Broughton Sanctuary Launches 2026 Retreat Series Rooted in Depth, Purpose and Health
As the global wellbeing conversation continues to evolve beyond surface-level self-care, Broughton Sanctuary announces its 2026 retreat series: a carefully curated programme of immersive experiences designed to support united health — integrating mind, body, spirit, culture, community and connection to place.
Hosted at the Sanctuary’s award-winning Avalon Wellbeing centre, the 2026 programme responds to the realities of contemporary life, from stress and burnout to neurodivergence, ecological disconnection and the ethical challenges of rapid technological change. The retreats favour depth over distraction, drawing on philosophy, psychology, contemplative traditions and land-based practice to offer meaningful, long-lasting impact.
Alongside returning favourites, Broughton welcomes an exceptional group of retreat leaders in 2026, including Elena Brower, Mark Vernon, John Butler and Dr Sharon Blackie. Much-loved programmes with Ruby Wax and the Zen Samurai Retreat also return, reinforcing Broughton Sanctuary’s position as one of the UK’s most progressive destinations for intelligent, purpose-driven wellbeing.
BROUGHTON SANCTUARY - 2026 RETREAT HIGHLIGHTS
NEW FOR 2026: A Psyche the Size of the Earth – Creating a New Mythology of Place with Dr Sharon Blackie
Dates: 23-28 February 2026
Status: Sold out. Applications accepted for the next retreat
Why it’s unique: Led by acclaimed writer, psychologist and mythologist Dr Sharon Blackie, this much-loved retreat explores the deep relationship between psyche, myth and land. Rooted in European mythic and spiritual traditions, the programme invites participants to reconnect with what James Hillman called “a psyche the size of Earth” — an animate world alive with meaning, intention and story. Through land-based practices, storytelling, writing, journeying and map-making, learn to listen to the dreaming of the land and rediscover a sense of belonging within it. Grounded in mythology and archetypal psychology, the retreat offers a profound re-enchantment of self and place, weaving ancient wisdom into contemporary lives. Widely regarded as a seminal experience at Broughton Sanctuary.
NEW FOR 2026: Wild Brains – The Assembly
Dates: 7-11 March 2026
Price from: All-inclusive ticket: £2,250 | Self-catered event ticket: £1,860
Why it’s unique: Wild Brains is designed specifically for neurodivergent adults, offering a flexible retreat structure that supports focus, creativity and meaningful connection without sensory or social overload. The programme is tailored to neurodivergent entrepreneurs, creatives and changemakers, and reframes neurodivergent thinking as a strength, combining thoughtful pacing, optional participation and collaboration.
NEW FOR 2026: Abiding in Truth – Easter Devotional Retreat with John Butler, Supported by Mark Vernon
Dates: 2-6 April 2026
Price from: £1,200 per person in a single occupancy room
Why it’s unique: This Easter devotional retreat is led by John Butler of Spiritual Unfoldment, supported by writer and philosopher Mark Vernon, offering light co-facilitation through dialogue, reflection and short pilgrimages. ‘Abiding in Truth’ creates space for stillness, inquiry and devotion — inviting participants into what John calls ‘THIS’: a grounded encounter with presence and truth, personal and universal, held within the contemplative rhythm of Easter.
NEW FOR 2026: Hold Nothing: Strength, Subtlety and Inner Peace with Elena Brower
Dates: 10-17 May 2026
Price from: £2,000 per person in a single occupancy room
Why it’s unique: Led by internationally renowned yoga teacher, author and Zen practitioner Elena Brower, this week-long retreat integrates embodied movement, meditation, reflective writing and inquiry. Designed to cultivate sustainable inner steadiness and clarity, Hold Nothing offers a disciplined yet spacious approach to wellbeing, prioritising long-term integration over short-term escape.
NEW FOR 2026: Human Flourishing in the Age of AI
Dates: 29 August - 4 September 2026
Price from: By invitation
Why it’s unique: Delivered in partnership with Harvard University and the Happiness Foundation, this invitation-only retreat explores human flourishing in an era of rapid technological change. Through interdisciplinary dialogue and embodied practice, participants examine intelligence beyond automation and productivity, reconnecting with ethics, wisdom, relational intelligence and purpose. Applications are welcomed.
