Sharpham House, a Grade 1-listed Georgian mansion set on wooded banks of the River Dart in South Devon's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, opens its doors to those seeking to begin or deepen a mindfulness practice. The retreats offer full-board accommodation where participants are cared for completely, with mindful dining on vegetarian and vegan food woven into the experience.
Why Setting Matters for Contemplative Practice
The choice of location in a retreat is never incidental. The Sharpham House setting—a historic building surrounded by natural beauty, positioned on the banks of a river, in an area designated for its outstanding landscape—creates conditions that support the inner work of meditation and awareness practice. When students arrive at a retreat, they step out of the noise and fragmentation of daily life into an environment specifically designed to help them return to stillness.
Full-board retreats remove the logistical burden of meal planning and cooking, allowing participants to focus entirely on their practice. The inclusion of vegetarian and vegan options reflects both the ethical dimensions often central to contemplative traditions and the practical recognition that lighter, plant-based eating can support clarity and energy during intensive meditation. Every structural detail—where you sleep, what you eat, the rhythm of the day—is held in service of the inner work.
Whether you are new to mindfulness or returning to deepen existing practice, a retreat at Sharpham House offers space for that intention to unfold. The combination of expert guidance, supportive community, nourishing food, and the natural environment creates the ground from which genuine transformation becomes possible.
Where to Go From Here
To learn more about upcoming mindfulness retreats at Sharpham House and to register, visit the Sharpham Trust's website at sharphamtrust.org. You can also follow their work on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube for updates on retreat dates and teachings.
