A Little Luxury, a Lot of Wellness and an 8am Rave! Our Retreat at Norton Grounds, Cotswolds

From sound healing and delicious Thai food to yoga, countryside relaxation and a rave before breakfast, our stay at Norton Grounds was certainly one to remember!

This week, my husband Richard and I attended a press retreat at the beautiful Norton Grounds in the Cotswolds, and what an experience it was!

As soon as we entered the stunning grounds, we were greeted by owner Andy, who introduced himself and immediately made us feel right at home.

Now, I don’t know about you, but there’s something rather lovely about arriving somewhere and instantly feeling welcome. No awkwardness, no stuffiness, just genuine warmth and hospitality.

And let me tell you, Norton Grounds certainly knows how to make an impression!

Welcome to Norton Grounds – A Little Slice of Cotswold Heaven!

Nestled in the heart of the North Cotswolds, between Stratford-upon-Avon and Chipping Campden, Norton Grounds is a stunning 120-acre working farm estate and equestrian centre.

And when I say stunning, I really do mean it!

Surrounded by beautiful gardens, rolling farmland, wildlife-filled ponds and peacefully grazing horses, this place is the perfect escape from everyday life.

The estate blends centuries-old heritage with modern luxury and features two beautiful event barns, an all-weather tipi, the family farmhouse and four luxury self-catering holiday cottages, which can accommodate up to 20 guests.

Owners Clare and Andy Valender have been welcoming wedding parties and private event guests to their beautiful home since 2020, and you can tell how much love and care has gone into creating such a special place.

It’s luxurious without being pretentious, which I absolutely love. You don’t feel like you’re somewhere you shouldn’t touch anything. Instead, you’re encouraged to relax, unwind and enjoy the surroundings.

And believe me, we certainly did!

Norton Grounding – Wellness Without the Pressure!

One of the main reasons for our visit was to experience Norton Grounding, a new wellness programme launched on 7 October by Clare and Andy, with the help of local Festival PR and former yoga holiday organiser Sacha Taylor-Cox.

The programme offers weekly yoga and wellness experiences every Wednesday in Chipping Campden, alongside retreats, workshops and social events throughout the year.

What I particularly love about the concept is that it’s not about being the bendiest person in the room or competing with everyone around you.

Thank goodness for that, because I can barely bend down to pick something off the floor some days!

Instead, Norton Grounding focuses on gentle, restorative movement, relaxation, reducing stress and reconnecting with yourself.

It’s about slowing down, letting go of expectations and remembering that wellness should be enjoyable rather than another thing to add to our never-ending to-do lists.

Their weekly experiences include Gentle Flow, Restorative and Yin Yoga, sound healing, somatic movement, the Feldenkrais Method, meditative art workshops, holistic mat Pilates, Yoga Nidra, nutrition talks and sleep retreats.

And then there’s something called Breakfast Bounce.

An early morning coffee rave.

Yes, you read that correctly.

A RAVE.

Before breakfast!

More on that shortly, because I have a few things to say about dancing at 8am!

Our Home for the Night – Boddington Cottage

After meeting Andy, we were shown to our accommodation, the beautiful Boddington Cottage, which dates back to 1786.

And WOW!

The cottage was incredibly impressive, with so much space and the most beautiful, soft, cosy furnishings.

Everything felt warm, welcoming and luxurious.

The living area was perfect for relaxing, and the bedrooms were equally inviting.

But the bed…

Oh, the bed!

It was absolutely MASSIVE!

Honestly, if we hadn’t had a full day of workshops planned, I would have happily climbed straight into it and stayed there.

Sorry, Richard, but I think I fell in love with the bed first!

We also had a lovely welcome hamper waiting for us, which was such a thoughtful touch.

After settling in, we met some of the other influencers attending the retreat. Everyone was incredibly friendly, and as many of them were also from South Wales, we bonded pretty quickly.

It’s always lovely meeting new people, especially when you know you’re going to be spending the next couple of days experiencing new things together.

Sauna, Ice Plunges and Absolutely NO Chance of Me Getting My Hair Wet!

Richard and I decided to take a walk around the beautiful grounds and explore some of the facilities.

Norton Grounds has partnered with The Steamy Pheasant, who have introduced a wood-fired sauna and a mobile Defender plunge pool.

These facilities are available to guests and non-residents on Wednesdays, with 50-minute sessions, and to holiday cottage residents during the week.

Now, I love the idea of a sauna and an ice plunge.

The reality?

Well, that’s another story!

It was absolutely FREEZING outside, and neither Richard nor I could bring ourselves to put our swimwear on.

And, if I’m being completely truthful, I didn’t fancy getting my hair all frizzy either!

Priorities, people!

Instead, we watched some of the other influencers enjoying the facilities, and they certainly looked like they were having a fantastic time.

