Whilst preparing our Mothers & Daughters Retreat, we’ve been reflecting on the importance of carving out intentional time together. To help inspire your own moments of connection, we wanted to share some meaningful activities that mothers and daughters can enjoy side by side.
There’s something truly special about this unique bond, a thread that evolves and deepens through life’s many seasons. Yet in the rush of everyday life, it’s all too easy to let those precious moments of genuine connection slip away. But when we step away, into nature, stillness, or creativity, we create the space to slow down and simply be with one another.
With its dramatic coastline, rolling countryside, and peaceful villages, Dorset offers the perfect backdrop for this kind of intentional time. Whether it’s walking along a cliff path, sharing a pottery wheel, or unwinding in a seaside spa, the county invites mothers and daughters to reconnect, reflect, and nourish their bond in gentle, lasting ways.
Activities for Connection & Wellness
1. Coastal Walks
Route Idea: Old Harry Rocks Walk – National Trust
Breathtaking views, fresh sea air, and the rhythmic pace of walking make this route ideal for reflective conversation or companionable silence.
📍 Old Harry Rocks Car Park postcode: BH19 3AX
Wellness Tip: Try grounding by walking barefoot on the sand, or take a stretch of the walk in mindful silence.
Afterwards: Lunch at The Pig on the Beach. Flatbreads from their outdoor pizza oven are a must. Weekday visits offer a quieter vibe and some great midweek deals.
📍 The Pig on the Beach: Manor Rd, Studland, BH19 3AU
2. Book a Wellness Retreat
What: Our Mothers & Daughters Pre-Christmas Retreat
When: 1st–3rd December | Wimborne St Giles Estate
Escape to a wholesome, slow-paced weekend designed to nurture your bond. Expect mindful movement, nourishing food, and space to simply be together.
Why it’s special: Created especially for mothers and daughters, this retreat offers the perfect pause before the festive season begins.
3. Spa Day
Monart Spa, Poundbury
A serene, adults-only sanctuary with thermal suites, nature-inspired design, and deeply relaxing treatments.
📍 Monart Spa Dorset: Queen Mother Square, Poundbury, Dorchester, DT1 3DX
Christchurch Harbour Hotel & Spa
Coastal charm meets luxury. Enjoy sea views, spa facilities, and lunch or tea with a view.
📍 Christchurch Harbour Hotel: 95 Mudeford, Christchurch, BH23 3NT
Lime Wood Spa, New Forest
Nestled among trees, this award-winning spa offers holistic therapies and forest views.
📍 Lime Wood Hotel & Spa: Beaulieu Rd, Lyndhurst, SO43 7FZ
What to Do: Enjoy treatments or simply relax in the spa facilities, then unwind over a peaceful afternoon tea. A classic for a reason.
Creative Workshops
Pottery with Endre Borbely
Three-hour taster session: £80pp
Endre’s supportive teaching style makes each session feel relaxed and meaningful—even for total beginners. His ceramic work is beautifully unique, and well worth exploring on his website.
📍 Endre Borbely Ceramics: West Moors, BH22 0DA (exact address provided on booking)
The Happy Blossoms – Autumn Hand-Tied Bouquet Course
Saturday 4th October | 3–5pm | £75pp
Create your own seasonal bouquet in this joyful, hands-on workshop celebrating autumn’s colours and textures. A perfect way to slow down, get creative, and take home something beautiful.
📍 The Happy Blossoms Studio: 42 East Street, Wimborne, BH21 1DX (check booking confirmation)
5. Slow Mornings & Soulful Cafés
Walk: Take a peaceful stroll through Upton Country Park
📍 Upton Country Park: Poole Rd, Upton, BH17 7BJ
Then: Head to The Barn Café in nearby Lytchett Minster, just a 7 minute drive away.
📍 The Barn Café: Dorchester Rd, Lytchett Minster, BH16 6ER
Ease into the day, share a journal, write notes to each other, or enjoy an unhurried coffee in a cosy setting.
6. Farm & Nature Days
New Forest Lavender Gardens
A peaceful and fragrant escape.
📍 New Forest Lavender Farm: Landford, Salisbury, SP5 2BG
Trehane Blueberry PYO & Brothers Farm Flowers
A true summer gem! Sunshine, berry-filled baskets, and sweet moments spent picking together.
This delightful spot offers both blueberry-picking fields and vibrant flower gardens to wander through. Their talented on-site florist, Becca, creates beautiful fresh bouquets and hosts free floristry demo workshops every Thursday morning in the café. Be sure to check out their website for all the details.
After exploring, relax with a drink at the charming on-site café.
Bonus: Blueberries are a superfood packed with antioxidants!
📍Location: Trehane Nursery, Stapehill Rd, Wimborne, BH21 7ND
Connecting in nature through simple, tactile experiences is grounding and quietly joyful.
7. Wild Swimming or Paddleboarding
Where to Go: See our previous blog post for Dorset’s hidden wild swimming gems.
Tip: After your dip, warm up with a hot drink and a cosy towel, then sit, chat, and soak it all in. It’s magic.
📚 8. Bookstore + Beach Day
What to Do: Visit Serendip Bookshop in Lyme Regis, choose a book each, then read together on the beach.
📍 Lyme Regis Bookshop: 11 Broad Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3QD
Why Lyme Regis?
It is a coastal treasure where history and charm meet the sea. Known as the “Pearl of Dorset,” its winding streets are dotted with independent shops, cosy cafés, and vintage bookshops. Perfect for a slow day of browsing together. Rich in heritage, it’s also the hometown of fossil hunter Mary Anning and part of the Jurassic Coast. Whether you’re beachcombing or sharing a cream tea with a view, Lyme Regis offers connection, curiosity, and timeless seaside magic.
🎙️ Recommended Podcasts
Looking for something thoughtful to listen to on your next walk or cosy café visit? These podcasts offer honest conversations, insights, and inspiration for mothers and daughters alike.
Happy Mum, Happy Baby: In this episode, psychologist Dr Julie explores the power of letting go of perfection in parenting and embracing the growth that comes from mistakes.
🎨 Local Artist Spotlight
Based between Dorset and London, Jess Gale is a contemporary landscape and figurative painter trained at Heatherley School of Fine Art in Chelsea. Her work beautifully captures the energy of nature, whether working en plein air on Dorset’s rolling fields and dramatic coastline or in the studio, playing with shapes, light, and colour to explore both abstract and representational forms .
Here’s to looking after our Mother & Daughter relationship,
Sacha & Naomi X