Overview
We're heading back to beautiful Coniston Water, our favourite Lake District retreat location. This is a very peaceful, beautiful place where we've previously held multiple retreats throughout the seasons. We will be staying in a historic period property located on the Eastern shores of Coniston Water - its elevated position provides amazing views of the lake and Old Man of Coniston mountain in the distance. Join us for a truly re-wilding retreat in the heart of the Lake District. With daily yoga, morning meditation outside overlooking the lake and paddle boarding on the water, there will be plenty of fresh air, movement, rest and time spent in nature surrounded by lakes, trees and mountains. As always, everything is optional so you choose how hard you want to adventure (hike, swim, paddleboard) or relax (sauna, lie ins and Yoga Nidra).
Highlights
Daily vinyasa, yin & meditation classes
SUP yoga + paddle boarding
Accommodation in historic period property located on the Eastern shores of Coniston Water
Mountain walks, open fires and wild swimming
Delicious vegetarian meals and snacks by Megs the Chef
Unlimited fruit, tea, coffee, fresh mint, lemon and ginger
Hosts
Maya Howell
Maya is a vinyasa, yin, restorative and nidra yoga teacher and lead host at The Wild Times. She has previously hosted many of our retreats in the UK, Sweden and Morocco, and teaches regular classes across East London. In class, Maya invites you to move freely, explore with curiosity, and drop the idea of getting it “right.” She offers creative flows with options for all levels of yogi - an invitation to take what the body needs in the moment. Think movement that builds warmth and gives space for trying something new while staying soft, playful, and grounding - all set to the sound of soothing Scottish tones. Expect soft knees, self-enquiry, breathwork, stillness, play, meditation, wobbles, poetry, and great playlists.When not on retreat, Maya is half Scottish selkie, half East London girl. If not found in the sea, you can usually find her warming up in a sauna somewhere or mooching around a market or gallery, getting inspired for future dreams of her own exhibit one day.Her past life as an events manager means she has a natural knack of making everything feel effortless so you can sit back, switch off, and melt in.
Megan Westerman
Meg is a wonderful host, chef and assistant on many of our retreats (and also happens to be our Founder Jenny’s sister!)
Megan has been an integral part of our retreats from day one, from Morocco to Sweden to almost all of our retreats across the UK, whether it’s hosting floristry workshops, lighting fires, making brownies or organising everyone’s activities and looking after all of our guests.
When she’s not at The Wild Times, she is a qualified primary school teacher or probably out on the water somewhere, wakeboarding or paddleboarding.
Schedule
Example Schedule | Schedule subject to change / going with the flow. Do as much or as little as you like.
Previous
Next
Friday
5pm: Arrive and settle in, arrival snacks and drinks
6pm: Opening circle, yoga & meditation
7.30pm: Dinner
Saturday
8am: Vinyasa yoga and meditation
9.45am: Breakfast
10.45am: Paddleboarding (group 1) / free time (group 2)
1pm: Lunch
2.15pm: Paddleboarding (group 2) / free time (group 1)
4.15pm: Free time - walk, read, relax
6pm: Yin yoga
7.30pm Dinner, campfire & marshmallows
Sunday
7.30am: Tea, coffee and fruit available
8.30am: Vinyasa yoga, meditation
10am: Breakfast
11am: Hike with optional wild swimming and sauna
1.30pm: Lunch
5.30pm: Yin yoga
7pm: Dinner, campfire
Monday
7.30am: Tea, coffee and fruit available
8.00am: Meditation and closing circle
9.00am: Breakfast
10.00am: Departures
What's included
What's Included
All meals, snacks + drinks
Daily guided meditation
Optional wild swimming
Intro to SUP session
SUP yoga session
Use of paddle boarding equipment
Yoga mats, blocks, bolsters and blankets
Goodie bag
Accommodation in a historic property with sensational lake views
Eight x 60-90 minute yoga practices
What's Not Included
Transport to and from the retreat
Travel insurance - please make sure you get your travel insurance as soon as you have booked your retreat.
Tickets
Twin Room
Share with another guest on the retreat.
