Take time out for a Skendleby Staycation

Zoë Thurling enjoys the first retreat weekend at this exclusive venue, which offers a range of activities and therapies in relaxed surroundings.

Nestled on the south-eastern edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds is the beautiful Grade II listed property, Skendleby Hall. Already well established as a privately owned venue offering exclusive space for bespoke weddings, private celebrations and corporate events, this charming country manor house was acquired by Adrian Thornton in 2023.

Over the past couple of years, the property has seen a sympathetic renovation to each of its rooms, under the guidance of house manager Amanda Batham, whilst keeping the history of the features intact.

The venue can accommodate up to 28 guests in its 13 ensuite bedrooms, each of which have been uniquely designed, many adorned with antique furniture, French beds and luxury soft furnishings.

Focus on healing
Amanda’s plans to develop the venue to become a versatile space for alternative events are now well into fruition, with the introduction of Skendleby Staycations, taking place during 2025.

This exclusive retreat, which offers a three-night stay at the hall, incorporates a variety of healing and wellness workshops set out across two days, and includes all meals cooked by a personal chef. We were invited to attend the first Skendleby Staycation at The Hall to experience a relaxing weekend of various activities, including yoga and alternative therapies, led by fully qualified practitioners.

On Friday evening, the staycation began with a meet and greet reception in the drawing room, followed by a three-course dinner and a relaxing session of Somatic Yoga instructed by Liz Underwood.

Liz, who for more than 19 years has empowered people to heal themselves through movement, hosted each of the yoga sessions across the weekend. With a background in yoga and yoga therapy, she went on to discover the profound effects of Somatics, and has specialised in teaching this method for the past six years. She is a certified Clinical Somatic Educator, teaching online classes, courses and in-person workshops and retreats.

A range of workshops
A full schedule of activities for both Saturday and Sunday also included Energy Work, Diamond Light Therapy and Seated Sound Bathing.

Energy Workshops were hosted by Alexandra Gould, who coached us in breathwork and meditation. She offers various therapies to suit each individual and is qualified in the following fields: Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, NPL Practitioner, EFT Practitioner, Hypnobirthing and Breath Coaching, and also offers Traditional Indian Head Massage.

A seated Sound Bathing session on Saturday evening was led by Hannah Hooper, a Holistic Sound Relaxation Therapist who has trained with the British Academy of Sound Therapy.

Sound bath meditation is an immersive experience that uses therapeutic sound waves to promote relaxation, healing, and mindfulness. You’re enveloped in the resonant sounds of instruments like singing bowls, gongs and chimes, which are played in a way that encourages the mind to relax and the body to release tension.

Unlike traditional meditation, where the focus is often on breath or mantras, sound bath meditation uses sound and vibration to encourage a meditative state.

Seated sound bathing on the Sunday evening was delivered by Tara Hewson, who is a Spiritual and Sound Healer, Diamond Light and Numerology Practitioner, as well as a member of the Lincolnshire Association of Healers. She also conducted a Diamond Light Numerology session.

The Diamond Light Numerology System is an esoteric map for both emotional and spiritual healing. The Numbers have their own divine intelligence and know how to work in harmony with the human psyche and its enormous mental, emotional, and spiritual history, revealing to you your own spiritual gifts and human challenges in this lifetime.

Relax and revive
Across the weekend, time was also allocated for guests to simply relax and take in the surroundings, whether being at one with nature and embarking on a leisurely stroll exploring the beautiful Lincolnshire countryside, or by enjoying the views of the rolling landscape in the comfort of the hot tub situated in a private area of the established gardens.

Meals were made and served in the dining room by the excellent in-house chef, Fran Williams of Chocolate Fairy Catering, who showcased her culinary skills first with a delicious array of continental breakfast and brunch options. A traditional afternoon tea and an Asian inspired afternoon tea were served in the afternoons before sitting down to a three-course evening meal with a selection of dishes, including fresh seafood paella, tasty chicken, leek and mushroom pie, and delicious fresh mackerel cooked in a creamy dill sauce, or a Thai fish curry and noodles – all served with freshly sourced, seasonal local vegetables.

The retreat concluded on Monday morning, with all guests leaving relaxed, refreshed and mindful.
With plans to turn one of the upstairs suites into a relaxing treatment room, set up to cater for various holistic therapies, the next retreats are scheduled for June and October.

For more information about forthcoming Skendleby Staycations and the therapies available, contact Amanda Batham by calling 07939 508636.

Skendleby Hall, Skendleby PE23 4QA
Email: skendlebyhallevents@gmail.com
Website: skendlebyhall.co.uk

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