Orchardleigh House Wellness Retreat REVIEW
If you’ve ever dreamed of escaping to a grand country estate for a little R&R, Orchardleigh House Estate might just be your little nook of wellness exploration. This stunningly-restored Victorian mansion near Frome, spans 500 acres of resplendent Somerset parkland, woodlands, extensive gardens, an 18-hole golf course, and a charming parish church set on its own island.
With its jaw-dropping setting, it’s no surprise that Orchardleigh House Frome has been a filming location for big productions like Disney+’s Rivals. A hotspot for lavish weddings (including a few A-list ones!), it’s now branching out into wellbeing retreats—because who wouldn’t feel rejuvenated in such a peaceful place?
Disclaimer: my stay at Orchardleigh Estate near Bath was gifted in exchange for a review for Somerset Life magazine, all views are my own.
Love Somerset? Follow Down Somerset Way on Instagram or join our Facebook group.
Orchardleigh House and Estate wellbeing retreats
Run by Samantha Newby-Vincent—whose family took on Orchardleigh in 1999 and brought it back from near-dereliction—the estate’s three-day wellbeing retreats bring together leading wellness practitioners from across the UK. With such a diverse range of experiences on offer, you can choose from yoga and detox programs to fitness, weight loss, menopause support, and general wellbeing. Expect a mix of ancient wisdom and modern techniques, all set against the stunning backdrop of this historic estate.
I arrive on a dark November evening, and immediately sense the scale of the estate as I drive for several minutes along the driveway from the entrance, before reaching my destination in Elmhay Park. A small torchlight waving in the darkness signals Sam, who is waiting to greet me. She leads me through the walled garden to The Orangery, where the retreat is already in full swing. With its old-fashioned lamp post, tucked away, seemingly miles from anywhere, in the midst of acres of estate grounds, it’s giving Secret Garden vibes.
I’m taken to the welcome circle, where some 10 yoga mats, complete with cosy blankets, mats and eye masks, are arranged under fairy lights, around an artful display of dried flowers and flickering candles. Here I am introduced to my fellow guests – all women, of varying ages, some attending with friends, most on their own. Without delay, we dive straight into a life coaching session and then there’s just enough time to unload my things into my shared cottage before dinner.
I step into the welcome circle, where some ten yoga mats—decked out with cosy blankets and eye masks—are laid out under a twinkle of fairy lights. In the centre, an artful display of dried flowers and flickering candles. I meet my fellow retreat-goers—all women, of varying ages, some with friends, most flying solo. No time for small talk though—we dive straight into a life coaching session and then there’s just enough time to unload my bags into my shared cottage for dinner.
Meals at Orchardleigh Somerset retreat
At the far end of The Orangery, an area set up for dining is where we gather for every meal. Wholesome, flavour-packed, and totally vegetarian, all whipped up by a pro chef. Think carrot burgers, soba noodles, roasted veg, poached pears, fresh salads, bircher porridge, and the intriguingly-named ‘life-changing bread’-I’ll report back on whether it lives up to its name!
Meals come with help-yourself water or herbal teas, keeping things light and nourishing. The communal setup makes for easy conversation, with everyone swapping stories about what brought them here. It’s relaxed, chatty, and a great way to connect over good food.
Throughout The Orangery, there are subtle hints of the venue’s wedding alter ego – a playful mirror-scrawled message in the toilets urging guests to ‘get back out on the dance floor’, white tablecloths draped over circular tables, elegant white chairs and a bar discreetly concealed behind curtains. But for now, it’s all about wellness.
And when the sun’s shining? Classes take place into the Italian garden, making downward dogs and meditation sessions feel even more serene.
Accommodation: Orchardleigh House cottages
After a nourishing meal, we retire to our accommodation—a collection of cottages set around a charming courtyard, with glimpses of the golf course visible through an archway. Each cottage has a fully-equipped kitchen and living area to be shared with fellow guests. Rather than high-end super-luxe, I’d say the accommodation is quite basic, practical and handy if sharing with friends, but don’t expect sumptuous furnishings.
While the provided meals are plentiful, you’re welcome to bring your own food (I recommend taking some milk for morning tea in your cottage, as only sachets are supplied).
Cottages range from classic to deluxe, offering both twin and double rooms; if you prefer a double bed or a walk-in shower (some only feature a shower-over-bath setup), it’s worth confirming availability when booking. For a grander option in certain seasons, a Palladian boathouse is also available.
As a solo participant at the wellbeing retreat, I was placed with someone I’d never met before, whose bedroom was right next door to mine. I did find this a bit uncomfortable as I was aware of making noise while they were sleeping and found myself having to creep around the house when their door was shut.
Due to a mix-up with rooms, I was given a twin room with only single beds in it and skylight windows, meaning I had no view. I’m not normally one to complain, but I did speak to Sam about the room situation as I found the beds very uncomfortable and if I’m honest, if I’m on a retreat to relax and rejuvenate, I want an enjoyable space for some downtime (like I had at 42 Acres, also near Frome).
