Glastonbury is world-famous because the legendary music festival, which is held in nearby Pilton, Somerset. Glastonbury town, on the other hand, has a quiet fame.

It’s a small Somerset town with a big difference. A spiritual hub, it attracts healers, artists, astrologers, writers, alternatives and artisans of all kinds. For those of us who live here, it’s normal to bump into priestesses, blacksmiths, ecologists, breath workers, poets and historians daily.

Maybe it’s because the high street is lined with crystal shops, esoteric bookstores and vegetarian cafés. Or maybe it’s the presence of Glastonbury Tor – which adds a mysterious beauty to the local landscape. Whatever the reason, Glastonbury town draws people from all over the world who are looking for a different way of life, personal transformation, and a touch of magic.

At The Middlewick, we’re lucky to meet many of these heart-led pilgrims, and one aspect of our business that we love is our retreats.

An ideal location for a Glastonbury retreat

Set a small distance apart from the town centre but still within sight of Glastonbury Tor, The Middlewick is a 16-acre peaceful countryside sanctuary attracting retreats of all kinds, including yoga, writing retreats and sacred tour groups.

Many of our groups return annually, attracted by our stunning views of the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, flexible accommodation options, Spa facilities, catering, and access to our unique hexagonal yoga and mediation space.

The transformational power of a well-planned retreat

We receive dozens of enquiries each year for retreats and group stays at The Middlewick, and we thought it would be helpful to put together a guide for retreat facilitators hoping to host a stay with us.

Our aim is to simplify your planning process, answer your questions, and help make your event a superb success. As always, our friendly team is available to answer any questions you may have, so please contact us if you have any questions.

When should you hold your retreat?

Choosing the right season changes the energy and focus of your retreat, and there are also practical reasons to think about when to host your stay – such as the cost of a peak season booking versus a winter retreat.

Spring (March – May): renewal and rebirth

• Energy: Fresh spring vibes, spring blooms, new beginnings.
• Best for: Wellness and yoga retreats, setting goals and intentions, creative workshops, divine feminine retreats, using our indoor heated pool.
• Key dates: May Day/Beltane, Easter, Ostara/Spring Equinox.
• Logistics: Good availability, moderate pricing.

Summer (June – August): long days and abundance

• Energy: Peak energy, self-actualisation, connection, community, celebration.
• Best for: Large groups, tours of sacred sites, photography, long evening walks to the Tor, outdoor drumming and processions.
• Key dates: Litha/Summer Solstice, Lughnasadh/Lammas.
• Logistics: Peak season; must book well in advance. Higher rates.

Autumn (September – November): gratitude, harvest and magic

• Energy: Balance, peace, personal power, honouring the ancestors.
• Best for: Writing retreats, business planning, mindfulness and meditation. It’s still mild enough to walk and explore the local landscape.
• Key dates: Autumn Equinox, Samhain/Halloween.
• Logistics: Good balance of price and availability.

Winter (December – February): introspection and hygge

• Energy: Stillness, focus, and deep restoration of body and soul.
• Best for: Coaching, starling murmurations, personal development, shadow work, friend reunions and family get-togethers, swimming and steam sessions, and Spa treatments.
• Key dates: Yule/Winter Solstice, Christmas and New Year, Imbolc.
• Logistics: Lowest rates and most availability.

How long should your retreat last?

Long weekend (3 nights)

3 full days of immersion gives your guests enough time to disconnect from daily distractions and settle into the retreat, experience genuine breakthroughs, and allow for a rest and reintegration day before returning home. Consider Thursday – Sunday or Friday – Monday.

Remember to set aside some free time for a trip to Glastonbury, Spa treatments or walks in nature, to help your group recharge.

Deep immersion (4, 5 or 6 nights)

For those seeking mastery, certification, or complete rest, this is an ideal length of time. A longer stay (e.g. Thursday – Sunday, Wednesday – Sunday, or Monday – Sunday) is ideal for training and courses, healing and group work.

It also works well for writing retreats, as your guests will have time to produce a meaningful body of work. We recommend a mix of structured sessions and downtime to prevent burnout.

Full exploration / reconnection with self (7+ nights)

Longer stays work well for our groups touring sacred sites, with many exploring Glastonbury, Avebury, Stonehenge and Stanton Drew stone circles, before heading to Cornwall to see St Nectan’s Glen, Merlin’s Cave and Tintagel.

Our tour groups tend to travel from all over the world, including Europe, the USA and Canada. A longer stay helps with jetlag. We recommend visiting the best of Somerset and the UK – have you considered a Cider Farm tour, trip to Cheddar Gorge Caves or nearby Wells, England’s smallest city?

