21st-23rd November 2025

Price range: £725.00 through £925.00

You are warmly invited to step away from the busyness of the season and immerse yourself in a Christmas-inspired retreat that blends artistic exploration with restorative wellbeing practices. Set in the heart of Dorset, near the historic Wimborne Minster, The Gate House offers a cosy, character-filled setting – perfect for a peaceful and creative escape.

Surrounded by twinkling lights, festive touches, and the warmth of connection, you’ll enjoy joyful seasonal workshops, rejuvenating breathwork, and relaxing yoga – designed to spark creativity and restore balance. This is a space to pause, reflect, and create meaningful art in the company of like-minded, inspiring women.

Unwind in the luxury hot tub, sauna, and cold immersion to support your wellbeing, and savour nourishing, delicious meals crafted to keep your energy steady and spirits high throughout your stay.

Whether you’re completely new to art, rekindling your creativity, or simply seeking a peaceful moment of inspiration during the festive period, this retreat offers a gentle and enriching experience.

Complimentary 3rd night stay (self-catering) – linger a little longer and enjoy the beauty of Dorset at your own pace.

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Christmas Art & Soul Retreat at Deans Court Estate
Wimborne Minster, Dorset

Step into a slower, more soulful pace this festive season. The Christmas edition of our Art & Soul Retreat offers a joyful and nurturing space to rest, reflect, and reconnect through creativity. Set within the elegant and historic Deans Court Estate, you’ll enjoy festive art workshops, nourishing food, and time to unwind in beautiful surroundings.

What’s Included

  • Two nights’ charming accommodation in a historic house on the picturesque Deans Court Estate

  • All meals included, lovingly prepared using fresh, locally sourced ingredients

  • Herbal teas, coffee, cacao and nourishing snacks available throughout your stay

  • Sauna, cold water shower experience and hot tub for relaxation and rejuvenation

  • Four festive and joyful art workshops with artist Wendy Jeavons

  • All materials provided to create your own collection of Christmas-inspired artwork:

    • Six handmade fused glass Christmas tree decorations

    • Six hand-painted Christmas cards

    • One larger, festive mixed media artwork

  • Breath-work session with Ellie Loves to help reconnect and restore

  • Gentle, grounding yoga with Hayley Giles

  • Arrival and departure transfers from the train station if required

  • Complimentary third night’s stay – explore Wimborne Minster’s twinkling lights, independent shops and cosy cafés

  • Optional massage treatments available to enhance your experience

Price is per person and includes full board, art materials, and all retreat activities.

Festive Creative Workshops with Wendy Jeavons

Mindful Art Walk – Gather inspiration from the peaceful, wintery grounds of Deans Court through sketching, journaling, photography, and collecting natural materials.
Christmas Card Painting Session – Learn expressive brush techniques and create six beautiful, hand-painted cards to gift or keep.
Fused Glass Decoration Workshop – Craft six unique fused glass Christmas tree decorations, incorporating screen-printing and mixed media.
Mixed Media Christmas Artwork – Create one larger piece of festive-inspired art using drawing, painting, collage and text.

Is This Retreat for You?

  • You love the festive season and want to celebrate it with creative intention

  • You crave space to pause, reflect and reconnect during a busy time of year

  • You enjoy crafting and want to explore new techniques like fused glass and mixed media

  • You’re seeking inspiration and the time to rekindle your artistic spirit

  • You want to be part of a warm, supportive community of like-minded women

  • You’re curious about using creativity as a meditative and restorative practice

  • You’d love to come away with beautiful handmade decorations, cards and artwork

Practitioners

Sacha Pratten – Host and facilitator

Sacha has a degree in Psychology, and spent a decade as a music teacher before transitioning to hosting. In 2017, she founded Vivre Retreats, creating spaces where people can retreat and recharge in desirable locations. Passionate about food and nutrition, Sacha focuses on providing wholesome, vibrant meals to support wellbeing. A travel enthusiast, she loves exploring new places and facilitating meaningful journeys. Sacha’s true calling is bringing people together in welcoming spaces.

Wendy Jeavons – Host and art practitioner

Wendy is an artist living near Lulworth Cove who loves to nourish her soul through coastal dog walks, sea swimming, yoga, sound baths and meditation and is passionate about astrology, the law of attraction and is currently studying Reiki. Wendy has practised and taught art for over 20 years since studying at Edinburgh College of Art. She loves helping people reconnect to their creative spirit, tap into their intuition and develop a deeper self awareness.

Ellie Loves – Breath-work practitioner

Ellie Loves is a breathwork facilitator passionate about helping you reconnect with your true self. Through breathwork, movement, and meaningful conversations, she inspires self-love, compassion, and the courage to embrace life’s messiness. Ellie’s approach helps you navigate emotions with humor and resilience while staying connected to others. Her sessions offer healing, insight, and joy, reminding us that we’re never alone – we’re all in this together.

