bangor, with direct links from London and other major UK cities, followed by a short taxi ride. The nearest airport is Manchester International.

Before You Go

No experience is needed in yoga or in wild swimming, and you do not need to be a strong swimmer. Many guests come for gentle dips and shorter swims, and you can go at your own pace. Guests may take extra waterfall swims on their own, sensibly and within their ability. The retreat is run in English.

Included are three nights of accommodation, yoga mats, blocks and props, all meals and drinks listed above, six yoga sessions, two guided swims, the sauna experience, unlimited waterfall dips, and linen, towels and toiletries. The host team looks after guests throughout. Travel to and from the estate is not included.

Bring two swimsuits, swim shoes, warm layers for afterwards and a reusable water bottle. A woolly hat and gloves are welcome after the colder swims.