Art & Well-Being Retreats

immerse in nature & be inspired

Leave the busy world behind for four days of art and mindfulness activities, bringing balance back to your life. Enjoy the glorious Worcestershire Countryside as you unwind with art therapy sessions led by award winning artist, Sarah Stokes (WSA) and woodland walks with NMC Registered Mental Health Nurse Lynne Hughes.

Experience the joy of gathering materials and creating your own bespoke art journal as a lasting memory of your Arley experience. During your time on the retreat you will be guided through popular meditative exercises, crafting and journaling techniques with Lynne whilst Sarah will show you how to experiment with inks, crayons, watercolours and found objects to create beautifully loose illustrations to add to your journal... all within this natural paradise, nestling in the heart of stunning rural surroundings. All of the materials that you need will be provided for on the retreat.

Choose from a wide selection of luxury, cosy accommodation on the doorstep where you can drop your bags, settle in and join Sarah, Lynne and fellow guests as you step back from daily life just for a little while, to embrace the joy of art, creativity and mindfulness.

Our last retreat, Autumn Embrace 2022, was a huge success. You can read some lovely testimonials and see some great photos via this blog.

NATURE

just the tonic...

Take some time for yourself to enjoy the restorative energy of this wonderful setting; with mindful walking through ancient woodland and along the banks of the River Severn. Feel soothed by the pleasure of an evening fire pit and the taste of freshly cooked meals using local produce.

Reconnect with the beauty of nature, reset yourself, increase your creativity and leave this beautiful location feeling refreshed and revitalised.

"I cannot recommend this retreat highly enough. It was more than I ever expected it to be. We were given an exceptional level of teaching which has inspired me in ways that I didn't expect. After just 4 days it changed my outlook on life as well as encouraging me in my art. This was helped by a calming start to each day listening to beautiful music, poetry and quotations from Lyn and amazing walks on which we collected ideas to inspire our painting. I cannot fault the amazing time I had. Thank you Sarah, I'm so looking forward to the next one." (Autumn Embrace 2022)

a typical retreat

Our Art & Wellbeing retreats offer the perfect escape from daily life, immersing you in nature, getting your creative juices flowing and time to relax... Each retreat offers a unique experience but here is an outline of the type of things you'll be doing when you book one of our retreats in the beautiful Upper Arley, Worcestershire. Just the tonic you've been looking for!

Day One

Arrival at Arley Studios from 3pm onwards for refreshments and cake

4pm Registration

4.30pm Introduction to the course in general

5pm Walk around the gardens and Arley village

7.30pm Welcome meal at local restaurant

Day three

9.30 Arrival at studio

10am Mindfulness meditation

10.15am Popular mindfulness exercises

10.30am Journaling

11.00am Autumn crafting at Arley

Studios: candle making/spice bags

12.00am Visit to Severn Valley Tea Rooms for lunch

1.30pm Return to studio for art tutorial

5pm finish

7.30pm Farewell dinner in Georgian riverside town of Bewdley

Day Two

9.30 Arrival at studio

10am Mindfulness meditation

10.15am Introduction to journaling

10.30am Arboretum experience with the Head Gardener

11.00am Autumn crafting at Arley

Studios: autumn leaf keepsake/leaf pressing

12.30pm Lunch at the nearby Harbour Inn

1.30pm Return to studio for art tutorial

5.00pm Finish

7.30pm Firepit meal

Day four

9.30 Arrival at studio

10am Mindfulness meditation

10.15am Reflective thoughts

10.30am Journaling

11.00am Completion of bespoke art journals

12.30pm Lunch at Studio

1.30-5pm Free afternoon for independent painting, journaling, rest or departure home

5pm Finish

A PLACE TO REST YOUR HEAD

So that you can choose your own accommodation according to taste and budget, we've not included accommodation in our package. There's is a range of accommodation in and around Upper Arley including The Boat House and The Goal all just within walking distance to the studio, to other livelier places that can be found in the nearby riverside town of Bewdley.

The Boat House

The Mug House

price & what's included

Courses are led by award winning artist, Sarah Stokes (WSA) and woodland walks with NMC Registered Mental Health Nurse Lynne Hughes.

Our Art & Wellbeing Retreats are four days and costs £775. This price includes everything listed each day as well as all materials, course leadership, meals & drinks.