Come and spend the August bank holiday weekend with us! A transformative 4 days of connection, movement, nature, amazing food and magic in Devon's picturesque landscape.
COVID-19 INFO
Please read Embercombe's current Covid Prevention Plan. This retreat will be going ahead following the government guidelines at the time.
DAILY PROGRAM (EXAMPLE)
8.00-9.00 Yoga or singing circle
9.15-10.15 Breakfast in small groups (sharing circle)
10.45-12.45 Class/workshop
13.00-14.00 Lunch
14.00-16.00 Free time
16.00-18.00 Class/workshop
18.30-19.30 Dinner
20.00-22.30 Ecstatic Dance
23.00-0.00 Bonfire
Classes & workshops include: Authentic Relating, singing workshop and movement classes. There will be an Ecstatic Dance every day (4 total).
ABOUT EMBERCOMBE
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.'
ACCOMMODATION: 3 NIGHTS
1. If you choose the accommodation option, you have the choice between a room in a cabin, a vintage van or a beautiful 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 option, you need to bring your own tent/van and camping gear (ex. sleeping bag, mattress, pillow, blanket).
FOOD: 9 MEALS
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.
ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE
We ask participants to arrive between 4-6 pm on Friday August 27 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 2 pm on Monday Aug 30.
WHAT TO BRING
-Towel
-Torch (head torches are really useful)
-Clothing & boots suitable for the outdoors
-Swimsuit & flip-flops (there's a lake on site!)
-Rain jacket & wellies
-Ear-plugs (if you're a light sleeper)
-Hot water bottle (especially if camping)
-Toiletries (natural & biodegradable products please)
PAYMENT
Non-refundable £200 deposit/person is required to book and secure your place. Balance due by August 15.
Please carefully read our Retreat T&Cs as by booking on our retreat, you become legally bound by these terms.
FAQ
-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.
-Can I bring my own van instead of camping? Yes absolutely. Please let us know when booking so we know how many expect.
-Are dogs allowed? Unfortunately not
-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, no refunds will be offered, no matter the reason.
-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 £50 admin charge to transfer your booking to another person. If you want us sell your booking on your behalf, we will retain your deposit (£100) for the service and refund you the balance only if we find a replacement and once they have paid in full. Please note we will only accept booking transfers and allow posts on our Facebook event/page if the retreat is fully booked.
GETTING THERE
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. There is a taxi rank outside (one-way to Embercombe: £20-25) or you can walk to Exeter Central Bus Station which is approximately a 1.5 mile walk into town. We offer a return transfer to/from Exeter train station for £30 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.
ABOUT ECSTATIC DANCE UK
EDUK is a conscious dance events company based in London. We host weekly Sunday morning dances in Hackney Wick. Our mission is to create a safe, sacred space for people to come and express themselves through movement, regardless of age, gender, background or social status. We believe dancing is a form of therapy and can help us connect to ourselves and to others. We embrace inclusivity, freedom of expression, openness and positivity.
Bring your own tent/van & camping gear. Compost toilets located around the site and bathroom facilities with hot showers available in the main building.
A single bed in a shared yurt (with 1 other woman) with nearby compost toilets and running water. Bathroom facilities with hot showers available in the main building. Linen is provided.
A single bed in a shared yurt (with 1 other man) with nearby compost toilets and running water. Bathroom facilities with hot showers available in the main building. Linen is provided.
A single bed in a yurt (linen provided) with nearby compost toilets and running water. Bathroom facilities with hot showers available in the main building. Friends or couples wanting to share a yurt can book 1 Private Yurt + 1 Camping spot.
A double bed in a stunning antique show van with wood fire stove and gas stove for heating water (linen provided). Nearby compost toilets and running water. Bathroom facilities with hot showers available in the main building.