Wellness retreats are having a serious moment. With statistics reporting a rise in stress, anxiety, and depression, it’s no wonder we are swapping boozy weekends and rushed city breaks for more wholesome getaways to return refreshed rather than burnt out.
If you have been considering a wellness retreat but felt a bit overwhelmed by the prospect of a silent retreat or seven days of green juice, a visit to Down Hall for their one-night Breathwork Wellness Retreat might be your perfect starting point.
Nestled in the stunning Essex countryside, Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate is a charming mix of classic grandeur and contemporary style. Having recently undergone a £2.8 million refurbishment, the interiors now blend period features with plush furnishings and bold colour palettes. The hotel’s heritage as a grand Italianate mansion still shines through with the old murals on the outside of the building and Greek statues on either side of the huge fireplace, but the tasteful addition of plush velvet sofas and exotic wallpaper gives it a very luxe feel.
Our wellness weekend began with the kind of welcome every retreat should offer: a heavenly head and shoulder massage at the serene Eden Spa. After a two hour drive from South London it was the perfect start. From there, we were left to enjoy the two hour wet spa experience—hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam room, and sensory showers—all designed to prep body and mind for the next phase of our stay. The fact that we arrived in glorious 22 degree sunshine just added to the holiday vibe.
Enter Camilla from Glowments, a fully accredited breathwork and yoga practitioner who radiates positivity and expertise. She gently guided us through an hour-long introduction to breathwork in a relaxed, accessible session. No intimidating poses or esoteric jargon, just grounded, practical techniques to help reconnect with your breath and settle into the moment. It’s exactly the kind of retreat for someone exploring wellness without diving headfirst into deep meditative states. If you are looking for a deeper journey, this might not be the right one for you, but if you are new to breathwork, it’s the perfect level to start.
I loved the fact that the Sound Bath was on the itinerary before dinner. So many retreats have them after eating, which I find uncomfortable. During the session, we were each invited to draw a water card, which Camilla explained was a more positive version of Tarot Cards and kindly offered to read them individually over dinner.
The food at Down Hall is delicious. We dined in The Garden Room, a chic and contemporary restaurant filled with vibrant botanical wallpaper and a relaxed, buzzy atmosphere. We enjoyed light starters of leek and potato soup and potato rosti, and the gorgeous mains of deliciously pillowy homemade gnocchi with pesto and hake and pea and mint orzo. It was the perfect end to a lovely first day.
The next morning began with a yoga session tailored to the room’s abilities, held in a stunning, chandelier draped room with huge floor-to-ceiling windows looking out to the trees and fountains. I was a little nervous as I truly am at beginner level, but with Camilla’s expert instruction, I found myself being able to do more than I imagined.
The breakfast at Down Hall is a lovely buffet situation, and I even noticed a cheeky Bloody Mary station, which I thought was a nice touch, and I would have enjoyed it if I had not been feeling so regulated and calm.
For the final instalment of our retreat, we set off on a guided mindfulness walk through the estate, pausing to spot wildflowers, wrap our arms around ancient, huge trees, and strike up conversations with fellow guests. It was light-hearted, grounding, and the perfect end to a deeply restorative 24 hours.
If you’re wellness-curious but not ready to commit to a week-long retreat, this one-night retreat at Down Hall is ideal. It’s nourishing without being preachy, grounding without being heavy, and luxurious in all the right ways. I couldn’t recommend it more for anyone looking to dip their toe into wellness and press pause on the chaos—if only for a day.
Review and Images by Emmie Blower @emmiebhungry
