Our Training Locations
England: The Dartington Estate and Dartmoor National Park, Devon
We are privileged to call the Dartington Estate—renowned for its history of pioneering social change and its breathtaking natural beauty—the heart of our training courses. The Dartington Estate spans 1,200 acres of rolling landscapes, ancient woodlands, and tranquil riverside walks. The second and third day of our training takes place in Holne Woods, a hidden gem on the edge of Dartmoor National Park.
Accommodation and Meals
This is a non-residential course, but accommodation is available to book on the beautiful Dartington Estate itself. We also provide a list of recommended options nearby. For those without a car, we’re happy to transport you to and from the estate from local accommodation. We ask you to bring your own food, but tea and coffee (and cake) are provided.
Why this location is so special
The Dartington Estate is more than just a beautiful setting. For nearly a century, it has been a hub for creativity, social progress, and connection with the natural world. Students may encounter an incredible array of wildlife, from 800-year-old oaks to kingfishers, woodpeckers, and roaming stags. The estate is also home to majestic century-old Californian redwoods.
From here, we venture into Dartmoor National Park, renowned for its rugged granite tors, sweeping moorland, and ancient stone circles. Our training takes place in Holne Woods, beside the River Dart at Newbridge. This ancient woodland is a world of mossy paths, towering oaks, and birdsong.
Scotland: Kailze Big Lodge, Caldrona Forest
By popular demand we are returning to Scotland in 2025, to the heart of the lovely Tweed Valley in the Scottish borders. We will be practising in the tranquility of the Caldrona forest, with its abundant bird life and native red squirrels, and amongst the carpets of bluebells in the woods of the renowned Kailze Gardens.
Accommodation and Meals
This is a residential course where we will live in community together in Kailze Big Lodge. The Lodge sits in the very heart of the Tweed Valley, just outside the vibrant town of Peebles in a beautifully secluded spot along a private road within the grounds of the Kailzie Gardens Estate.
We will provide a scrumptious breakfast in the Lodge and lunches to take to the forest, while the team at the Kailze Gardens Cafe will be cooking up delicious two course meals for us in the evenings.
Why this location is so special
Nestled in the scenic Tweed Valley, Kailzie Gardens offers a serene environment for reflection and learning. The surrounding wild woodland garden boasts one of the best-laid arboretums in Scotland, with champion and heritage trees, including Scotland’s oldest larch tree, and vibrant displays of snowdrops, bluebells, and azaleas, .
Nearby, Cardrona Forest provides peaceful trails through lush woodlands with stunning views of the valley. Home to native red squirrels and diverse birdlife, it’s the perfect setting for finding inspiration in the quiet rhythms of the forest.
Wales: Seren Retreat Centre, The Gower Peninsula
Located on the stunning Gower Peninsula, Seren Retreat Centre has its own ancient oak forest that dates back to the ice age. We will be able to walk down to one of the Gower’s breathtaking beaches where the forest meets the sand, to practise forest bathing on the beach.
Accommodation and Meals
This is a residential course. We will be staying at the lovely Seren Retreat Centre, where accommodation will be in twin rooms in their comfortable annexe. For those who prefer to camp, spots are available on the edge of the forest, but close by the amenities of the annexe.
We will be providing a scumptious breakfast, while the team at Seren Retreat Centre will be cooking up delicious lunches and dinners for us.
Why this location is so special
The Gower Peninsula, designated as the UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1956, boasts a diverse landscape of rugged moors, limestone cliffs, and golden sandy beaches. This rich environment is a haven for wildlife. The surrounding area is steeped in history and folklore, with numerous castles, churches, and ancient sites to explore
The Seren Retreat Centre has 6 acres of ancient oak forest which dates back to the end of the last ice age. It has a river running through it and – for those who are daring – there is a cold immersion area in a bend of the river.