Media and feedback

Media coverage

Guest feedback

The idea of a wellness retreat can be intimidating – you may imagine lots of rules, too much uncomfortable silence, intense health regimes and spartan food – well, Weleda is the antidote to all that nonsense. The Weleda women – the experts who support you while you rest, relax, laugh, feast, learn and immerse yourself in Nature – are so refreshingly down-to-earth – both wise and wonderfully friendly, that there’s a real feeling of community and camaraderie throughout. Whether huddled around the fire pit, sharing stories, enjoying a restorative yoga class or learning how to take better care of your skin, everything feels generous, inclusive and warm. Whether you’re in need of deep rest, hearty nourishment, a good laugh or wonderful company, you’ll find it all here.
Emine Kali Rushton, Wellness author & practitioner, eminekalirushton.com
“Weleda Wellness Retreats aim to reconnect you with yourself and with the seasonality of nature, helping you to feel more rooted. It truly scooped me up, revived me and reminded me what was important. The three-night break is great value, guided by Weleda’s experts in nutrition, pharmacy and skincare and includes a mindful nature walk with their head gardener as well as gentle yoga.”
Victoria Woodhall, Editorial Director, Get The Gloss
“The atmosphere was so calm and relaxed, and the Weleda team were always on hand for any questions or connections…The food is incredible (I could happily become vegan permanently if I could bring those chef’s home!) Lapwing Barns is such a lovely home from home space, it feels very nurturing…what a relaxed, and truly inspirational retreat!”
Janey Lee Grace, Imperfectly Natural
“Billed as an all veggie, mainly vegan weekend, the array of beautiful, healthy and delicious meals coming from the kitchen were a revelation. Smoothies, soups, salads, wraps, porridge, shakshuka – the food not only reflected the season but mains cleverly combined leaf, root and flower or fruit, the principles of biodynamic growing and at the basis of Rudolf Steiner’s philosophy when he co-founded Weleda.”
Lisa Sykes, Editor, The Simple Things

One thing that stood out most about the Weleda Wellness Retreat was the sense of community between hosts, experts and guests. On the final evening, a log fire was lit outside. We were told to wrap up warm and grab our blankets as we were all going to sit around the fire – we thought they must be crazy, it’s March and it’s freezing! Once we were out there though, the sense of community and togetherness put a stop to all thoughts of the chilly temperature. Guests and hosts alike shared our experiences and gratitude for life – there was a sense of how lucky we all were to be in that moment in nature with one another.
Olivia Hartland-Robbins, Editor-in-Chief, Healthista

If you’re looking for a weekend of pure bliss in the beautiful Peak District then this is the one for you. It’s not really heavy on one specific thing (yoga, skincare etc.) but is a good balance of everything, with plenty of ‘me time’ peppered throughout to reflect and restore calm. So, if you’re looking to further understand your skin, your body, and nature cycles throughout the year at a slow pace, then you’ll love the Weleda retreat”.
Jess Bantleman, Social Media Editor, Women’s Health
“The Weleda Wellness Retreat offers the chance to escape for a little while and feel nurtured, whether you’re solo or with a friend. You will leave the retreat feeling revived, relaxed and ready to take on whatever life throws at you. A blissful and calming weekend that will fill you with food for mind, body, soul and of course skin.”
Lynda d’Aboh, Wonderlusting
“A wonderful treat to have time with my friends away from the day to day routine”

“Thank you so much for looking after us so well !”

“Lovely relaxing weekend – being looked after was such a novelty !  Can’t wait to come again”

“So glad I found your website !  Such a great idea and we have had a lovely relaxing time. Thank you !  We will be back”

“Relaxing and friendly, great to catch up with friends in a laid back setting.”