Maybe next time I’ll be brave enough.

Maybe.

Sauna bookings: https://www.thesteamypheasant.co.uk/

Winter Wellness and Nutrition with Victoria Thomas

Our next activity was a winter wellness nutrition talk with Victoria Thomas.

Now, I went into this session thinking we’d probably be told to increase our vitamin D and vitamin C intake during the winter months.

How wrong was I?!

Victoria discussed how the changing seasons can affect our diet, health and overall wellbeing, and I found the entire talk absolutely fascinating.

It was thought-provoking and made me reflect on my own health, particularly my autoimmune condition and the changes I’ve been experiencing during perimenopause.

I was genuinely blown away by how much I took from this session.

So much so that I’ve actually booked a meeting with Victoria to discuss my own health concerns in more detail.

I’ll be writing about that experience at a later date, so keep an eye out!

For me, this was one of those unexpected moments where you attend something thinking you’ll learn a little, but leave with so much more to think about.

Sound Healing with Carole Love – Just WOW!

After our nutrition talk, we headed to The Threshing Barn for a sound therapy session with Carole Love.

Now, I’ve attended many sound therapy sessions over the years, so I already had a pretty good idea of what to expect.

Or so I thought!

This session topped them all.

From the moment it began, I felt myself relaxing.

With every sound, I experienced what I can only describe as a deeply healing sensation throughout my body.

My mind, which is usually juggling about 400 thoughts at once, gradually became quieter.

For once, I felt like I could focus on one problem at a time rather than everything competing for my attention.

And let me tell you, that is something I desperately needed!

I left feeling calmer, clearer and genuinely grateful for the experience.

It was absolutely fantastic, and I would highly recommend giving sound therapy a try if you’re looking for a little relaxation and mental clarity.

Of course, everyone’s experience will be different, but for me, this session was incredibly special.

A Thai Feast That Even Impressed My Steak-Loving Husband!

After all that relaxation, it was time for food.

And let’s face it, food is always one of my favourite parts of any trip!

We headed to The Groves Barn, where we were treated to a beautiful vegetarian Thai meal prepared by Salee from Big Cheeks Thai.

Salee is also the author of Thai Cooking at Home, so it was a real privilege to have her cooking for our group.

And the food?

Absolutely EXQUISITE!

The flavours, textures and presentation were incredible.

As the meal was entirely vegetarian, I was more than happy to tuck in and fill my plate.

Everything was delicious.

And even Richard enjoyed it!

Now, you have to understand, my husband is very much a steak kind of man.

So when he enjoys a vegetarian meal, you know it’s something special!

We thoroughly enjoyed the food and the opportunity to sit, chat and get to know everyone a little better.

It was the perfect end to a wonderful day.

Back to the Cottage for Some Well-Deserved Relaxation

After our beautiful meal, we headed back to Boddington Cottage.

And I had absolutely no intention of doing anything remotely energetic!

We made ourselves comfortable on the lovely corner sofa, I enjoyed my sparkling water, and Richard treated himself to a glass of red wine.

We also shared a luxury chocolate bar from our welcome hamper.

Honestly, sometimes it’s the simplest things that make a stay special.

A beautiful cottage, a comfy sofa, good chocolate and absolutely nowhere else you need to be.

Bliss!

Eventually, we headed to bed, and I can confirm that the enormous bed was just as comfortable as it looked.

Unfortunately, our peaceful night’s sleep was interrupted by something rather unpleasant.

The alarm clock.

An 8am Rave?! Have We Lost Our Minds?

The alarm started ringing.

Oh, PLEASE, not yet!

I was so comfortable in that bed!

But we had somewhere to be.

And not just anywhere.

We were starting our morning with a RAVE!

Yes, lovely lot, an actual rave at 8am.

Never in my life did I imagine I’d be dancing to upbeat music at that time of the morning.

Usually, I’m still trying to work out what day it is while drinking my first cuppa!

But do you know what?

It was actually brilliant!

Breakfast Bounce, led by DJ Lisa Unique, was such a fun and energising way to start the day.

The music was fantastic, everyone was dancing, and the atmosphere was full of positivity.

Obviously, because of my disability, I had to take things a little easier than some of the others.

But that didn’t stop me enjoying myself.

The music had me buzzing, and seeing everyone around me letting their hair down made the experience even more special.

There was no pressure to dance a certain way or keep up with anyone else.

We just enjoyed ourselves!

And honestly, I felt so much more awake and ready to start the day afterwards.

Who knew an early morning rave could be so much fun?

Certainly not me!

The session finished with a lovely continental breakfast, giving everyone the opportunity to refuel after all that dancing.

I think I’d earned my breakfast!

Exploring the Grounds and Planning Our Return!

After breakfast, we had some free time to explore the estate, enjoy the peaceful surroundings and chat with Clare and Andy.

