Join us for a relaxing walking retreat in the heart of the New Forest!
🌿🌳The New Forest was established by William the Conqueror in 1079 as a royal hunting ground. Today, it’s a massive National Park in Hampshire that feels like a patchwork quilt of landscapes. 🌳🌿
What makes it feel different from the rest of the UK?
The "commoning" system. This is an ancient tradition where local residents (Commoners) have the right to let their livestock roam free across the open forest. Because of this there are ponies, donkeys and cattle that wander wherever they fancy, including through the middle of village high streets! It’s a working landscape that’s stayed remarkably unchanged for centuries, making it a brilliant spot to slow down and get back to nature.
What to expect:
🌄 Guided walks through beautiful countryside on the Saturday and Sunday. Our trained leaders will ensure enjoyable and safe walks. We will have options to make the walks long or short depending on the group.
🥗 Wholesome, healthy meals prepared using local produce where possible, catering for all dietary requirements. Enjoy hearty cooked breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday mornings and satisfying dinners on the Friday and Saturday evenings. We will provide a packed lunch too for the walk so you don’t have to worry about anything. We will send out a food choices form, a week or so before the event where you can choose from at least 3 main dinner options.
🛏️ Two nights accommodation right in the heart of nature, with female & male only dormitories. Please note that arrival on Friday is from 5pm.
🧘♀️Yoga sessions to stretch out and relax and learn some meditation techniques.
🎶 An optional soothing Sound Bath with gongs and sound bowls in the evening just before bed.
🌿Our trained mindfulness in nature facilitator, will talk to you about mindfulness in nature practice and give you some tips you can take away
🌸Our trained massage therapist will give you a 30 minute massage which is at an additional cost of £30 for 30 minutes and can be booked separately.
🌠 Some stargazing may be possible under clear skies with no light pollution (weather permitting!)
Sign up by midday Friday 14th August!
The Walks:
The longer circular walk on the Saturday will be between 8km (5 miles) and 15km (9 miles) depending on the weather and how the group is feeling and but there are several options to shorten or lengthen it. Expect a mix of terrain, including stone-flagged paths, grassy fields, tracks, and potentially some muddy sections, especially after rain. It is a gentle pace and we will talk to you as a group about the walk options before we set off and you won’t be asked to go further than you are comfortable doing and we will be able to take short cuts back. We would class this as a beginner to intermediate level walk so a base level of fitness is required and there will be some elevation in places. The walk on Sunday will be significantly shorter.
Price
Deposit - £100pp to secure your space. Remaining balance required by Friday 14th August.
CSSC Member (Full Payment) - £215
Non-Member (Full Payment) - 234
Spaces are limited – book now to secure your spot! 🌟
Buying a non-member ticket?
An event fee is applied to each non-member ticket. Why not make use of the linked membership scheme and earn yourself £10 by joining them up to CSSC, they will save the non-member event fee, and purchase the ticket at the discounted members rate. Invite your non-member guests to join CSSC here.
Please note that non-member event fee is non-refundable.
Previous Event Feedback:
⭐ "The team running the event were excellent. Informative, caring, flexible to needs of the group and excellent chefs!"
⭐ "Lovely event, amazing scenery and great mix of people to spend time with. Activities were invigorating."
⭐ "Wellbeing Walks were great hosts and providers"
Travel Support Fund
You may be eligible for financial support from the CSSC Travel Support, supported by the CSSC Community Lottery, for this event.
The Travel Support aims to reduce financial barriers and help members take part in sports and physical activity. Priority will be given to those who need it most, particularly individuals who may otherwise be unable to attend CSSC organised events due to travel costs.
Members must apply before the event to be considered for support. For more information and to check your eligibility please read the guidance notes before applying.
Travel Support application form.
Additional Information
All attendees must find their own way to the venue, but we can help with arranging lift shares where possible. Driving is the most direct option to get there however it is accessible by public transport involves taking a train to a nearby station followed by a taxi. We also arrange lift shares too if people are coming from a similar area and we are more than happy to pick guests up from a nearby station. It's approximately 1 hour 45 minutes from London in the car or on the train. It's approximately 2 hours 30 minutes from Birmingham and 1 hour 45 minutes from Bristol so really accessible to the south and midlands. We'll take care of everything, so you just need to pack and turn up! All activities are optional and you are welcome to just chill out in the beautiful grounds.
Wellbeing Walks will provide a survey to complete to record walking experience / dietary requirements / health or accessibility requirements. Sorry, no dogs allowed. Over 18's only.