What about food?

There’s no getting around it – people need to be nourished and full before they can complete any kind of internal or external journey. Food is a core part of the retreat experience; it’s an opportunity to connect with each other and create lasting memories.

Our chefs understand specific dietary requirements (vegan, gluten free) and our menus are designed around local produce – some of which comes from our own gardens her at The Middlewick.

Self-catering vs catered

All our accommodation is self-catering, and our cottage kitchens are well-equipped, however, many of our retreat facilitators find that it is more expensive to bring their own chef – plus, it’s another aspect of the retreat to organise in advance. A fully catered retreat takes the stress out of your event and means that you can focus on what you do best.

How much to budget for food

We have set prices for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with nourishing, plant-rich meals that you can share as a group. We can also provide packed lunches for the days when you’re adventuring.

All we need is your vision for your food, itinerary and special dietary requirements, and we deliver your meals at the appointed time.

We offer a range of options, from simple, one-course vegetarian dishes to more elaborate, multi-course fine dining – perfect if your guests need a bit of meat and maybe a dessert. We are fully licensed and can offer delicious treats including cake and afternoon tea.

Let us know your numbers and your vision, and we’ll provide a simple per-person daily price for food which helps you budget.

How to choose your accommodation

We offer a mix of cottages (10), cabins (3) and glamping E-dens (3), including larger, shared cottages which are perfect for groups.

Our bigger properties, such as Mendip View (which is the ideal self-contained retreat house), can often make the most sense for your budget. We offer lots of flexibility and are happy to talk to you about what your guests need and expect before you book. What we can offer depends on availability, so please talk to us about your retreat as soon as possible.

Did you know? Middlewick Holiday Cottages are eco-friendly. We use environmentally friendly cleaning products, and energy comes from biomass boilers and solar panels. We provide eco friendly hand soap and shower gel in bathrooms. Each room is equipped with crisp white linen and fluffy towels.

How to make the most of our facilities

Group Room

Our Senary (“six-sided”) space is a quirky, luxurious standalone hexagonal building with underfloor heating, wraparound views, LED lighting in a full range of colours, and capacity for 16 for yoga or 40 seated. It’s a versatile space that you can use for meditation, shamanic work, dance, channelling, Pilates, or a mastermind… or turn into a temple space.

Bonus tips: the Senary sits under Glastonbury Tor and offers perfect acoustics for sound baths, which we can help you arrange. Surrounded by our land, it lends itself to processions (drumming is by arrangement). You can also book a fire pit, with wood supplied from our own land.

Spa Lounge

Depending on availability, the Spa Lounge is a useful space for evening gatherings, talks, and group meals.

Bonus tips: if your guests book a massage or holistic treatment with us, they will be admitted to the Spa lounge before being taken over to a unique shepherd’s hut therapy room where their treatment will take place.

Café and Farm Shop

Delicious coffee, breakfast and lunch is available in our café, which is close to our accommodation and group spaces. Depending on the size of your group, we can serve evening meals in the café, which is an A-rated eco-friendly building.

Bonus tips: Our café seats 70 indoors and more on the outdoor terrace. It can be hired exclusively for large events outside of normal hours. Your guests can purchase gifts in the farm shop – and take a little Somerset magic home with them.

Spa, indoor pool and steam room

Groups can book massages, facials, reflexology and reiki treatments with our experienced therapists and hire the steam room. All guests have free access to our indoor pool, which is heated to a toasty 30°C.

Bonus tips: our signature treatment is a blend of massage and Reiki, and we use natural, botanical and organic blends in our treatments.

Other facilities

• High-speed WiFi across the site
• EV charging points for guests arriving by electric car

Summary of our top tips

• Plan ahead: popular dates are booked well in advance, so secure your accommodation and group spaces with us as soon as possible.
• Plan free time: set aside a free afternoon for guests to do their own thing – explore Glastonbury town, the Abbey, walk up the Tor, or book a relaxing treatment with us.
• Build in flexibility: have a contingency day or backup plan for bad weather or schedule changes.
• Communicate clearly: make sure participants know exactly what’s included, what’s optional, and what to bring. Remind them of check in and check out times before and during your stay.
• Promote early: highlight our Spa, delicious food, the Tor walk, and group spaces to enhance the retreat’s value.

Ready to plan your retreat?

You have the vision and the expertise, and we have the location and experience. We also know our customer service is second-to-none. Contact The Middlewick team today to discuss your ideas, confirm availability, and secure your dates for a truly unforgettable Glastonbury retreat. We are so looking forward to hearing from you!