Overview
We're heading back to beautiful Coniston Water. This is a very peaceful place where we've previously held five retreats. We will be staying in a historic period property located on the Eastern shores of Coniston Water. Its elevated position provides sensational views of the lake and Old Man of Coniston mountain in the distance. Join us for a truly re-wilding, long weekend 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 or relax.
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 Beth the Free Range Chef
Unlimited fruit, tea, coffee, fresh mint, lemon and ginger
Luxury goodie bag
Hosts
Jenny Clark
Jenny is a yoga teacher, paddle board instructor and Founder of The Wild Times. She has created and held over 60 retreats across the UK and in Morocco, Italy and Sweden.
Maya Howell
Maya is a yoga teacher, paddle board instructor and retreat host. She enjoys slowing down and spending time in nature, and loves to help others to do the same. Expect to find her anywhere there is cold water swimming and a sauna!
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
Four x 1/1.5 hour yoga classes
Daily guided meditation
Optional hike to a waterfall
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
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.
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. Wednesday 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 Thursday 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. Friday will be our final day together, sharing 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. Our wonderful chef - Beth the Free Range Chef - will be joining us. 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 waterfall and the lake as it can be stony underfoot. Bring a wetsuit for the Paddleboarding 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.