You are invited to our end of summer retreat weekend festival of feeling fabulous - it's going to be a bit of a party! Feeling healthy, happy & relaxed is pretty much guaranteed in this stunning Lake District venue - and that's before we even get started with all the friendly & accessible classes, arts & crafts, music, good times & more to feed your mind, body & soul. Let's get together and feel good!

We’re delighted to be joined by special guest teacher Donna Unwin (Dancing Donna as you may know her!) - she'll be there along with YinYan founder, Robin Ellis (and his faithful hound Carter) to help you enjoy a wide range of classes for all levels (Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin Yoga, Nidra, Qigong, Dance & Ukuleles) all while you experience the healing power of nature in our woodland carpeted in wild flowers with river where we're guests of the resident otter.

A beautiful meadow where birds sing, wild flowers carpet the woodland and we camp on the earth beside the river. Our ‘Big Top’ parachute canopy provides open sided weather protection all weekend & the kitchen tent will be serving up delicious hot meals. For those without a tent/campervan that prefer a real bed, there are two Yurts onsite (each sleeps up to 6 people, more below).

'Springwood' is a private campsite, river & woodland that we have exclusive use of all weekend. Less than 2 hours drive from Liverpool/Manchester - or a 15 minute (£20) taxi from Oxenholme station (direct trains from London Euston in 3 hours). There’s a hot shower - or cool river! - compost toilet, extra portable toilets, sink with hot water & kitchen cabin with fridges, kettles, toaster & microwave so you can help yourself to snacks & brews whenever you like.

YinYan founder, Robin Ellis, leads all our retreat and he'll be joined on this weekend by our special guest teacher "Dancing-Donna" Unwin, who is one of our favourite rays of sunshine - she always brings the good energy!!

Robin discovered Yoga, Pilates, Meditation & Ukuleles when dealing with chronic back pain – became a teacher in order to look after himself better, then his calling for giving normal people the chance to experience the mental & physical benefits of self-care led to him setting up YinYan in 2015 (now a not-for-profit Community Interest Company). His classes are wide ranging and very inclusive, giving beginners the perfect place to start & more practised students the chance to get back to basics & fundamental principles.

Donna discovered Yoga & Pilates as a dancer, using it to help with injuries, strength, flexibility & mental health. She trained in India and teaches in studios, schools, universities & businesses – her style is creative & fun and her philosophy is life should be a moving meditation that brings joy, balance and perspective.

We're delighted that Deb James (from "Bring Out Your Bowls") is with us again in 2023 to provide all the hot food. Delicious, satisfying & healthy vegan food is provided for your lunch & dinner, think warming chilli, tasty curry & wholesome soups - we've given up trying to describe how good the food is, it's just AMAZING! Meat eaters don't worry, we only have big & hearty meals, you will not be disappointed! 

If you have any allergy or special requirements let us know in advance. Fresh fruit, porridge and toast will be available to help yourself at breakfast, bring anything else you’d like in terms of a different breakfast/extra snacks. We provide compostable plates, bowls, cups & cutlery but please bring your own camping utensils where possible (there's a sink to wash up).

Our big kettle will always be on because unlimited brews might just be the cornerstone of civilised society! A range of tea & coffee is provided (with all sorts of milk), along with drinking water. We don’t sell/provide alcohol but you can bring some if you like – the emphasis of our weekends is having fun and enjoying yourself, we’re here to have a good time together not judge anyone.

The fire pits are the beating heart of our retreats - it's where our community comes together for our fire ceremony, it's where we make music, friends & memories as we share stories & good times. Please bring your instrument if you play one - anything & everything welcome, and everyone gets their very own kazoo. We'll be singing some campfire classics and we've got some wonderful original music to enjoy too.

A fire will always be burning (all firewood included) so you can warm your cockles anytime – in the evening we’ll light more fires so everyone can feel the warmth, and Carter the hound is always up for a cuddle! There will also be a fire ceremony. We can’t wait to be laughing & singing together under the stars – it’s so good for your soul.

We believe creativity is a powerful way to feel good, and you can experience this for yourself during the weekend. Try your hand at mindful drawing, take some charcoal/pencils/paint & paper and head off to the woods, or have a go at clay modelling, and of course you can join the YinYan Band (no musical experience/talent necessary) - we create a friendly & fun environment for beginners, if you decide to have a go then the magic starts to happen!