Hayley Giles – Yoga practitioner

Hayley first stepped into a yoga class over 35 years ago, finding healing and calm on the mat. After years of dedicated practice, she completed foundational and advanced training with the British Wheel of Yoga, followed by an intensive qualification with the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre. Her journey, enriched by time in India, embraces diverse yoga styles, each offering profound benefits.

Gilly – Wylde Green Kitchen

We’re delighted to be joined by Gilly who opened Wylde Green Kitchen 2016. Her vibrant, health-giving vegan meals are crafted with heart and intention. Gilly brings her signature style, rooted in compassion, creativity, and seasonal ingredients, to the retreat table.  Her food is a celebration of delicious healthy eating – designed to leave you feeling well-fed, and deeply cared for.

FAQs

Do you need be an artist to come to the retreat?
Whether you’re new to art, rekindling your creativity, or an artist seeking fresh inspiration, this retreat helps you explore your authentic creative voice with mindfulness and intuition.
What happens after you book the retreat?
You will receive an email with an online booking form. Four weeks before your retreat, we’ll send a welcome pack with all the details, including what to bring.
How can I reach the venue?
Nearest train/bus station is Poole.
Nearest airport is Bournemouth.
We will provide free transfer service from Bournemouth or Poole.
Do I need equipment?
All art materials are provided.
What is the group size?
Maximum of 13 guests.
Tell me more about Wimborne Minster?
Wimborne Minster is a charming historic town known for its picturesque streets, vibrant market square, and the iconic medieval Minster church.
What will the meals be and is it all included?
We focus on nourishing your body, mind, and spirit with wholesome, vibrant meals to enhance your retreat experience. With all meals, fruits, snacks, tea, and coffee included, we can cater to most dietary needs.
Accessibility?
The ground floor offers a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, dining area, lounge, and garden with wheelchair-friendly space to move around, though not specifically equipped.
What time should I arrive and depart for the retreat?
Arrival should be around 4 pm and depart around 3 pm on the final day.
Do you serve alcohol on this retreat?
We don’t serve alcohol on any of our yoga retreats, to bring you a truly authentic retreat experience.
Who is this retreat for?
This retreat is designed exclusively for women, providing a supportive and empowering environment to connect, create, and unwind.
Can I bring a dog?
We love dogs, but unfortunately, this retreat is not suitable for them. We hope you understand and can enjoy this time as a special escape for yourself.
Are the bedroom doors lockable?
This retreat is designed to feel like a welcoming shared home rather than a hotel, so the doors do not have locks. We encourage a warm and trusting environment for all guests.
I have more questions…
If you have any more questions, drop us an email at contact@vivreretreats.co.uk and we will get back to you!

Sample Menu

Our focus is on nourishing your body, mind, and spirit with wholesome, vibrant meals that support your retreat experience. Each meal is thoughtfully designed to refresh, inspire, and fuel you on your journey.
If you have any dietary preferences or restrictions, please let us know, and we will be happy to accommodate you.
Morning Refreshments

Hot Drinks – fresh coffee, herbal teas etc.

Fruit
Nuts & Seeds

Mini chai pots with mango puree

Brunch 1
Shakshuka – A rich, spiced tomato and pepper stew with poached eggs, topped with crumbled feta and fresh herbs. Serve with warm pita or sourdough bread for dipping.

Brunch 2
Smoked salmon and dill frittata with a hint of lemon, served warm. Accompaniments include an avocado toast, cherry tomatoes, and toppings, plus a fresh arugula salad with shaved parmesan, toasted pine nuts, and lemon vinaigrette.

Afternoon Tea & Cake
Sweet and indulgent treats hand-made from organically grown fruits, nuts and seeds

Meal 1
Local bream, served with a hearty bean cassoulet and tender stem broccoli, drizzled with lemon and olive oil
Meal 2
Wild mushroom risotto, infused with fragrant herbs and finished with truffle oil and shaved parmesan.

Suggested Schedule

Friday:
4:00pm   Arrivals, welcome drinks & healthy nibbles
5:00pm   Welcome circle
6:00pm   Relaxing and grounding Breathwork with Ellie Loves
7:15pm   Nutritious dinner
8:30pm   Hot cacao & herbal teas around the sitting room fire
Saturday:
8:00am   Morning refreshments
9:00am   Mindful creative walk and art
10:45am   Brunch
11:30am   Art workshop
1:30pm   Your free time
3:00pm   Tea & Cake
4:00pm Hot tub, cold water immersion, sauna & treatments
7:00pm Nutritious dinner
8:00pm Hot cacao & herbal teas around the sitting room fire
Sunday:
8:00am   Morning refreshments
9:00am   Gentle yoga
10:45am   Brunch
11:30am   Fused glass workshop
2:00pm   Tea & cake
3:00pm   Fused glass workshop
4:00pm   Retreat concludes with a closing circle
Join in with as much or as little as you like, no pressure to join every class if you prefer to lie in, take a quiet walk or book a massage.
Optional Stay another night with check-out at 10:00 am.

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