Enjoy some precious time to yourself, and dip your toes into the magic of Music-for-Wellbeing
Come to beautiful Cornwall for a few days of peace, solitude, and whatever you need at this time... whether it's spending time in nature, a creative project to nurture, or just some time to reflect
Retreats in Cornwall
- Spacious and restful ensuite single room for female guests
- Creekside and woodland walks from the doorstep, stunning cliff walks within 30 minutes drive
- Healthy and nourishing vegetarian meals (breakfast and supper)
- Therapeutic Sound Baths, guided meditations with live harp music, and other Music-for-Wellbeing experiences
- Time to do whatever you wish... explore, create, think, or maybe just be
- If you like, bring sketching things, musical instruments, that novel you've been meaning to write...
- I'm here if you want to bounce ideas off someone, and we'll share a meal in the evening, but on the whole your time is free
Your Retreat, Your Time
Arrive on Saturday anytime from midday, and stay until Tuesday 10am.
Included in your 3-night retreat :
A healthy breakfast each morning, including your choice of muesli, granola, dairy or plant milk, yoghurt, fresh fruit, bread or oat cakes, jams and honeys. A selection of regular, herbal and green teas, as well as coffee and hot chocolate.
A delicious 2-course vegetarian supper each evening.
A relaxing 'Sound Bath' after supper on Saturday, weaving Celtic Harp music with gentle chimes, ocean drum, and other therapeutic sounds (or your choice of musical experience)
A guided meditation on Sunday, which takes inspiration from nature, and incorporates live harp music and gentle lullaby-style song (or your choice of musical experience)
A therapeutic Sound Bath on Monday (or your choice of musical experience)
Your Room
Accessed from its own staircase, is your spacious and restful ensuite room
There's plenty of space to relax, curl up with a good book, do some yoga, journal, whatever you need at this time. There's a large bookcase full of inspiring books, colouring pens and pencils, knitting needles and wool, origami papers, and more.
A selection of regular, herbal and green teas is provided to make a warming brew.
Fresh towels and Faith-in-Nature toiletries are provided in the ensuite shower room.
You can relax on the patio in fine weather, it's a great place to enjoy a cuppa and listen to the birdsong, surrounded by colourful pots of geraniums and grape vines.
Location
Retreats are based in Devoran, a pretty creekside village, with a picturesque Quay, a friendly pub, and lovely walks from the doorstep. The Cathedral city of Truro is a 15-minute drive, while artsy bustling Falmouth, sandy beaches and gorgeous cliff walks, are within half an hour.
Cost
£300 for the full package above (3 x bed-and-breakfast, 3 x music-for-wellbeing, 3 x supper)
£270 for the above without evening meals.
Extra days can be added (bed-and-breakfast only) @ £50 per night.
Extra music experiences can be added @ £40.
Contact me here for current availability.
Things To Do Locally
Other than your Music-For-Wellbeing session each day, your time is free to do whatever you wish.
If you want to focus on a creative project, or really slow down and nurture yourself, you might want to stay local.
From the doorstep you can walk to picturesque Devoran Quay, along the pretty creekside 'Tram Road', or through the woods which are adorned with bluebells in Spring. There's a friendly pub in the village, and plenty of places to just sit and watch the world go by.
If you wish to explore more of Cornwall, within a short drive you can reach beautiful beaches, cliff walks, picturesque fishing villages, quaint harbours, and sub-tropical gardens.
The towns of Falmouth and St Ives are nearby, with quirky independent shops, local artist's galleries, great cafes, and sea views at every turn.
Slightly further afield, you could explore the stunning Lizard peninsula, wild and rugged West Penwith with its ancient moorland and stone circles, or take the King Harry Ferry over to the picturesque Roseland peninsula.
Music-For-Wellbeing
Your retreat includes one Music-for-Wellbeing experience per day.
If you mainly want to feel relaxed, refreshed and pampered, then I suggest a 'Sound Bath' on Saturday evening after supper, a 'guided meditation with live harp music' on Sunday, and a further 'Sound Bath' on Monday. For these experiences you just relax into my zero-gravity chair and let the peaceful, therapeutic sounds wash over you.
For more active music-making, you can mix-and-match from any of the following musical experiences, to create your own bespoke retreat experience. Most sessions are suitable for complete beginners, as well as for those who already sing or play a musical instrument :
Sound Bath
Allow yourself to be totally pampered. Ancient melodies played on the beautiful Celtic Harp, will be woven with gentle chimes, singing bowls, rainstick, ocean drum, and silence. Relax and let the gorgeous sounds wash over you.
Guided Nature Meditation
Experience a nourishing and nurturing meditation, inspired by nature. Relax and follow the sound of my voice, accompanied by gentle harp music and lullaby-style song.
Give-it-a-Go Harp Session
Have you ever fancied playing a harp? Well now is your chance! Borrow one of my harps, and I'll show you some really simple scales and finger exercises, and then show how you can put them together to create freely improvised music. Playing the melodious strings of a harp is a really magical experience.
Singing for Meditation and Contemplation
Another interactive experience. Learn techniques for Vocal Toning - a powerful meditation practise which also warms up the voice. Learn some simple spiritual chants and songs, which we will sing together. No experience necessary, although if you are already a singer we can create beautiful harmonies and explore a greater range of songs.
Music for Meditation and Contemplation
If you are bringing a musical instrument, I can show you how to use it as a tool for meditation and contemplation. If not, you can use my selection of chimes, singing bowls and percussion instruments to create your own soundscapes. No experience necessary.
Classical Guitar Taster Lesson
Have a go at playing the classical guitar. Learn the basic posture and hand positions, some simple finger exercises, and perhaps a short piece! If you wish to have a lesson on each day of your retreat, I can lend you a classical guitar to practise while you're here.
Classical Guitar Lessons
If you already play the classical guitar, you're welcome to arrange lessons as part of your retreat. I studied the classical guitar at the Royal College of Music, and have been teaching it for over 30 years.
Learn to Read Music
Learn the basics of reading music, covering rhythms, time-signatures and bar-lines, and the order of pitch-names. Choose this session on each day of your retreat for a fuller understanding of the basics, with exercises to take away and practise.
Extra Music Sessions
If you wish to immerse yourself more fully into the musical nature of this retreat, you can arrange extra sessions of your choice, at a reduced guest-rate of £40.
Contact me to Book your Retreat
Guest Reviews
"Wonderful, peaceful stay in a lovely house with a lovely host" - Michelle
"Absolutely perfect... clean and bright room... lovely location and amazing dinner... gorgeous garden to enjoy the sun" - Celie
"Great healthy food, warmth, cleanliness, serenity, peace, kindness. Will be back" - Chris
"Nicky was a wonderful host providing a really comfy and relaxed environment... the attention to detail made me feel so welcome" - Rosie
"I had a lovely, restful, peaceful stay... amazing breakfast with homemade granola, smoothies, and a beautiful garden to rest in" - Jenni
"Nicky's place for me was like living in a fairy tale" - Misha