Sam was understanding and opened up a previously-locked part of the same cottage for me to move into, where I’m grateful for a larger, firmer double bed, a window framing views of autumnal trees, increased privacy, and a stand-up shower.
In the courtyard outside, a gypsy caravan houses a wood-fired sauna, lit for guests each evening. The more adventurous can alternate this with the neighbouring cold plunge barrel for a bracing experience.
Retreat Day 1: pilates and morning walk
The first morning kicks off with a 7.30am pilates session, which feels much-needed for my limbs after a night in a single bed. The instructor is brilliant, guiding us through an hour’s worth of restorative stretching – how I wish every day could start this way!
As with all the instructors I encounter during my stay, she’s warm, approachable, and attuned to the group’s varying levels of fitness and experience, adapting postures to suit individual needs.
Our guided walk around Orchardleigh Estate is rescheduled a bit earlier than planned to accommodate a bride’s early arrival for a wedding at the mansion house. We go straight from breakfast to a tour with Sam, who fills us in on the estate’s storied past and painstaking restoration efforts. We’re also given a glimpse inside the house, which still boasts its original servant bells and 18th-century wallpaper that’s now a listed feature.
The grounds are equally impressive, with far-reaching views over the countryside and a Victorian Pulhamite rockwork garden that was discovered during the renovations.
After our stroll, I try the sauna and after 45-minutes of chatting and sweating with other guests, I muster the courage to totter across to the cold plunge. Sitting in a barrel of chilly water beneath a tree feels both amusing and invigorating, and I’m proud of myself for managing a solid couple of minutes in the icy depths!
Ayurveda Academy
After lunch, it’s time to bring out the notebooks we have been given for an Ayurveda for wellbeing session with Jo from The Ayurveda Academy. Before the retreat, we completed a questionnaire to discover our ‘dosha’, and now we’re delving into its meaning. It’s a fascinating introduction to a topic I knew little about, and one I’m eager to explore further.
Next up is a foraging and herbal crafting workshop, where we venture out into the estate to identify wild foods that can boost our health. Rosehips and hawthorns have been gathered from the grounds for us, and we learn to craft our own ‘heart tonic’, which helps with emotional balance, insomnia, palpitations, reducing inflammation and supporting heart health. It’s inspired me for activities to do with my kids during walks and to create personalised foraged gifts in the future!
Yin yoga, dinner, massage and sound bath
There’s no rest for the wicked, as a yin yoga session follows next on the agenda. From this blissful experience, I’m also squeezing in an Ayurvedic oil massage before dinner – a much-needed treat for my dry skin.
Still digesting, our final activity of the day is a sound bath led by Candida Valentino and Michael Ormiston. I’ve been curious about these for a while and am blown away listening to the mesmeric sounds created from symphonic gongs, Tibetan singing bowls, native American flutes, shaman drums, overtone and undertone singing, plus other sacred sound instruments.
Candida and her partner are gifted musicians, with practices deeply rooted in the cultures whose instruments they share.
Lying back on my mat, it feels as if all the sounds of the universe are washing over us – tribal and transportative. I want to soak it all in, and surrender to the experience, but sciatic nerve pains (something I’m familiar with from past spinal injuries) keep me restless throughout. I discover later that certain frequencies or vibrations may have triggered the discomfort.
As I make my way to bed after a jam-packed day, still reeling from the sound bath, I’m taken by surprise by a sudden explosion of fireworks overhead – courtesy of the nearby wedding celebration!
Day 2: silent walk, yoga, Cacao ceremony
Our final day begins with a peaceful, mindful walk through the estate. We stroll in silence down to the beautiful island church, pausing at the 500-year-old yew tree—one of the oldest in the South West- and take a moment to observe the birdlife around the water.
Our morning exercise is rewarded with a nourishing breakfast, after which Lucy Spragge leads a yoga, breathwork and sound session. I wasn’t sure I had a two-hour yoga session in me, but the music-led class offers an interesting deep dive into using breath as a tool for both calm and energy.
After a weekend immersed in mindfulness activities, I opt to forgo the Cacao Ceremony, but leave feeling inspired to integrate the insights and practices I have learnt into my everyday routine.
Final thoughts on Orchardleigh country house retreat
Great for:
Orchardleigh’s packed itinerary offers great value for guests looking to explore a wide variety of wellness practices for mindfulness, fitness, healing and relaxation in the company of like-minded people, all set against a peaceful, countryside backdrop.
Bear in mind:
- For those seeking more downtime to reflect or simply unwind, the jam-packed timetable may feel a tad overwhelming.
- The venue hosts both wedding and wellness events, which can occasionally feel a little jarring, but is a small price to pay, and is easy to overlook.
- If you’re someone who prefers more luxurious amenities during a retreat—such as pools, hot tubs, or sumptuous rooms, this might not be for you.
Prices start from £439 per person, and include all classes, food, drink and accommodation. Click here to check retreat availability.
Liked this post on Orchardleigh Retreat in Somerset? You might also like:
