From Cornwall to the Cairngorms, put a spring in your step at a yoga getaway in one of these beautiful spots
Tresco, Scilly Isles
On the second-largest of the Isles of Scilly, local yogi Gem Hansen leads outdoor classes for regulars and holidaymakers in island beauty spots, often on the fine white sands of Appletree Bay. When the weather takes a turn for stormier, sessions move to the Flying Boat Studio, a bright space with views over the neighbouring island of Bryher. With training in Bali under her belt, Hansen tends to focus on slow-flow yoga. For somewhere suitably relaxed to retreat to afterwards, book a room at Tresco’s New Inn, which reopens in April after a major refurb.
Classes from £16 per hour, tresco.co.uk. Double rooms from £120 a night, tresco.co.uk
Derbyshire Dales
This retreat is aimed at nature-loving yogis. Hope Valley is the setting for outdoor yoga classes, guided hikes and lots of time to relax in squishy sofas at a modern-rustic venue on a converted cattleshed. The yoga is suited to all abilities, with evening practice featuring relaxing yoga nidra as a precursor to stargazing and hot chocolate by the fire.
Stay from 22-25 April, £595pp based on two sharing, including all meals, two yoga classes per day and two hikes, adventureyogi.com
Cairngorms
Near Loch Garten and swathes of ancient forest is a wild-feeling retreat where saunas, hiking, cold swims and outdoor hot tubs are elements as crucial as the yoga itself. The base for the break is Forest Village, a collection of stylish cottages and yurts on the edge of Nethy Bridge. A deep, slow, dynamic form of yoga will be taught by Jean Hall, with lots of breath work and yoga nidra.
Stay from 26-29 August, from £675pp-£875pp based on two sharing, including all meals, 10 hours of yoga and a four-hour wilderness hike, yogajeannie.com
Hadlow, Kent
More than six centuries ago, Oxon Hoath was created as a royal hunting park for the kingdom’s oxen and deer. These days those roaming the parkland’s wooded dells are more likely to be wellness gurus than bow-wielding knights, as the estate plays host to yoga retreats, such as one led by renowned yogi Jeff Phenix this summer. His meditation and yoga weekend features a tasting menu of deep, slow asana practice, yin yoga, pranayama and more that makes it suitable for beginners as well as experts, and there’s time to enjoy the estate’s peaceful gardens.
Stay 10-12 June, from £425-£575pp depending on room and whether you share, including four meditation and four yoga sessions and all meals, jeffphenixyoga.com
Cornwall
On the legendary surf beach of Polzeath, holidaymakers are welcome to join regular yoga classes that take place right on the sand. Many surfers rely on yoga for boosting their paddle-out power, but even splosh-about-in-the-shallows types will benefit from these hour-long sessions. Stay at the smart Oystercatcher Inn overlooking the beach.
Yoga classes available from 19 April, £10pp; private sessions year-round for £80 for 1-4 people, wavehunters.co.uk. Apartments sleeping two from £85 per night, oystercatcherpolzeath.co.uk
Dartmoor, Devon
Whether you’re admiring them from the sunny terrace or upside down in a headstand, the views from the Eden Rise eco-retreat are sublime. This converted barn hosts a yoga holiday with Charlie Merton, a popular Triyoga teacher, in May. Kayaking on the Dart, trips to Totnes and local walks can fill gaps between yoga sessions, gong baths and meditation.
Stay from 28 May- 3 June, various shared accommodation options from £600pp, including all meals and activities, nadapriya.com
Lake District
The picturesque area around Coniston can be explored on this invigorating walking and yoga break. Classes take place outdoors on hillsides and by lakes, and in the grounds of the Lanehead centre, where guests stay and practise – . There are also two indoor studio spaces with mountain views. There’s a hike every day, while yoga is divided into different levels.
Stay 2-5 June, £445-490 pp based on sharing a room, including six yoga sessions, three hikes and all meals, yogahikes.co.uk
Somerset
Yoga, pilates, meditation and breathwork combine for a smörgåsbord of relaxation during this long weekend in the countryside near Gillingham. Wild swimming and evening bonfires accompany daily sessions, with some barre thrown in. The retreat is held at 42 Acres, a gorgeous farmhouse in a secluded valley. Classes take place in the gardens, or yurt. Stay 17-19 June, from £595pp including twice daily yoga, daily pilates, a guided meditation, breathwork and all meals, ourretreat.co.uk
Black Mountains, Wales
Anusara yoga is about following the heart and flow, with a strong focus on alignment. A highly respected practitioner, Bridget Woods Kramer, hosts several retreats a year in the UK including two for 2022 in the Black Mountains, based at Fforest Barn.
1-4 July and 4-7 November. From £450pp in shared barn accommodation, £395 in shared glamping, including meals, daily meditation plus two yoga practices per day, bridgetwoodskramer.com
Cambridgeshire
In a meadow west of Cambridge, Paus provides an unusual venue for daytime chilling. This rustic spa features alfresco bathing with hot tubs, sauna cabins, wild swimming, bistro and barefoot trail. Wellbeing events include a yoga and breathwork day with Andy Nathan.
Stay at Rectory Farm, a country house hotel on 20 March, £150pp. Paus entry from £35pp for three hours, paus.life. Doubles at the hotel from £59 room only, rectoryfarm.net.
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