Deciding to change your life on the 1st of January is no longer just an empty promise, with the rise of UK wellness breaks and retreats, it’s becoming only too easy to embrace a new healthy lifestyle. With wellness breaks you can learn and practice healthy living with the help of knowledgeable hosts and practiced health experts. Here at Not in the Guidebooks we’re all about leading a well-balanced, eco conscious lifestyle that is good for both us and the planet, and our wellness retreats are the perfect example of that idea. We’ve partnered with some of the most inspiring local hosts in the UK to offer you the truly best UK wellness breaks. Whether you’re looking to do yoga in the Scottish Highlands with sheep or detox your body on a wellness retreat to Wales – you can find what you’re looking for at Not in the Guidebooks.
Sheepy Sleepover – Scotland
One of our favourite escapes, sheepy sleepovers are the perfect way to unwind and connect with nature and yourself. Our hosts Beccy & Rivkah have cultivated one of the most unique and grounding wellness experiences you can have in the UK, with a herd of sheep how’re anything but ordinary. On this 3-day break you’ll practice yoga and mindfulness as a way to disconnect from the chaotic nature of everyday life and reconnect with everything that makes you, you. The retreat is located right by Loch Lomond in the Scottish countryside, with some of the most enticing views over Scotland – it really is a quintessential UK wellness break.
New Year Detox and Wellness in Wales – Wales
If you went in quite hard for Christmas and New Years and are now considering how you can make it up to yourself, this New Year Detox and Wellness retreat in Wales is the answer. Lean into the slower pace of winter as you leave your stresses behind and immerse yourself in this top UK wellness break. Feel your body and mind relax as you take part in daily yoga classes, feel the benefits of mindful walking and learn ways to create healthier habits to take into the new year.
Forbes’ recent article about the new role of Wellness in 2025 as ‘the new happy hour’ just goes to show how important our physical and mental health is becoming to us.
Start the new year off right with a healthy and environmentally positive retreat in the beautiful Welsh countryside. This break is perfect for solo travellers and friends as you can share this experience in a small group of like-minded travellers. Our host Claire has been creating authentic adventures in some of the UK’s wildest spaces and is the perfect person to help you connect with your body and nature.
Scotland
Sheepy Sleepover Retreats
This 3 day unique wellness experience will help you relax your body and mind, in this beautiful and remote quirky hideaw..
Wales
New Year Detox and Wellness In Wales
Lean into the slower pace of winter as you leave your stresses behind and immerse yourself in this winter wellness exper..
Wales
Mindful Walking Retreat in Wales
This 3 day walking retreat in Wales is a perfect weekend break for all, exploring the untouched natural world whilst adm..
England
Wild Swimming and Breathwork
A combination of intense breath work, followed by a guided immersion or swim (depending on the time of year).
Mindful Walking Retreat in Wales – Wales
One of the most trending ways to reconnect with yourself, nature and get fit while you’re doing it is through walking. Our mindful walking retreat in Wales is a great way to practice your mindfulness and embrace a healthier lifestyle. Our expert host Claire has years of experience with activity breaks that are not only good for you but also for the planet. If embracing the wild scenery of Wales and gaining a deeper understanding of your sense of self sounds like something you’d be interested in, then book a walking retreat with Claire.
On this UK wellness break you’ll be staying deep in the Berwyn hill range, tucked away in the Ceiriog valley, in a traditional Inn with a simple log fire and premium amenities, everything about this place is perfect. On the mindful walks you’ll be learning about the local wildlife, plants and foliage that make this area of north east Wales so incredible.
Wild Swimming and Breathwork – England
This 3 hour wild swimming and breathwork session in the Lake District, England is an amazing opportunity to connect deeper with yourself. Your guide Katherine Beaumont will walk you through a guided breathwork that connects you meaningfully with your body and then you’ll have a swim in one of the lake districts’ wild waters, connecting with nature while you do so. This is what Katherine has to say about it:
“I live in Rydal, a village in Cumbria. I love my home, and want to share my local knowledge and all of Rydal’s hidden gems with our visitors. My husband, Ben, is an experienced mountain leader and has been navigating the tops, barefoot, for over ten years. Ben prides himself on maximising the fun and adventure and weaves into the experience as much history and philosophy as he can to create an inspiring day out.
I will share all the things that I love to do on a daily basis with guests, such as foraging, meditation, horse connection and adventure. I really enjoy seeing people at their very best and I have lots of experience in using nature and animals to bring out the best in people.”
So, whatever your new years resolution, there is always an amazing UK wellness break with Not in the Guidebooks that’ll suit you perfectly. You can also find great horse riding holidays, painting, cooking and so much more, just browse our itineraries and fill your 2025 with adventure and fun! If you want to learn more about our sustainability efforts (and hear more from Beccy about sheepy sleepovers) and how we’re moving to make travel more responsible, check out our Green Horizons magazine, the video below will tell you more.
23/03/2022 
