Join us for a transformational 4 days of community living on the enchanting lands of Embercombe, nestled in the heart of Devon. Expect epic Ecstatic Dance journeys, heart-opening workshops, delicious wholesome food, meaningful connections, tears, laughter and everything in between. Come as you are, all of you is welcome here ♥

Click here to see full program description (subject to change).

Renée Lacroix — Retreat leader, Ecstatic Dance DJ & facilitator

Pixi Pete — Ecstatic Dance DJ & facilitator

Elise Yuill Cohen — Yoga teach & kirtan leader

Charlie Bishop — Musician & sound healer

Iona McNeil — Authentic Relating & movement facilitator

Embercombe is an eco retreat centre overarching a beautiful and wilding 50 acre valley on the edge of Dartmoor National Park. 'It is place to find a deep connection with nature – wild nature around us and wild nature within us. It is a place to breathe, to reconsider, to regenerate and to relearn. It is a place to get clear on what it is you have to offer the world and become passionate about who you are and what you do.'

1. If you choose the accommodation option, you have the choice between a shared or private yurt with compost toilets and running water nearby. Full bathroom facilities with hot showers are available in the main building. Linen is provided.

2. If you choose the camping & van option, you need to bring your own tent/van and camping gear (ex. sleeping bag, mattress, pillow, blanket).

All meals are included (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 3 dinners). Organic, vegan food is lovingly prepared on site using locally-sourced produce whenever possible. If you have any dietary restrictions or allergies, please let us know when booking.

We ask you to arrive between 5-6 pm on Friday 2 August to allow time to check-in, explore the grounds and settle in before we start. 

The retreat will start with dinner at 6:30 pm. The retreat will end after lunch at 3 pm on Monday 5 August.

-Towel

-Torch (head torches are really useful)

-Clothing & boots suitable for the outdoors

-Rain jacket & wellies 

-Ear-plugs (if sharing a yurt)

-Hot water bottle

-Toiletries (natural & biodegradable products please)

Non-refundable deposit is required to book and secure your place. Balance due 30 days before retreat starts. Please carefully read our Retreat T&Cs as by booking on our retreat, you become legally bound by these terms.

-Can I come on my own? Absolutely! Most of our participants come on their own, and many not knowing anyone else. Our retreats are highly inclusive and welcoming, and the program is designed to facilitate connections between one another with ice-breakers, group exercices and a daily sharing circle in small groups.

-I've never been on retreat or done an Ecstatic Dance before. Can I still join? Yes! While we would suggest that you try at least a conscious dance session (of any modality) to get a feel first, we always have a handful of participants who have never done Ecstatic Dance before coming on retreat. And for many of them it's also their first retreat.

-Is this a festival? No. Festivals are generally larger events with several programs/workshops to choose from and participants can arrive/leave as they wish, and meals are not communal. Our retreat is a closed container: we start and finish together. We are limiting the number of participants in order to create a more intimate gathering. There is one program and all the activities, including meals, are communal. We also ask participants to turn off their phones. Our retreat is an invitation to go deeper into your practice and let go of the outside world for the duration of a weekend.

-Are the accommodations heated? Yes, all accommodations are equipped with a gas heater or wood burner. The main hall and other facilities are also heated.

-Can I come for only part of the retreat? No. Part of the reason our retreats are so powerful is due to the energy field we create together as a group. Having participants arrive later or leave early clashes with this group field. If you come on retreat with us, we ask that you commit to staying for the entire duration. 

-Are children welcome? Our retreats are not suitable for children. 

-Are dogs allowed? Unfortunately not.

-I'm unemployed/student/on a low income. Do you offer concessions? We have a Pay-it-forward sponsorship scheme where we match generous sponsors with those who aren't in a financial position to pay full price to attend our retreats. You can fill in the application form here. If you're in a position to pay more and you wish to sponsor someone, you can do so here.

-Do you have any volunteering opportunities? We don't, but if you're not in a position to pay full price, you can apply to our sponsorship scheme above.

-What is your cancellation policy? In the unlikely case that we have to cancel the retreat, a full refund will be offered. In case of cancellation from your side less than 60 days from retreat start date, no refunds or transfers will be offered. Click here to read our full Terms & Conditions.

-If I can no longer make it, can I transfer my booking to someone? If you find someone to take your booking, there will be a £35 admin charge to transfer your booking to another person.

Embercombe, Higher Ashton, Exeter, EX6 7QQ

+44 (0) 1647 252983

By train

Exeter St David’s is the closest station which serves most of the UK. It’s approximately 7 miles from Embercombe. We offer a return transfer to/from Exeter train station for £35 both ways (add-on when booking).