A Ruby Wax Retreat
Dates: 1-4 March 2026
Price from: £1,500 per person in a single occupancy room
Why it’s unique: Mental health advocate and bestselling author Ruby Wax returns with a practical and compassionate toolkit for managing stress and modern life pressures. Combining mindfulness, neuroscience, psychology and humour, the retreat delivers evidence-based insights in Wax’s trademark accessible and heartfelt style.
Zen Samurai Retreat
Dates: 18-21 June & 12-15 November 2026
Price from: £3,300 per person (+ mandatory equipment fee of £375)
Why it’s unique: Returning in a year that coincides with a major British Museum exhibition re-examining Samurai history, this retreat offers an authentic immersion into a living Samurai lineage. Blending Bushido philosophy, Zen meditation, sword arts, calligraphy and mindful movement in nature, the programme provides a disciplined exploration of focus, presence and embodied awareness unlike any other retreat in the UK.
Embassy of the Future: The Dawn We Choose
Dates: 22-26 June 2026
Price from: £1,500 per person in a single occupancy room
Why it’s unique: The Embassy of the Future convenes leaders, innovators and changemakers to help shape the stories that will guide what comes next. Through dialogue, imagination and shared inquiry, participants explore how civilisation might evolve beyond today’s limits. Led by futurists Benjamin J. Butler and Yuri van Geest, the Embassy creates a space to step into the future, work backward and re-examine leadership, responsibility and collective wellbeing. Each gathering draws on place, conversation, and storytelling as tools for intentional future-making.
Visions for the Future
Dates: 14-18 October 2026
Price: £3,000 per person | By application
Contact: edwardolver@broughtonsanctuary.co.uk
Why it’s unique: Now in its seventh year, Visions for the Future is a pioneering gathering that brings together a growing community committed to the journey from wellbeing to Welldoing. Rooted in the understanding that inner transformation is the catalyst for outer change, the programme explores a reciprocal relationship with life through service and devotion, recognising that inner and outer nature are one and the same.
Drawing on mythology, archetypal psychology, systems thinking and land-based practice, Visions for the Future creates a space to move beyond fragmentation and polarisation, rediscovering coherence within the self, within community and within the living world. Conceived as a living laboratory for conscious evolution at Broughton Sanctuary, it invites participants to transmute insight into action — reimagining leadership, responsibility and human purpose in service of a more connected, compassionate future.
For full details of all upcoming retreats at Broughton Sanctuary, visit www.broughtonsanctuary.co.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS
About Broughton Sanctuary and Avalon Wellbeing
Located in the Yorkshire Dales, Broughton Sanctuary is the only accredited Healing Hotel in the United Kingdom. The accolade recognises its commitment to wild wellbeing through immersive retreats, innovative rewilding initiatives and sustainability. The Sanctuary was named one of the world’s 30 coolest places to visit in 2024 by National Geographic Traveller and commended as “one to watch” in the Rest of the World Responsible Tourism Awards.
Broughton Sanctuary offers 98 bedrooms across historic and nature-immersed accommodation, from the 16th-century Broughton Hall to off-grid Hermit Huts and Sanctuary Homes. Home to one of the UK’s leading nature recovery projects, with over 320,000 trees planted, activities include wild swimming, woodland saunas, forest bathing, ice bathing, sweat lodges, fire ceremonies, meditation labyrinths and moon baths. Plant-based dining is served at the walled garden bistro Utopia, with bespoke catering available throughout the estate.
At the heart of the Sanctuary lies Avalon Wellbeing, conceived by owners Roger Tempest and Paris Tempest as the estate’s wellbeing hub. Featuring thermal facilities, studio spaces and specialist treatment rooms, Avalon hosts residential retreats, daily yoga and meditation, workshops and a wide range of therapeutic practices.
Together, Broughton Sanctuary and Avalon Wellbeing are recognised as one of the UK’s most progressive destinations for depth-led, future-facing wellbeing.