The Couple’s Getaway
You are invited to steal away for a weekend and retreat from the world. Bonsall offers the perfect environment to get away from it all, to fully rest and recharge. Sink into the glorious views, inhale the crisp air and dive into as many activities as you like, followed by a deeply peaceful night’s sleep. We offer a range of packages to suit your individual needs, from full pampering and relaxation, to tailor-made therapies, to getting back to our wild nature. From simple ingredients to fully done for you catering, you choose and we’ll take care of the details.
Where you’ll be staying
Private Your hideaway for the weekend will be a magical, spacious open-plan 17th Century barn, converted in 1960s as an artists’s studio. Indulged with a weekend of long, hot baths and toasting up the wood burning stove. The most perfect replenishing menu has been prepared for you and your massage will be arriving any moment. Activities have been planned and all you need do is relax. Everything is taken care of.
The accommodation
The accommodation is comprised of a large open-planned living and dining area with adjacent kitchen and bathroom and mezzanine bedroom as well as meditation area. Behind its thick stone walls you will feel cosy and cocooned from the elements. Outside, you will have private access to a terrace and dining area (including BBQ), as well as a large secluded garden with its prominent ancient ash tree that stands guard over the surroundings.
The space is designed from top to bottom for mindful living, it demands that you slow down. With everything done to retain its historical integrity and rustic charm, you will feel transported back in time to 1960s. Though a projector is available, you will not find any screens in the Studio Barn, allowing the nervous system to fully indulge in the peace and tranquility of the blackbirds and wood pigeons that coo at dawn and dusk. Let the senses to open to the crispness of the air rolling off the hills. Standing outside you will be able to feel the stillness at night, drinking in its goodness as you listen to the owls chant their gentle farewells.
The activities
Your starter package includes two main activities for the weekend including one relaxation and one nature connection, to be tailored to your heart’s desire and based on seasonal availability (and weather).
An example itinerary could include a guided foraging walk in the neighbouring fields and woods with a master forager and certified medical herbalist, Anna. With’s Anna’s expert guidance, the woodland will begin to come alive and you will never see a walk in the same way again.
Return for the afternoon, put the kettle on and light the fire whilst your own personal masseuse or reflexologist will arrive to provide a treatment to allow you to relax into the evening.
Additional packages and activities available from the menu; book a call to discuss your perfect weekend.
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Foraging walk - approx 2 hrs
Be immersed in stories, learn about the wild flora of the Peak District and enjoy a cup of foraged tea on a seasonally-led, personalised guided walk with medical herbalist, Anna.
Bird walk - approx 2 hrs
Learn about species with a range of tours available from birds to butterflies, moths and even bats (season pending) with our friends at a local regenerative farm.
Equine experience - approx 2 hrs
Experience the magic of working with horses to connect with yourself and nature using non-verbal communication in this subtle and powerfully profound equine experience.
Guided walks - approx 2 hrs
Explore a number of paths around the many famous walking routes of Bonsall with mindful walk leader, ranger and bushcraft teacher, Mike.
Flower picking - approx 2 hours
(Saturday mornings, April-Sept)
Visit our local flower farm for a short tour before choosing your own personal selection of local, seasonal and chemical-free flowers to take home with you. Just like being in a sweetie shop!
Fire making skills - approx 2 hours
Experience the mindful enjoyment of gathering your own sustainable kindling on a woodland walk around Bonsall before mastering the art of lighting a fire without firelighters!
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Wild cookery class - approx 3 hrs
Join our master forager, restauranteur, presenter, educator and sustainable chef, Tim, for a live cooking workshop where you will learn core skills whilst preparing a recipe to enjoy.
Art therapy - approx 3 hrs
Time to unwind with our qualified art therapist who can guide and support you to explore themes and topics or simply relax using a range of art materials.
Pottery making - approx 3 hrs
Try your hand at the mindful art of pottery making by sculpting your very own creation (off the wheel). You will be taught the basics and shown how to glaze your own piece to finish and take home.
Creative writing - approx 3 hours
Let the hills be your muse and you learn the fundamentals of creative writing skills and unleash your inner voice.
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Massage - 60 mins
Indulge in the luxury of being pampered at home with a relaxing Swedish massage (or Indian head massage) tailored to your individual aches or pains, or simply enjoy a soothing full body massage.
Reflexology - 45 mins
Relax and unwind into a reflexology treatment like no other. Shelley will melt away any problems areas and leave you feeling relaxed and rejunated like never before in this deeply reslxing experience.
Reiki - 45 mins
Experience the peacefulness of this Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that can also benefit many health conditions. Leave feeling uplifted, rejuvenated and deeply relaxed.
Learn to meditate - approx 1 hr
Ever wanted to learn but struggled to meditate? It’s not as hard as you think. Learn how to master the mind with your own personal meditation teacher and guide.