“The treatment was perfect, food amazing, host brilliant”

“Fabulous !  A great balance of enlightenment and rest… So many highlights… vision board, foot soak and cards session; the amazing mix of people” – Sam

“Fun, enlightening, insightful, inspirational, feeling of belonging [Highlight]…all sessions appeared to link into each other. Loved the footbath followed by talks. Meeting fabulous people who genuinely care. All speakers brought a wealth of experience, encouragement, belief and passion to their respective fields.” – Helen

“Fabulous [Highlight]…Being with like-minded individuals. Thank you – can’t wait for the next one !” – Nicki

“Interesting, informative, lovely and relaxed…[Highlight]… Meeting new and interesting people, bonding over sharing experiences, meals being prepared by someone else.” – Rabana

“Insightful, relaxing, mindful, educational and an overall feeling of warmth [Highlight]…connecting with a wonderful group of women, experiencing the workshops as a small group and revelations about resetting my future.” – Lynsey

“A great time to reflect, creating personal space to help get things back into perspective [Highlight]… spending time with great people who share similar interests and insights . The food ! The footbath !” – Sue

“It was lovely spending time together. It was really impressive that a number of strangers became really close and were able to share such an amazing time. Thank you so much ladies – I’ve had a wonderful time !” – Kat

“It’s been fantastic !  A real treat and a chance to hit pause on ‘real life’ and take some time out.  It’s a change to explore a beautiful areas, meet lovely new people and recharge. Perfect!’ – Lynsey

“A wonderful relaxing retreat with friends.  Really enjoyed the whole weekend.  Was lovely to get away to a beautiful part of the world, be waited on and cooked for. Just what we need in a busy life’ – Emily

“Another gorgeous retreat – thank you !’ – Amy

“Highlight: The freedom to choose how to spend out weekend and invest in ourselves (and I LOVED the massage with Anna)” – Tash

Food and company was amazing and cherished; location perfect”  – Nicki

“Absolutely brilliant ! Great host, great food, great surroundings and great company !” – Lisa

“Relaxing weekend, laughing with new friends, being spoilt… perfect!  I feel lucky to have found Secret Warriors, to have met such strong, amazing women and to be in a place in my life where I can come here and enjoy the weekend.” – Laura

“Exactly as advertised ! A def home from home. A lovely group of ladies. Ideal in every way. Ange  is a fabulous hose, nothing was too much trouble and totally engaging.” – Michelle

“A time to recharge myself in amazing accommodation, amazingly well organised.” – Janice

“Fabulous – perfect for 2 nights. It was so relaxing – the speakers/activities were all fabulous, the food amazing and what a beautiful part of the country – I loved being able to walk along the trail – perfect spot!” – Julie

Amazing ! A real retreat without any pressure. ” – Yuni

 “A perfect mix of me time, lovely company and all round nurturing ! Thank you for being an amazing host. Nothing was too much trouble 🙂 Thoroughly enjoyed my time out !”  – Bev

“A really lovely min-break. Although I hadn’t previously met the other guests, I honestly felt like I was on a girls’ weekend with friends. Totally relaxing from start to finish – thank you !” – Caz

“A lovely weekend – would lovely to be back.” – Charlotte

“(It was) …home from home, very relaxing, beautiful setting and wonderful people” – Laura

“Absolutely loved our visit this weekend. From start to finish Ange looked after us and was the perfect host! The cottage was beautiful, amazing food, lovely drinks, relaxing treatment ( I loved my reflexology) and the Pilates class was so informative and relaxing too. I can’t recommend Secret Warriors enough and will definitely be raving to all my mummy friends and toddler Sense mummies x” – Lisa

“An amazing experience – exactly what I needed! Ange had literally thought of everything and was the perfect host, we didn’t have to lift a finger. The food was beautiful, the venue perfect and loved the Pilates class! Beautiful scenery for a walk in the fresh air. Left feeling completely relaxed, reenergised and de-stressed. Would highly recommend this as a getaway with friends, works team building or just a girly treat! Thank you Ange for a perfect weekend x” – Sally

“We have just got back from the most amazing relaxing weekend in the Peaks. Ange was fabulous and had thought of absolutely everything from a beautiful place to stay, food, drink, pamper sessions and Pilates. Definitely recommend this 5 star service. Xxx” – Loretta

