Claire Whalley, founder and director of The Yoga for Life Project, leads a collection of nourishing, reviving, and therapeutic yoga retreats in some of the most beautiful retreat settings across the UK, Europe, and India.
Across a long weekend or a full week, these retreats are designed to offer genuine respite from daily routines and the pressures of modern life. Guests are invited to slow down, feel restored, and return home with renewed energy, a lighter spirit, and a smile in the heart. Each retreat includes morning meditation or a silent walk to deepen presence and awaken the senses to the natural world, morning yoga, evening restorative yoga, and yoga nidra, the practice of conscious sleep. When weather allows, sessions take place outdoors. Yoga philosophy is woven into the classes, supporting a deeper understanding of self and a more meaningful way of living. Claire also shares the mental and physical benefits of year-round outdoor swimming, with visits to inspiring sea and river locations. There are also opportunities for relaxation, walking, and massage, and on some retreats, art, foraging, and cooking. Food is locally sourced and home cooked.
Set in the heart of rural Devon, between Exmoor and Dartmoor, this retreat unfolds in a stunning landscape surrounded by open fires, peaceful gardens, and a beautiful 16th-century cob and thatch home. It offers a chance to step away from the usual path and into a timeless, deeply peaceful environment. Here, tension can soften and release. With Dartmoor close by, guests can enjoy some of the most inspiring freshwater swims in crystal-clear rivers and magical pools, with breathtaking views all around.
In winter, Claire Whalley guides a cocooning experience focused on rest, nourishment, and restoration. Spring brings renewal and fresh beginnings, summer offers space to recharge and embrace vitality, and autumn encourages release, openness, and acceptance. Through breathwork, meditation, vinyasa and hatha yoga, yoga nidra, and time immersed in nature, the nervous system is supported in unwinding and letting go of stored tension. The intention is to leave feeling revived, restored, and positively reset.
Nourishing, freshly cooked vegetarian cuisine is served throughout, using locally sourced ingredients. All food requests can be catered for. Guests can also enjoy the restorative energy of the countryside and the refreshing waters, returning home with renewed purpose and a sense of new beginnings.
Dates: 24-26 July, 31 July-2 August, 7-9 August, 28-30 August, 4-6 September, 2-4 October, 30 Oct-1 Nov, 20-22 November, 4-6 December.
Nearest station: Crediton (2hr 15' journey from London Paddington). Early booking is advisable.
Prices: £495pp (2-night) in a double room, single or shared occupancy; £450 (2-night) mezzanine single upstairs; £450 (2-night) mezzanine single garden room downstairs; £435 (2-night) barn house in neighbouring garden; £450pp glamping yurt for two; £395 (2-night) bring tent and camp in garden. An extra night is £150. Bring a Friend and receive 10% off for both guests. Returning yogis also receive 10% off their booking.
For a winter warmer with a focus on renewal, Claire Whalley joins swim coach Angus McChesney for a retreat that combines yoga, sea dips, and sauna time. Angus leads invigorating coastal swims with views of the Isle of Wight, followed by warming and relaxing sauna sessions. Claire offers restorative yoga that supports the slower, more nourishing rhythm of autumn and winter. Before breakfast, guests are guided through breathwork and meditation to connect with inner stillness, and at sundown, a gentle restorative yoga practice and yoga nidra help release physical and emotional tension and prepare the body for deep sleep. A nourishing massage is available as an additional extra. Vegetarian or vegan meals, locally sourced from Tiptoe Lodge’s garden, provide wholesome sustenance. Guests may also have the opportunity to join an art class with artist Annabel Eyres.
Dates: 17-19 July, 18-20 September.
Prices: £450 for the glamping yurt for 2; £550 for a shared room; £550 for a single room. Bring a Friend and receive 10% off for both guests.
This therapeutic yoga retreat offers body and mind the space to nourish, restore, and heal. Claire Whalley and specialist chef/nutritionist Daphne Lambert guide a few days of calm, support, and nourishment for the body, mind, and soul. Claire leads meditation, breathwork, and reviving restorative yoga practices tailored to individual needs. Optional discussion sessions encourage openness and acceptance, while gentle walks through the gardens and woods of Cottage Farm, home to a heated pool, offer time to reconnect with nature.
Guests are served delicious plant-based dishes made from fresh seasonal produce, designed to support the body’s natural self-repair and leave each person feeling revived, balanced, and at ease. Daphne also offers a kitchen demonstration.
Dates: TBA.
Prices: Single room: £500. Shared room: £450pp.
This charming cottage offers a comfortable and practical stay for small groups or families looking for a relaxing retreat setting. Thoughtfully arranged across its living spaces, it combines privacy, convenience, and a welcoming atmosphere for a restful experience.
With two bedrooms and shared living areas, the cottage is well suited to guests who want both togetherness and space to unwind. The reception room creates a pleasant place to gather, while the kitchen and bathroom support a comfortable independent stay. Whether you are visiting for a peaceful escape or a wellness-focused getaway, this cottage provides a simple, homely base to settle in and feel at ease.
Nestled close to the forest, this cosy cottage offers a peaceful setting for guests looking to unwind in nature. The tranquil surroundings create an inviting atmosphere for slow mornings, restful evenings, and time away from the pace of everyday life.
Designed for comfort and simplicity, the cottage is a welcoming choice for a relaxing stay, whether you are planning a quiet escape, a restorative wellness break, or a private weekend retreat. After a day spent outdoors, the sauna adds an extra layer of warmth and relaxation, making it easy to fully switch off and recharge.
With its intimate feel and natural location, this cottage is ideal for those who appreciate privacy, fresh air, and a calm environment. It’s a lovely place to settle in, enjoy the forest nearby, and experience a slower rhythm in a cozy setting.
Claire Whalley
Angus McChesney
Daphne Lambert
Annabel Eyres
