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Spring Renewal Weekend Retreat
New Forest
27th - 29th March 2026
at The Minstead Centre in the heart of the New Forest
Harmony Singing, Sound Healing, Meditation, & Creativity
in Stunning Nature
with Delicious Plant-Based Fare & Great Company
for Inspiration, Fun & Well-Being!
Event Description
A Spring Awakening:
Sound, Song & Sanctuary
The March retreat at Minstead is centred around the energy of spring: renewal, reawakening, and gentle emergence.
After the quiet depths of winter, this weekend is an invitation to soften, open, and let the light back in. Together we’ll create a warm, nourishing sanctuary where you can unfurl at your own pace, reconnect with your natural rhythms, and welcome what’s quietly beginning to stir.
Over the weekend we’ll explore:
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Sound healing to release the remnants of winter and make space for new life within
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Toning, mantra and harmony singing to rekindle the voice and uplift the heart
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Meditation to listen inwardly for what’s ready to grow and blossom
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Intuitive art and conscious writing to reveal what wants to be expressed and envisioned next
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Forest walks to remember how naturally renewal happens in the living world
NB: The intuitive art is simple but powerful — and absolutely no experience is needed.
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Reconnect with Nature and Yourself
Surrounded by the serene beauty of the New Forest, this retreat offers a sacred space to breathe deeply, unwind, and reconnect with the essence of who you are. Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the forest as you explore practices that nurture the soul and uplift the spirit; be nourished by delicious plant based foods, and enjoy great company!
No previous experience is necessary for the workshop sessions.
There will be two workshop sessions a day, each one designed to enhance your well-being, and nourish your mind, body and soul.
You can relax, recharge, and immerse yourself in the beauty of ancient woodlands, streams, and meadows.
There will be free time in the afternoon for walking in the gardens or the forest or just relaxing with like-minded others.
We will have exclusive use of the center including the gardens, workshop space, kitchens, the house, and dormitories.
The Venue
The Minstead Center is set in 7 acres of beautiful gardens, in the heart of the New Forest.
For accommodation options scroll down.
Our main workshop space is rather like a huge wooden tree house! It is very comfortable, with underfloor heating and a very efficient wood-burner, if needed, making for a cosy space for our singing and sound-bathing sessions. The dormitories are also part of this lovely and unique space.
Supper on Friday evening, and lunch on Saturday and Sunday will be delicious plant-based fare, using local and organic produce, including some from the vegetable garden.
On Saturday evening supper will be at the lovely local village pub. The cost for this is not included in the fee.
You are also welcome to bring your own supper to have at the center.
Nestled amongst the gardens are various stone circles and a newly refurbished roundhouse, based on an Iron Age home. It is made from local clay, rope, straw and wood. It has no door, and a fire inside, ready to be lit for evening storytelling and singing if desired!
Singing
Our singing sessions will include gorgeous harmony songs from around the world, including African, Gospel, Native American and Jazz. We will also have deeply relaxing sound baths with Tibetan singing bowls, and other sacred sound instruments, and mantra singing, in the cosy "beanbag" room, which has a wood burner for colder weather.
Practical Info
Dates
Spring Retreat 27th - 29th March 2026
Fees
£395 on-site residential
or
£345 non-residential, including all workshop sessions, teas and coffees, supper on Friday, lunch on Saturday and Sunday, breakfasts if staying on-site, and basic dormitory accommodation if required. Please note that Saturday supper is not included. The group normally enjoys going to the local forest pub for supper!
For other accommodation options please see below.
To book your place a non-returnable deposit of £150 is payable. Email sarah@lifesong.co.uk for more details.
Accommodation
There are three options:
1.Two spacious basic dormitories on-site, with 9 sets of bunk beds in each, and shower rooms.
2. Four en-suite twin rooms on site. If used for single occupancy the cost will be £40 per night. If used as a twin, it will be £20 per person per night. First come first served!
3. There is a variety of Air BnB options available, from Glamping to Shepherd's Huts, to cute cottage BnB's, from around £60 per night upwards.
This option is not included in the fee, and you will need to book it and arrange payment yourself. It is advisable to book ASAP to avoid disappointment! I can help find suitable Air BnB if necessary.
Camping on-site is also possible!
The programme offers everything that I (now) love including singing, harmonising, chanting, sharing, writing ...all seamlessly directed by Sarah leaving us all wanting more!
- Helen B
To Book
To book your place a non-returnable deposit of £150 is payable.
Email sarah@lifesong.co.uk to book your place and for payment info.
