Easter Escape at The Deerstone

Easter Escape at The Deerstone is a two-night wellness retreat at The Deerstone Eco Hideaway in Co. Wicklow, Ireland, timed to welcome spring. It suits friends, families and couples who want a slow countryside break with yoga, pilates, a sauna and cold plunge circuit, and plenty of unscheduled time. The property is dog-friendly, and guests can stay in a whole cottage or in a shepherd's hut for two. A third night can be added for those who want to stay longer.

What to Expect

The weekend is built around a gentle rhythm, with the mornings given to movement and the rest of the day left open.

On arrival day, check-in begins at 1pm with welcome teas and nibbles in The Shed. The afternoon starts with free time in the wellness facilities, followed by an Easter egg hunt across the six acres of grounds. In the evening there is gourmet pizza night in The Barn, with s'mores afterwards, and a cinema night in The Roundhouse with bean bags and blankets.

The following day begins with a kids' stretch class at 8.30am, then a yoga flow and pilates class for adults at 9.30am, both in The Roundhouse. From 10.30am the day is yours. You can use the facilities, hike at Glendalough, or cycle around Laragh on a complimentary electric bike (booking is essential). Cinema night returns at 6.30pm.

On the final morning the same stretch class and the adult yoga and pilates class run again. Late check-out at 1pm leaves time for one more visit to the sauna or plunge pool before you leave.

Those who add a third night follow the same schedule, with an afternoon crafts session for all the family and a restful sound-based session designed to calm the nervous system and release tension.

Optional extras can be arranged on site if booked in advance: massages, pirtis sauna sessions, guided hikes in Glendalough, private yoga sessions and gourmet picnic lunches.

The Setting

The Deerstone Eco Hideaway sits in the Wicklow countryside, close to Laragh and a short trip from Glendalough, known for its scenic hikes, lakeside walks and mountain air. The grounds cover six acres of greenery.

You can stay in one of two ways:

- Entire cottage: suited to groups or families, dogs welcome, with a breakfast hamper included.
- Shepherd's hut: a king ensuite or a double ensuite hut, each made for two and self-catering.

Communal wellness facilities include a sauna, hydrapool, cold plunge, jacuzzi and Japanese soak spa. Gatherings take place in The Shed, The Barn and The Roundhouse.

Before You Go

The retreat is open to all ages and experience levels, with separate offerings for adults and children. The yoga and pilates classes are gentle and accessible, so no previous practice is needed. Everything is run in English.

Included are two nights of accommodation, a breakfast hamper, the morning classes, the kids' stretch class, use of the wellness facilities, electric bike rental, pizza night, cinema night, the Easter egg hunt and the welcome tea and nibbles.

Lunch and dinner are not included, apart from pizza night, so plan to bring food or arrange meals for the other days. This matters most for those in the self-catering huts. The optional massages, pirtis sauna sessions, guided hikes, private yoga and picnic lunches are paid for separately.