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The following activities and experiences are available on request or as bespoke adds ons to make the experience extra special, should you be celebrating a certain something, all uniquely tailored to you and your Getaway…
The Secret Picnic
We can arrange for your perfect romantic picnic hamper to be delivered to your activity or walk, with a bottle of fizz ready to greet you.
Photography
Mark the moment with your own personalised photographer to capture a special occasion.
Additional therapies
We work with a number of quality certified professional practitioners in a range of therapeutic services from a bespoke medical herbal consultation, psychotherapy, yoga for stress, life coaching, breathwork, NLP and hypnotherapy.
Transportation
Transfers from local stations Cromford/Matlock, Derby rail station, or further afield, available on request (subject to availability).
The food
A seasonal menu has been lovingly prepared especially for you by our master forager and sustainable chef, using the most innovative and in-season plant-based ingredients, hand-picked and sourced from our local organic producers. Food to feel good about inside and out.
You will have the option of a personalised food hamper; a recipe box of delicious ingredients for your chosen menu; or fully done-for-you meals ready to simply heat up. The choice is yours.
A drinks hamper is also available bringing together all of our favourite selections from local vineyards, brewers and distilleries, proudly made in Derbyshire.
The location
Bonsall is a safe and friendly village in the heart of The Peaks, surrounded by luscious green hills, animals and plenty of walking routes including the Limestone Way. The village itself is an old leading mining village and offers a choice of two great pubs and a tea room. Our nearest village is Cromford where you will find the award-winning Scarthin Books offering delicious brunch and cakes, or you may wish to dip into the ancient thermal spring water pool at Matlock Bath. Other nearby towns include fairtrade Wirksworth with its farmer’s market, artisan coffee shops and independent restaurants. Matlock is also nearby where you can take a cable car in summer to ‘Little Switzerland’ or take a stroll around the Antique Emporium. Chatsworth House is a 30min drive from Bonsall where you can enjoy breathtaking house and gardens or take a plunge in the river Derwent.
What’s included
Accommodation
Two night minimum stay in the Studio Barn with exclusive use of facilities, including private terrace and garden, barbecue, and wood burner.
The best of local
You will provided maps of the local area, as well as an extensive number to choose from, right from the door. Your host will be on hand to make any personalised local area recommendations to explore.
All inclusive food
All of the healthiest, local and seasonal goods. Choose from a bespoke handpicked hamper; your own recipe box of delicious seasonal dishes; or freshly cooked just for you to enjoy.
Provisions
All linen, towels, robes, hemp logs, tennis rackets, yoga mats, record player, projector, books, meditations and bath oils.
Treatment or Therapy
Your choice of treatment for the two; from massage, reiki or reflexology.
Nature connection
Your choice of activity from a foraging walk, guided mindfulness walk, group bird watching, fire making or picking your own flowers from the local farm.
Treats
More goodies to take away and remember your time away.
Amenities
Accommodation comes complete with:
Free on-site parking
Large garden & terrace dining area
Fire pit & BBQ
Wood burning stove
500mb broadband
Smeg fridge/freezer & drinks fridge
Gas cooker & electric oven
Dishwasher, kettle, toaster
Cutlery, crockery, cookware & glasses
Bath & hand shower
Hair drier & hair straighteners
Ironing & hanging facilities
Networked smoke alarms
Gas central heating
Workspace
Meditation area & yoga mats
Tennis rackets and boule set
Boards games & oracle cards
Books, records & maps
On hand help & advice
Special note: The accommodation is very much your own, private and secluded country getaway experience, very far from your typical hotel or resort. Every effort has been made to preserve the historic integrity of the barn, which oozes with character and rustic charm. The barn is designed for slow, mindful living; the antithesis of mod cons. During your stay you will probably be enjoying aromatherapy baths as standard, observe vintage paint splodges on the floor, spy cobwebs and a very friendly fluffy cat visitor who answers to the name Flossie.
Pricing
All of the above inclusions form your weekend package starting from £225pp per night.
Choose from one of the packages below, or build your own bespoke bundle including how many days you’d like to retreat yourself, your favourite activities and food options. Let us discuss your dream Getaway and we will build a program that’s tailor made to you.
The Lavender
This package includes:
Two night’s accommodation
One exclusive guided walk
One 60min relaxation treatment per person
Personlised recommendations
Seasonal food hamper
Takeaway goodies
Robes, linen, logs & cleaning
Price: £225pp per night
The Rosehip
This package includes:
Two night’s accommodation
One nature connection activity
One exclusive guided walk
One bird walk or flower picking
One 60min relaxation treatment per person
Personalised recommendations
Personalised recipe box food package & booze hamper
Personalised takeaway goodies
Robes, linen, logs & cleaning
Price: £300pp per night
The Oud
This package includes:
Three night’s accommodation
One bespoke creative workshop activity
One nature connection activity
One bird walk or flower picking
One 60min relaxation treatment per person
Personalised recommendations
Personalised done-for-you meals & booze hamper
Personalised takeaway goodies
Robes, linen, logs & cleaning
Price: £250pp per night
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”
Leonardo Da Vinci