“I think the Secret Warriors statement on the website says it all really ???????? I’ve just been for the weekend with my team of franchisees and it was better than I imagined ???? Amazing accommodation, service, food, treatments, Pilates, everything from start to finish was first class!
This weekend was better than I imagined, I can’t wait to return. Well done Ange what a great set up thanks so much for looking after us! Your amazing x” – Carolyn

“Feeling refreshed, energised and relaxed after the most perfect weekend at Secret Warriors retreat with Ange. She was an amazing host, so welcoming and looked after us all from the moment we arrived until the moment we left. The accommodation was modern, spotlessly clean and comfortable. Food was amazing and our glasses and/or mugs never ran dry! (Mainly glasses ????????). Pilates was one of the high-lights for me! Left feeling so calm and relaxed. I’d highly recommend a getaway to Secret Warriors. Simply can’t fault it ????Thanks so much Ange for looking after us and making it such a memorable weekend for our team x” – Claire

“My night away with #SecretWarriors was amazing and I can back really refreshed and relaxed. Angela thought of everything and all the little touches were the icing on the cake! Definitely a great way to treat yourself to a well deserved break in a beautiful house and location too” – Emily

“Such a fantastic, relaxing night away.  It was so well organised and well thought through.  Loved the little touches and personal detail to everything. In just 24 hours I felt completely relaxed and pampered.” – Lindsay

“The break has been really relaxing and filled with so many activities to relax without making me feel lazy or too busy ! Perfectly balanced and great people for company in a beautiful house and location. So much more than I expected !” – Emily

“The back massage was the best I’ve ever had – I could have stayed there forever” – Penny

“A fantastic stay with wonderful, friendly people who chatted, laughed and enjoyed themselves. Ange was an excellent host and really did ensure every possible need was met. A real treat !” – Pauline

“An awesome back massage, the best one I’ve ever had” – Hannah

“I really enjoyed the weekend, so relaxed with great host and lost of healthy activities. The treatment was really good and going for a run in the Peak District was fab”- Charlie

“Highly recommend! 5⭐️ Ange has created something that is what we all need now and again to slow down and re charge. Just perfect! ????” – Lindsay

“I had such a wonderful weekend away. Thank you Ange for making me feel totally relaxed and refreshed. Attention to detail was fantastic and made the whole stay so enjoyable. I hope to book another retreat very soon! Xx” – Soph

“What an absolutely fantastic weekend !  From the moment I walked through the door I felt at home, welcome and relaxed! It was the perfect couple of days which did exactly what it said it would do…” – Louise

“As soon as I found out about the Secret Warriors Retreat I booked on.  What a brilliant idea for some much needed me time. My experience has been a mix between going to a spa and a hotel break, with the added benefit of having home comforts at hand.” – Amy

“Loved the treatment, such a lovely lady doing it. Loved how relaxed Ange was as a host, it made it that she never appeared stressed at any point. Enjoyed the afternoon drinks and then hot drinks later. Beautiful location out in the countryside.” – Sophie

“What an amazing weekend – perfect house and awesome host.  To have everything done for you – food, coffee, booze, tidying up etc, leaving you to relax and enjoy time makes a wonderful change.”- Luce

What an absolutely fantastic weekend !  From the moment I walked through the door I felt at home, welcome and relaxed! It was the perfect couple of days which did exactly what it said it would do…

Louise Mills

What an amazing weekend – perfect house and awesome host.  To have everything done for you – food, coffee, booze, tidying up etc, leaving you to relax and enjoy time makes a wonderful change.

Luce Holmes

As soon as I found out about the Secret Warriors Retreat I booked on.  What a brilliant idea for some much needed me time. My experience has been a mix between going to a spa and a hotel break, with the added benefit of having home comforts at hand.

Amy Ward

Such a fantastic, relaxing night away.  It was so well organised and well thought through.  Loved the little touches and personal detail to everything. In just 24 hours I felt completely relaxed and pampered.

Lindsey