$1,203.91/pp
Quadruple Room
Quadruple room space, women only
$1,038.80/pp
Triple Room
Triple room space, women only
$1,093.84/pp
Double / Twin Room for Two
Share with a friend/partner
$1,203.91/pp
Solo Double Room
En-suite double bedroom with lake views
$1,651.08/pp
Gallery
Location: The Lake District
The Lake District is England’s largest national park and now a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, loved by writers, artists and poets throughout time
Our venue for this retreat is a historic period property located on the peaceful Eastern shores of Coniston Water, tucked down a quiet lane with high hedgerows It's elevated position provides beautiful views of the lake and high fells beyond, with the village of Coniston within walking distance. This is Swallows and Amazons territory - the neighbouring farm was featured in the books!
The house was built in 1840 and was once owned by William Gershom Collingwood who acted as John Ruskin’s assistant until the latter’s death in 1903, and bought Lanehead so that he could be near Ruskin’s home at Brantwood, just down the road.
Collingwood was a portrait and landscape painter, and also an antiquary, archaeologist and author, his first novel Thorstein of the Mere (1895) being a childhood favourite of Arthur Ransome, the author of Swallows & Amazons.
There are stunning views of the high fells and refreshing lakes to swim in. The perfect place to immerse yourself in the beautiful surrounding nature.
Trip Tips
Do
Relax, you have arrived. Settle in before a grounding yoga class, followed by a sharing dinner. The second day will bring vinyasa yoga and the chance to try paddleboarding, and optional swimming in the lake. Enjoy dinner together and chats around the fire in the evenings. On day three there will be more yoga and meditation, followed by an optional hike. On our return you will get the chance to enjoy sauna and cold water immersion at the house. On our final day together we will share a breakfast and a closing circle before departing. All activities are optional but encouraged, so you can nap, read or swim in the lake - it’s completely up to you. The schedule is always weather dependant!
Stay
Nestled on the shores of Coniston Water, its stunning location means that you will get to enjoy what the area has to offer during the day and relax into the evening in complete comfort and spaciousness. Each bedroom is ensuite and the property offers lots of flexibility and plenty of entertaining space both inside and out with a large open plan kitchen and dining area, two lounges with log burners and a large garden and outdoor seating. If you want to head out and explore the local area then Coniston village is just a 5 minute drive away or a 25 minute walk, meaning you are in easy access to local shops, pubs and more. Additional attractions include boat tours on Coniston Water plus an abundance of walking routes including up the Old Man of Coniston. We will be walking to Tarn How's, which everyone is welcome to join.
Eat
All the food on the retreat is nutritious, home-cooked, wholesome and vegetarian. Snacks, drinks and meals are provided, from hearty brunches to soups, salads, curries, flatbreads, freshly baked goods and more. There will be fruit and a hot drink station for you to help yourself to throughout, with herbal teas, fresh mint, lemon and ginger. We can cater for dietary requirements if you let us know beforehand.
Reviews
FAQs
Who is it for?
The Wild Times are for anyone of any age and ability who wants to connect to nature and relax.
For this retreat in the Lake District, a reasonable level of fitness and mobility is required for the hike and getting in and out of the lake and on and off the paddle board. Email us if you're not sure and we can always have a call to discuss and see if this retreat is right for you.
We recommend attending 3 or 4 yoga classes prior to attending if possible to get the most out of it, or you can book some private online 1:1 classes with our Founder Jen beforehand.
Do I need paddleboarding/yoga experience?
Not at all! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just finding your water/yogi legs you are very welcome. We just ask that you can swim 50 metres.
Do I need equipment?
We recommend some water shoes for getting in and out of the lake as it can be stony underfoot. Bring a wetsuit for the paddle boarding if you like, or clothes you don't mind getting wet, and bring a spare towel for the water activities.
Where is it?
East of Lake, Coniston LA21 8AA.
The best way to reach the cottage is either by car or train. There are a few changes via train from London:
Train from London to Oxenholme Lake District: Depart from London Euston station on an Avanti West Coast service to Oxenholme Lake District. Trains run hourly, with a journey time of approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes.
Transfer to Windermere: At Oxenholme, change to a Northern Rail service to Windermere. This leg takes about 20 minutes.
Bus to Coniston: From Windermere, take the Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire bus service 505 to Coniston. The bus journey lasts approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Local Transport to East of Lake: Upon arrival in Coniston, you may need to arrange a taxi or local transport to reach East of Lake. Alternatively, if you wish to car share or share taxis, let us know on your booking form and we will put you in touch with other guests who want to over email.