Nurturing Grief Retreats in North Yorkshire.
Space for reflection & connection.
Grief is hard work. It can be emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausting. Despite grief being a natural process, it can feel painful, overwhelming, weird, and confusing, and it can leave us wondering whether it's all 'normal'.
Too often, people can feel rushed through their grief by well-meaning loved ones, employers, strangers, and society in general, often because people don't understand it, or it may feel too difficult to acknowledge or talk about. We can judge ourselves and others with thoughts like, "I should be over this by now".
Sometimes we want to retreat from the expectations of how we should be, and just be 'in it'. Be in our grief. To feel it and acknowledge it. To get to know the beast that is grief. We want to be nurtured, supported, our loss and grief acknowledged, and to be with others who 'get it'. This is why I created Grief Retreats.
It's ok to talk about grief, loss, and death at a Grief Retreat. It's a place safe from judgement. You don't need to wear your brave face. You are free from the worry of burdening your loved ones. You can share your grief, and share stories and memories of your special person. You are welcome if your loved one died many years ago, and you are welcome if you are recently bereaved too. There is no time limit on grief.
My Grief Retreats offer you time and space in your grief. Guided by my experience and training in working with loss, grief, creativity, and people. I will walk you through a carefully crafted, evidence-based, gentle itinerary. My Grief Retreats are uniquely creative and nurturing. They provide a space to feel supported, nurtured, and understood.
‘Sitting with the Beast’ Grief Retreat
The Village Room, Hampsthwaite, North Yorkshire
£125
Are you seeking a compassionate space to explore your grief, reflect, and reconnect with yourself and others?
What to Expect
This retreat is designed for people navigating grief who want to explore their experience in a safe, supportive environment. The day includes:
Arrival and Welcome
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Gather at the calm and welcoming village room, and step into the nurturing embrace of the retreat. I will send directions, a map, & photographs of the location.
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Enjoy a warm and friendly welcome and comforting refreshments – you may have had a long journey to get here, in more ways than one.
Session One
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Together, we will set intentions for the day, fostering an atmosphere of trust and comfort, ensuring everyone feels safe and supported.
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Immerse yourself in a story of beasts and nature – a tale especially crafted for this retreat, using beasts as a metaphor to explore grief.
Session Two
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Gently connect with your senses and your experience of grief with the help of guided creative writing and scribbling, and gentle mindfulness activities, and share insights with others.
Session Three
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Embrace the support, space, and creative resources available to create your unique beast, using arts and crafts materials, foraged treasures from nature, words, movement, sounds, or music.
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Connect more deeply with your experience through reflective solitude and shared group wisdom.
Session Four
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Craft a collective Hydra (a beast with multiple heads), honouring the universality of grief and the diversity and uniqueness of individual experiences.
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Engage in a compassionate and considered ending together, marking your journey with a closing ritual.
Closing and Goodbye
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Bid goodbye to the retreat and the people you have shared it with, carrying tokens of remembrance as you depart.
Retreat Dates
Saturday 22nd November 2025
Hampsthwaite Village Room
High Street
Hampsthwaite
North Yorkshire
HG3 2EP
Our tranquil retreat venue is nestled in the peaceful village of Hampsthwaite, just five miles northwest of Harrogate.
5 miles from Harrogate
9 miles from Knaresborough
Nearest Train Station: Harrogate
Bookings
Spaces are limited for your comfort, so please book early.
Please note that minimum numbers are required for each retreat.
Please see Terms & Conditions for cancellation policy.
Breaks
I understand that grief can be tough, so your comfort is priority. The day is carefully crafted to include plenty of breaks to enjoy moments of tranquillity, top up with tea and cake, and nurture connections with others. There are also opportunities to reflect and recharge - to sink into reflective solitude, knowing connection is close by.
Refreshments & Lunch
Whilst we nourish our souls, it’s important to nourish our tummies too! An array of teas and refreshing cordials will be available throughout the day. There will also be delicious locally made cakes and treats. A light lunch will be provided for you to enjoy too. Please let me know upon booking if you have any allergies or dietary preferences.
Accessibility & Inclusion
Grief is universal, and everyone is welcome at my retreats. You are welcome if you were bereaved recently, and you are welcome if your loved one died many years ago. There is no time limit on grief. You are also welcome if you are not grieving a person - grief can show up in so many ways.
My retreats are open to all, regardless of gender identity, sexuality, ethnicity, religion, or disability (visible and invisible). This retreat is neuro-inclusive and trauma-informed. Everyone is invited to participate at their own pace in a safe and supportive space. I invite you to be kind and leave your brave faces at home.
My goal is for everyone to feel included, supported, and safe throughout the retreat.
Accommodation
The Village Room, our peaceful and inviting venue for the retreat, is located in Hampsthwaite, near Harrogate and the stunning Yorkshire Dales.
If you would like to stay a little longer, the area offers a picturesque blend of rolling countryside, charming villages, and historic landmarks, perfect for a tranquil and enriching self-care break.
For more information on places to stay and things to do locally, please see: