Wellness retreats have been all the rage for the last couple of years, but now, more than ever, after being cooped up on lockdown for the best part of three months, the idea of getting away from it all (kids and partners included) to embark on some wild woodland yoga and forest bathing is simply nothing short of bliss. Here Travel Expert Lyndsey Thomas tells us all about her experience at the beautiful Camp Katur in North Yorkshire.

Forest bathing (no water involved) originates from Japan and is the practice of a process of relaxation; know in Japan as shinrin yoku. The simple method of being calm and quiet amongst the trees, observing nature around you whilst breathing deeply helps one to de-stress and boosts health and wellbeing in a natural way. Sounds heavenly doesn't it? 

Last year I was introduced a lovely lady called Emma who is the founder of Emmas Dale Retreats in Yorkshire. Emma hosts fully-catered experience-driven retreats within the Yorkshire Dales & beyond. 

Her multi-day wellness retreats, which run for an average of three days, are all about learning new skills, being active, eating delicious food, taking time out, meeting like minded people, and being inspired to be yourself.

She runs the retreats in a number of locations across Yorkshire, one being the unique and wonderfully whimsical Glamping site - Camp Katur in North Yorkshire. I was lucky enough to stay at Camp Katur back in 2019 and it really something else. 

Camp Katur is nestled in the middle of the woods in Yorkshire's Camp Hill Estate. It is strategically laid out so each and every glamper feels like they are in the middle of nowhere, but yet close enough to other fellow glamping residents to allow for a gathering around the camp fire on an evening, in the huge communal tepee - the centre point of the site.

Bell tents, the Hobbit pods, geo-domes, uni-domes, tepees, safari tents and Betty’s caravan make up the accommodation options available to guests. It really is something else, and so much more than just a glamp site. 

Emma hosts her Yoga, Paddle Boarding & Forest Bathing retreat at Camp Katur on a number of weekends throughout the year. 

The all-inclusive two-night retreat, which costs £249 per person, promises lots of fun, great food, relaxation and new friends. 

This retreat boasts yoga sessions in Camp Katur's amazing woodland glass dome, looking out over the incredible natural habitat of the estate. Stand up paddle-boarding sessions take place at Ellerton Lake in Richmond - don't worry if you've never done it before, an instructor is on-hand to teach you all you need to know. 

A 90-minute forest bathing session is one of the highlights on this retreat, and promises to connect you with nature on another level. 

Evenings consist of relaxing in wood burning hot tubs and saunas, and BBQ dinners under the stars (or in the BBQ pod is the weather isn't behaving).

You'll most definitely fall into a deep sleep in your safari tent or hobbit pod after all that fresh air, yoga, paddle-boarding and forest bathing. 

This really is wellness and relaxation on another level. 

Read my review of Camp Katur: 

REVIEW |  Hot Tub Woodland Glamping at Bears Place – Camp Katur in North Yorkshire

https://girlabout.co.uk/hot-tub-woodland-glamping-at-bears-place-camp-katur-in-north-yorkshire/