And yes, we’re already planning to stay again!

There really is something special about Norton Grounds.

The combination of beautiful accommodation, stunning countryside and genuinely welcoming hosts makes it somewhere you immediately want to return to.

We could easily imagine spending a few days here simply relaxing, exploring the surrounding Cotswolds and enjoying some quality time together.

But before heading home, we had one final activity planned.

Yoga!

Beginners’ Yoga with Sheryl Louise – And Richard Has Found a New Hobby!

Our final session was a gentle beginners’ yoga class with Sheryl Louise.

Now, because of my disability, I had to take things slowly and adapt some of the movements to suit my abilities.

But that’s exactly what I appreciated about the session.

There was no pressure to push beyond what felt comfortable.

We focused on gentle stretching, movement and relaxation.

And something rather interesting happened.

I noticed that my back pain eased somewhat while I was stretching and moving.

Now, I’m certainly not claiming yoga is a miracle cure, but I was pleasantly surprised by how I felt during the session.

In fact, I’ve been inspired to book some yoga classes when I return home.

And here’s the best bit…

RICHARD WANTS TO COME TOO!

My husband, who had never taken part in yoga before, genuinely enjoyed it.

He was so impressed that he’s asked to join me at the classes I’m planning to book.

Well, thank you, Norton Grounds!

You’ve managed to find an exercise my husband actually enjoys!

That’s an achievement in itself!

An Unexpected Ending – Thanks to a Car Tyre!

After yoga, the rest of the group were preparing for a deep meditation session.

Unfortunately, Richard and I had to leave a little earlier than planned because we were having trouble with our car tyre.

Typical, isn’t it?

You spend two days relaxing, unwinding and finding your inner peace, only for a car tyre to remind you that real life is still waiting!

I was genuinely disappointed to miss the meditation, but we needed to get the tyre sorted so we could make it home safely.

Not quite the relaxing ending we’d planned, but these things happen!

Would I Recommend Norton Grounds? Absolutely!

All in all, our stay at Norton Grounds was fantastic.

From the moment we arrived to the moment we left, we felt welcomed, comfortable and genuinely cared for.

The accommodation was beautiful, the grounds were breathtaking, and the wellness experiences were thoughtfully planned.

But what really stood out to me was the atmosphere.

Everything felt relaxed, friendly and down to earth.

There was no pressure to be perfect, no competition and no expectation to push yourself beyond your comfort zone.

Just an opportunity to slow down, reconnect with yourself and enjoy some wonderful experiences.

I particularly loved the sound therapy, nutrition talk and beginners’ yoga.

And, of course, I’ll never forget my first 8am rave!

Planning a Retreat? Norton Grounds Could Be the Perfect Venue!

As well as welcoming guests to their luxury holiday cottages, Norton Grounds offers its beautiful estate for private events, weddings and organised retreats.

The entire venue can be hired by retreat organisers, yoga teachers and wellness professionals looking for somewhere special to host their own events.

With its beautiful barns, accommodation, peaceful countryside and welcoming hosts, I can certainly see why it would make such a fantastic retreat location.

And if you’re simply looking for a little midweek wellness, the Norton Grounding programme offers public sessions every Wednesday.

Whether you’re interested in yoga, Pilates, sound healing, nutrition or simply taking some time for yourself, there’s plenty to explore.

Location: Norton Grounds, near Chipping Campden, North Cotswolds

Weekly wellness: Wednesdays: Happenings & Retreats | Norton Grounds

Sauna bookings: https://www.thesteamypheasant.co.uk/

For the latest retreat dates, wellness sessions, accommodation availability and prices, contact Norton Grounds directly.

Our Final Thoughts

Would we go back?

100% YES!

In fact, we’ve already been talking about booking another stay.

Norton Grounds offered us the perfect combination of luxury, relaxation, beautiful surroundings and new experiences.

I came away feeling inspired to make more time for my wellbeing, to explore yoga further and to take a closer look at how I can better support my own health.

Richard discovered that he actually enjoys yoga.

And we both discovered that an 8am rave isn’t quite as ridiculous as it sounds!

So, if you’re looking for a peaceful Cotswold escape, a wellness experience or somewhere to organise your next retreat, I’d definitely recommend looking into Norton Grounds.

A huge thank you to Clare, Andy and everyone involved for making our stay so memorable.

We’ll certainly be back!

And next time?

I might even brave that ice plunge.

Although I’m making absolutely no promises about getting my hair wet!

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Press stay disclosure: Richard and I attended Norton Grounds as guests on a press retreat. This review reflects our own experiences and opinions, including the things we loved, the activities we tried and the ones we didn’t quite manage!

Wellness experiences are personal and results vary. My comments about relaxation, pain and wellbeing describe my own experience rather than medical claims.