A retreat shaped by earth, fire, sea and spring
Gathered by Nature is an intimate three-night retreat created for those longing to step away from everyday life, breathe more deeply and reconnect with the natural world.
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Hidden among the Suffolk countryside, five handcrafted timber lodges will become our home for a long weekend of yoga, deep rest, creativity, nourishing food and gentle adventure.
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We’ll move slowly, eat together, walk towards the coast and gather around the fire. There will be time to stretch, create, rest, read, talk, laugh and simply sit beneath the open sky with a warm drink in your hands.
This is not a retreat about filling every moment.
It is an invitation to notice more.
Walk. Notice. Gather. Create.
At the heart of the retreat will be a bespoke saggar firing experience.
During our coastal walk, we’ll slow down and responsibly gather small natural materials that catch our attention along the way.
Back at Toad Hall, you’ll use these fragments as part of the saggar firing of your own ceramic pot. The materials are placed around the pottery before it is wrapped and transformed through fire, leaving unpredictable tones, markings and textures across its surface.
No two finished pieces will ever be the same.
Your pot will become more than a beautiful object. It will hold an imprint of the Suffolk landscape and a lasting connection to your time on retreat.
No previous pottery or creative experience is needed. This is a process shaped by curiosity, nature and the willingness to release control over the final result.
Walk, breathe and be beside the sea
Southwold and the Suffolk coast are just a few miles from Toad Hall.
We’ll set out together for a mindful walk through the landscape, gathering suitable natural materials for our ceramic experience as we go.
At the coast, we’ll pause for gentle yoga, breathwork or meditation beside the sea. There will also be time to enjoy Southwold before we walk back together.
The walk and beach practice will be optional, with a gentler alternative available at Toad Hall. Plans may be adapted to suit the weather and the needs of the group.
Space to move and deeply rest
Throughout the retreat, Gemma will guide a carefully balanced programme of:
• Morning yoga and gentle movement
• Yin and restorative practices
• Sound healing
• Yoga nidra and guided relaxation
• Journaling and seasonal reflection
• Quiet moments in nature
Everything will be invitational, with options offered to suit different bodies and levels of experience.
You do not need to be flexible or experienced in yoga. You simply need to arrive as you are.
Wood, fire and water
The wood-fired sauna and cold plunge offer another opportunity to connect with the elements.
You can move between warmth and cool water at your own pace, or simply enjoy the quiet atmosphere around the fire. Participation in the cold plunge is always optional.
Gathering around the table
All meals and refreshments are included throughout the retreat.
We’ll gather around the communal table for relaxed, nourishing meals, with alfresco dining whenever the spring weather allows.
Food will be an important part of the experience, offering time to connect and share without rushing. Dietary requirements will be requested before the retreat.
Your lodge
Toad Hall has five individually handcrafted timber lodges surrounded by open Suffolk countryside.
The retreat welcomes just seven guests:
• Two twin lodges for four guests sharing
• Three king lodges for sole occupancy
Each lodge is warm, insulated and thoughtfully furnished, with its own private decking area, plus coffee making facilities.
A gentle note about outdoor living
This retreat has been created for those happy to embrace nature and a small sense of adventure.
One lodge has an ensuite bathroom. Each of the remaining lodges has its own allocated private shower room and toilet, located a short walk across the grounds. These facilities are private to your lodge and are not shared with other guests.
It may mean wrapping yourself in a warm layer, slipping on your shoes and stepping outside beneath the morning sky.
We believe this is part of the charm of staying somewhere so closely connected to nature, but want you to understand the setting before booking.
What is included
• Three nights’ lodge accommodation
• All meals, refreshments and snacks
• Alfresco dining
• All yoga, sound and relaxation sessions
• Guided coastal walk and mindful gathering
• Bespoke saggar firing workshop
• Your own ceramic pot
• Wood-fired sauna and cold plunge
• Retreat materials
• Time and space to rest
Travel to and from Toad Hall, personal purchases and optional spending in Southwold are not included.
Investment
Twin lodge, shared £525 per person
King lodge, sole occupancy £645* (Pebble Lodge £695 (has direct ensuite)
A £150 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your place. Monthly payment plans are available for the remaining balance.
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Because this is a boutique retreat for only seven guests, places are extremely limited.