Every weekend includes optional beginner ukulele lessons, plus you can try singing and everyone gets their very own Kazoo. The ukulele is such an accessible & joyful instrument, you'll be laughing your head off before you know it - and if you play an instrument please bring it!

Don't forget to bring your own tent - unless you have booked a Yurt or campervan pitch (these are onsite) or a private room (off site, 2 mins drive from Springwood). If you are not a regular camper then don't worry we get plenty of first timers and there's always a friendly helper around who can help put up your tent if you need a hand! If you're borrowing a tent please make sure that it's all there & waterproof! Even if the days are hot it can get cold at night so you will need an insulated sleeping mat/airbed & good quality sleeping bag (try and borrow if you haven't got one).

If you prefer the warmth of a wood burning stove and a proper bed then treat yourself to one of the two yurts available. Each Yurt can accommodate up to 6 people. The yurts come with their own shelter outside to give protection from the sun (and occasionally rain!) 

Each yurt is 5m in diameter and has it’s own a wood burner, all firewood included in the price. Both yurts have a double bed, a double day bed and a double sofa bed – only base sheets, pillows, pillow cases & hand towels are provided so bring your own snuggly bedding and towels.

Parking is available and we will direct you on arrival. To minimise our carbon footprint please car-share where possible, or consider public transport – Oxenholme train station is just 15 mins in a taxi. You can’t drive onto the meadow but you only have to carry your things about 100m and trolleys are available.

We can accommodate a limited number of campervans - although please note that due to a narrow gate these must NOT exceed transit sized vans (motorhomes are out, sorry). Please select 'Campervan' as an optional extra when making your booking.

Carter (Robin’s hound & YinYan’s official head of wellbeing) will be there – if you would like to bring your dog please contact Robin on hello@yinyan.co.uk (they MUST be kept on lead at all times). 

The venue includes a rocky river & working woodland with – there are ditches, slopes, barbed wire & electric fences so please watch your step & sturdy shoes/wellies are recommended if the ground is wet. Happy to discuss if you want to bring children, just get in touch and we can talk!

• Tent (unless you’re in a yurt or private room) - if you borrow a tent make sure it doesn't leak!
• Insulated sleeping mat (or air bed) 
• Good quality sleeping bag - better to find a good one to borrow than buy a poor quality one (but we have wheat beanies you can heat up in the microwave if you are cold!)
• Pillow/cushion
• Ann extra blanket is great for the meditations & keeping cosy around the fire pits (remember the yurts only have pillows & sheets)
• Water bottle
• Yoga mat & block – if you need to borrow/buy a mat let us know
• Camping mug, plate, bowl & cutlery (we have disposables if you forget)
• Snacks, drinks & anything you want for breakfast (there is a small fridge)
• Toiletries including anti-bacterial gel & anything else you need such as wet wipes (we will provide toilet paper, hand sanitiser & antibacterial wipes around the site)
• Footwear – wellies/boots/sturdy trainers (it might be muddy), bring a pair of old trainers to use in the river if you’re planning on getting wet as it is rocky & uneven
• Clothes – hope for the best but prepare for the worst with a waterproof jacket, fleece/warm jumpers, plenty of layers, spare socks etc. & bring clothes you can move freely in for yoga
• Towel & swimming costume if you’re planning on bathing in the river or enjoying a warm shower!
• Headtorch / light for your tent
• Hat & scarf
• Sun hat, sunscreen & sun glasses – we live in hope!
• Phone/camera/battery pack – useful to keep your phone charged so you can take lots of photos/videos, although there is a plug if you need a battery boost
• If you play an instrument please bring it for the camp fire sing-song!
• Chair (there are benches & logs to sit on too)
• Carrier/rubbish bags – great for wet clothes & refuse…please take everything with you & leave no trace!

We know some people prefer sleeping in a real bed with lovely crisp bed linen & fluffy towels, in a real house with heating & plumbing - so this year we're offering you the option of booking a private room in a beautiful converted barn located just off site.

There's a twin room (with 2 single beds), a double room OR a king-sized double room to choose from. All rooms have access to shared toilet, shower & bath. All our private rooms come with bedding (unlike the yurts) & towels and complimentary tea & coffee.

If you select a Private Room as an optional extra when you book, you can share the room with another guest no problem (the room cost is the same with 1 or 2 people in it). Please note that these rooms are located off site (LA8 9BJ) - just a 2 minute drive from Springwood (you'll need to drive as no pavement to walk along the main road).