By bus

There is a 360 Dartline bus service from the Central Bus Station in  Exeter which stops 1.3 miles from Embercombe. Look for route name Exeter-Dunchideock-Bridford and get off the bus at the Belevedere Castle stop. On leaving the bus, continue along the top road. After 400 yards you’ll reach the Belvedere Castle entrance on your left. Opposite, there is a little road going down to the right, signposted Trusham and Ashton. Follow this road for approximately 20 minutes until you reach Embercombe’s main gate on the right.

By car 

-From the Southbound A38:

Follow the signs to Exeter Race Course. Climb the hill slowly and get  into the left hand lane, at the top of the hill (Haldon Hill) take the left exit marked Dunchideock and Exeter Race Course. Pay particular attention as you do not get much warning of the exit! Turn right at the roundabout at the end of the sliproad towards  Dunchideock and follow this road through Haldon Forest. After 1.7 miles, the road goes downhill into trees and just opposite is a forest car park area on your right. Take the sharp left turn signposted Trusham  & Ashton. Entrance to Embercombe is 1.2 miles down on the right.

-From the Northbound A38: At the top of Haldon Hill (A38) take the exit marked Dunchideock and  Exeter Race Course immediately after the petrol station. At the ‘T’  junction turn left and follow the road through Haldon Forest. After a 1.7miles, the road goes downhill into trees and just opposite a forest car park area on your right, take the sharp left turning signposted Trusham & Ashton. Entrance to Embercombe is 1.2 miles down on the  right.  

-Satellite navigation systems: We recommend that you don’t use your Sat Nav system to reach Embercombe. They’ve been found to be unreliable in the rural areas around Embercombe and visitors often arrive at the wrong address. Instead, simply put 'Embercombe' in Google Maps.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch via: Email | Facebook | Instagram 

We aim to reply to all messages within 24 hours (48 hours during weekends). 

We look forward to receiving from you! 

Renée & the team

Make your way to Embercombe, our majestic retreat centre.

17:00-18:00 Upon arrival, check-in with our team, who will greet you and guide you to your yurt or camping area. Settle in, explore the grounds and get acquainted with the facilities.

18:30-19:30 Gather in the dining yurt for our first meal together where you'll be able to connect with fellow retreatants.

20:00-22:30 Join us in the main hall for an Opening Circle where we'll introduce ourselves and share practical points. Our retreat leader Renée will guide you into a short warm-up before bringing on an Ecstatic Dance journey. We'll end the evening with a live sound healing.

7:45-8:45 Rise & shine! Start the day with a gentle yoga class.

9:00-9:30 Fuel your body with a hearty breakfast.

9:45-10:30 Gather with your small group (6-7) for a daily sharing circle, where you'll be able to introduce yourself and get to know your new 'retreat family'.

11:00-12:30 Join us in Embercombe's sacred Stone Circle for an outdoor movement class (weather permitting).

13:00-14:00 Enjoy a hearty & delicious plant-based lunch.

14:00-16:30 Free time. Use this time to wander around, go cold water swimming (there's a lake onsite), write in your journal, reflect, meditate or challenge yourself: do nothing!

16:30-18:00 Take part in an Authentic Relating workshop, a series of communication games, where you'll be invited to connect with others and explore your boundaries.

18:30-19:30 Back at the dining yurt for a light yet wholesome dinner.

20:00-22:00 Go on an inward Shamanic Trance Dance journey to get clarity or an answer to a question.

7:45-8:45 Gently wake up your body with a yoga class.

9:00-9:30 Fuel your body with Embercombe's mouth-watering breakfast buffet.

9:45-10:30 Reunite with your sisters/brothers for our daily sharing circle.

11:00-12:30 Reconnect with yourself and your fellow retreatants in a guided movement & connection class.

13:00-14:00 Enjoy yet another nutritionally-balanced lunch.

14:00-16:30 Free time to rest, reflect, digest or do whatever your body/soul needs.

16:30-19:00 Gather with the group for an heart-opening Cacao Ceremony followed by a fiery Ecstatic Dance session.

19:30-20:30 Indulge in an abundant and scrumptious dinner.

21:00-22:30 End the day with a powerful heart-opening kirtan evening.

7:45-8:45 Start the day with a final yoga class.

9:00-9:30 Fill up your body with a nourishing breakfast.

9:45-10:30 Connect with your sharing circle and reflect back on your experience.

11:00-12:30 Dance your heart out with a Closing Circle & Ecstatic Dance.

13:00-14:00 Enjoy your last meal at Embercombe and swap numbers with your new friends.

14:00-15:00 Pack your bags and marvel at the views before saying good-bye. Hug everyone and hop on the transfer back to Exeter (or your own means of transport).