42 Acres Somerset wellbeing retreat: REVIEW
42 Acres wellbeing retreat describes itself as a ‘space to experience yourself as nature’. I headed to the countryside near Frome, for forest dining, cold water swims, woodland saunas, nutritious food, mindful activities and more at this gorgeous Somerset retreat.
About 42 Acres Retreat in Somerset
Tucked away in rural Somerset countryside near Frome, 42 Acres is a wellbeing retreat centre, nature reserve and regenerative estate that actually spans 173 acres of wild spaces, ancient woodlands and a seven-acre lake. Founded in 2015 by siblings Lara and Seth Tabatznik, it was created as a space for healing and connection with nature.
Aside from the occasional night away – and not counting the two-week hospital stay I had last year when I was in pretty rough shape – since having children, a solo weekend getaway aimed purely at recharging and resetting (ahem, and gathering content for this review) is something this permanently tired mother-of-three regularly dreams about. Needless to say, when offered a 48-hour restorative retreat at 42 Acres, I leapt at the chance.
*Disclaimer: this was a gifted stay in exchange for a review for Somerset Life Magazine. As always, views are my own.
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Wild Wellbeing Weekends
While the site has hosted private retreats for years, the newly-introduced Wild Weekends are a series of two-day nature-based retreats curated by the team at 42 Acres and held at The Hermitage.
Guests can choose from several experiences: Rewild, which focuses on their immersive nature restoration projects; Renourish, highlighting medicinal foods that are wild-tended and organically grown on the land; and Restore, a self-care spa retreat rooted in nature that aims to rejuvenate both the mind and body.
Everything that 42 Acres encourages from its guests is cultivated in both the land and the team that work here. In conversations with General Manager Helena over the weekend, it’s clear that their commitment to caring for and coexisting with the environment goes hand in hand with their dedication to nurturing and supporting their staff.
From a wellbeing manager focused entirely on staff welfare, to a land healer tasked with balancing the energies of the surrounding countryside, 42 Acres walks the talk in every aspect of its business.
Beginning on a Friday afternoon and concluding on Sunday, each retreat provides a stay in luxurious ensuite accommodation amid picturesque countryside. Guests can enjoy a unique food-fire-forest experience, wild swimming, and a woodland sauna, complemented by nourishing gut-friendly vegetarian or vegan meals.
I chose the Restore retreat, and am pleasantly surprised by how easy it is to connect with the other guests, which range from family groups, to friends, couples, and solo attendees, like myself.
Many were keen to gather around the communal table for meals, or meet up to brave the cold waters of the lake, while others opted for a more private experience. Some were seasoned retreat-goers and advanced wellbeing lifestylers, with ecstatic dance getaways and cacao ceremonies under their belts, while others were newcomers, simply seeking a relaxing escape.
The bedrooms at 42 Acres retreat
Upon arrival, guests are given time to ‘land’—a concept that feels alien to me, as I’m used to navigating life with three children in tow, who bounce off the walls with excitement when we rock up at any new setting. After a brief tour with my friendly host, I’m left to enjoy the bottomless supply of tea and herb-infused water, book a massage, and review the schedule, which I’m relieved to find is not overloaded with activities.
My bedroom, one of the ‘sumptuous’ rooms at The Hermitage Retreat Centre, is warm and inviting – a simple, light-filled sanctuary exuding calmness in natural materials and earthy neutral tones. Thick fabrics create a cosy atmosphere and the spacious bathroom features a gigantic shower and window seat with lake views, nestled beneath a 13th-century glass window. On the other side, I look over two luna bell tents where massages take place to a soundtrack of birdsong and rustling leaves.
Most of the rooms are situated in The Hermitage, but there are also self-catering options for small groups of friends, plus a ‘Tiny Boat’, which sits on the lake’s edge.
Mindful activities
The evening brings a mindful candle-making session led by Self Care Co. ‘s founder, Nicole de Leiburne, and her wife, Phoebe. Music is selected for its sensory qualities, complementing the enticing aroma of essential oils and herbs, beautifully scattered across the low table.
Flickering candles cast a warm glow, while a woodburner crackles beside a large crystal as we explore the power of aromatherapy. While I’m not entirely comfortable in the group-sharing of gratitudes and intentions, there’s a lot to be said for stepping out of your comfort zone once in a while.
Day 1: Yoga retreat Somerset
I’m up early the next morning for Mindful Flow Yoga, a short walk through the walled garden. Greeting me as I step outside, is a radiant autumn sunrise, casting a stunning orange glow that stops me in my tracks.
Aside from the morning’s group activity, my day revolves around enjoying nourishing meals, and venturing out into the grounds to see if I can spot elusive beavers. While I don’t catch sight of one, the telltale signs of gnawed trees suggest they’re nearby. Future plans for wildlife on the estate include the reintroduction of wild cats and stork breeding onsite.
I attempt to unwind indoors, but unaccustomed to not constantly ‘doing’ and feeling a bit of sunlight FOMO, I can’t resist heading back outside to soak up every bit of this glorious day.
I muster the courage to join three other guests for a wild swim in the lake (paddleboarding and a rowing boat are a less chilly option), encouraging each other as we lower ourselves into the nippy water and pushing past the odd sensation of the sludgy lakebed. We manage to swim out to the lily pads, then reward ourselves with a hot wood-fired sauna.
Nourishing treatments
Strangely, throughout the weekend, I have this recurring sense of being in the right place at the right time. In one case, I end up with the wonderful – and possibly magical – Bríd for my treatment.
Bríd refers to her approach as ‘body work’ – a deeply intuitive method that makes my battered body feel intensely cared for. I leave the hour-long session feeling utterly blissed out and a little bit more healed. It’s no surprise to learn she is also an energy practitioner with deep connections to the land.
Dinner in the forest
As the sun sets, we head to the forest for dinner, where a long, rustic banquet table set with candles and flowers awaits us under a parachute canopy, adorned with twinkling lights. Guests gather round a crackling fire while the chefs whip up a nutrient-dense, plant-based feast over open-fire.
80% of the ingredients here come from within a 42-mile radius, with much of the produce organically grown or wild-foraged from their grounds. These include a no-dig garden, micro-mushroom farm, nut trees and a walled garden. Refined sugar is off the menu, homemade, cultured foods are on. Like everything onsite, the food is wholesome, health-boosting and lovingly-presented.
As the evening unfolds, conversations drift to past lives, spirituality, folklore, and history of this former monks’ retreat.
Final thoughts
My stay at 42 Acres was a reminder that a little time away from the busyness of daily life isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity for the soul.
I came here looking forward to an opportunity to recharge, as a bonus consequence of my review, but I left with a renewed appreciation for taking time to slow down. As our Yin Yoga teacher quoted to us on the final morning, it’s amazing to “notice what is there when you have time to notice”.
Reflecting on 42 Acres, fellow guest Lauren remarked, “it must be hard to convey the magic of the place with just words”. And while that’s true to some extent, my mind was buzzing with things to say about this extraordinary place. As their PR Lead, Alicia, aptly put it, “It’s a vibe”.
The visit was provided by 42 Acres, whose Wild Weekends cost from £350pp (two sharing), including all meals and experiences.
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