Yoga & Hiking Retreats at Cae’r Blaidd Country House, Eryri (Snowdonia)

Autumn Yoga & Hiking Retreat
Winter Yoga & Hiking Retreat
Anja and Rebecca

Join us for our 3 or 5 day yoga and hiking retreat in the heart of Eryri (Snowdonia) in Wales.

I am excited to welcome you to Caer Blaidd Country House, a beautiful house with stunning views across the mountains. This is a real hygge feel retreat with some autumn/winter hikes to get energised from nature.

This retreat combines things I am extremely passionate about: yoga and being in the outdoors! Teamed with great hearty seasonal food, relaxation and meditation, I think this is a winning combination for looking after your wellbeing and recharging batteries. I want to enable you to experience and fall in love with the mountains whether that is by gazing at them from the cosiness of the house or during one of the hikes during the retreat.

In it’s 4th year now I have a wonderful team with me: Emma, your mountain leader guiding your included hikes; Chris, your chef preparing delicious homemade meals and Elle, your resident massage therapist offering beautiful massages during the retreat (at extra cost).

Where you will be staying

This 5 star country house is absolutely stunning and offers plenty of space for everyone. There are several chill out rooms to find a quiet space or to connect with old or new friends. Perfect for you if you want some peace and quiet for yourself with the option of socialising. All rooms bar one are en suite and spacious. The numbers are strictly limited to 10 guests on these retreats to allow plenty of space, a safe guided walk and a personal touch to your retreat.

There are a lot of amazing details in the house and grounds like the handmade stained glass windows made by one of the owners of the house, large windows to gaze out from and cosy outdoor hut with a fire pit plus a wood heated hot tub with mountain views.

The house is set in acres of woodland and gardens with panoramic views of the Vale of Ffestiniog and the Moelwyn Mountain range. Even though it is in a secluded spot, it is not too complicated to get to and is easily accessible from the main road.

Cae'r Blaidd Country House
Snowdonia

About the hiking

The hikes are led by a qualified mountain leader, Emma, who also happens to be a good friend of mine. She will plan the routes for the group in detail so you don’t have to worry about any of this. You will receive a packed lunch and snacks for your hike. Three guided hikes are included during your stay on the 5 day retreat and two guided hikes on the 3 day retreat with varying challenge so you can pick and choose to do all or some of the hikes. You do not have to be experienced mountaineer to take part – this could be your opportunity to explore something new and exciting and you will be in safe hands! The planned hikes are between 3-5 hours in length depending on pace and rest assured, nobody is left behind. You will receive a short form to fill before the retreat asking you about your walking experience which allows Emma and I to plan the walks accordingly. Emma is also qualified in many aspects of water including wild swimming so you have the opportunity on these retreats to try a wild swimming/dipping experience.

About the yoga

With almost 30 yoga practice years behind me and a decade of teaching, I will guide you safely through seasonal practices which are complimentary for your health and wellbeing. The yoga practice will also support your walking during the retreat with breath work, energising starts to the day and longer relaxing stretches and yin yoga after your days in the hills. 

My yoga style is based on Hatha yoga, as is the case with most western yoga but my style weaves together all that I have learned throughout my years of practice. I am passionate about seasonal living and living in harmony with nature, therefore a lot of my teaching is inspired by the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Celtic wisdom linking practices with elements and seasons. The practices during the retreat include traditional hatha yoga, qigong, yin yoga, meditation, yoga nidra and pranayama practices. I call yoga my support system without which I wouldn’t function. It extends beyond the mat and so much beyond asana (postures).

Snowdonia
Cae'r Blaidd Country House

About the food

Now we’re talking! Food is so important to me and I am looking forward to sharing some seasonal food with you during this retreat. The food will be planned and prepared by my partner in business and life, Chris. The food is all cooked fresh on site using good quality ingredients. Whilst we offer mainly vegetarian dishes, some meat options will also be available – this depends on each group. Please state your preference in the pre retreat form you will receive about a month before the retreat as the meals are planned based on this. We also cater for vegans but cannot cater for severe nut allergies or coeliac disease.

A typical breakfast will be continental style with homemade granola, porridge, yoghurts, variety of bread and boiled or scrambled eggs for example. A typical lunch will be packed for you for your hike including fruit, snacks such as nuts/granola bars and homemade soup (please bring a flask with you for this). After your hike you will be greeted by the scent of home baked cake at the house. Finally, a hearty dinner will be consisting of foods from around the world with a different theme each night. Oh and on Sunday we will share one of my favourite things: a Sunday brunch!

Approximate timings during retreat

My aim is to create a relaxing atmosphere for you to have a lovely time without the need to rush or a day packed full of activity. Everything during the retreat is truly optional so it is your choice how much or little you choose to take part in.

Please note, the timings are approximate and can change. Weather conditions might mean shorter hikes or alternative activities. It can also be that hikes take a bit longer than planned and the days of the hikes can change due to weather.

Arrival day (Wednesday or Thursday depending on length of the retreat)

  • Arrivals from 15:00 on 5 day retreats, 13:00 on 3 day retreats. Cake on arrival, settle in your room and the space.
  • Welcome and ease and release yoga & welcome circle 18:00-19:30
  • Dinner from 19:30

Thursday/Friday to Saturday

  • Good morning wake up yoga&qigong 8:00-9:15
  • Breakfast from 9:15
  • Guided hike 10:30-15:30 (sometimes later depending on length of day and walk). Packed lunch during hike. Lunch at the house from 13:00 if you don’t take part in the hike. Cake after arrival at the house.
  • Optional massages, time to relax, time for a wild dip and/or relax in the hot tub
  • Evening stretch and ease yoga 18:00-19:30
  • Dinner from 19:30

    Sunday

    • Sunday morning stretch 8:00-9:30
    • Brunch from 9:30
    • Free time to do another walk (not guided), a trip to the nearby seaside or other location or just stay and relax at the house
    • On 3 day retreats departures by 16:00
    • On 5 day retreats we usually do an earlier dinner at 17:00 and a late restorative yoga and yoga nidra approximately 19:30-21:00 but again we can decide this as a group

    Monday (on 5 day retreat)

    • Good morning yoga&closing circle 8:00-9:15
    • Breakfast from 9:15
    • Check out by 12

    Prices for 2024

    All rooms are slightly different but all really spacious and cosy so see below the description and price for the room, single occupancy option etc.

    Happy Hiker room: Large room with two single beds (for single occupancy you have these made into a super king). View over the garden and a large bathroom with a bath only and overhead shower.

    • 5 night retreat: £585 per person based on two sharing. Single occupancy £180 for the whole stay
    • 3 night retreat: £425 per person based on two sharing. Single occupancy £120 for the whole stay

    Squirrel room: Top floor room (two flights of stairs), only room on the top floor with a double bed, view over the woods and a large private bathroom with bath and overhead shower.

    • 5 night retreat: £625 per person, only for single person (or couple – please enquire for price)
    • 3 night retreat: £495 per person, only for single person (or couple – please enquire for price)
    Cow room: Big room with a double bed and decent size single bed (beds on first booked first serve basis if you are sharing with someone you don’t know). View over the mountains. Private bathroom with shower in the corridor (not en suite in the room but the bathroom is for the use of the people in this room and 2 team members only. Extra toilet also available in the corridor).
    • 5 night retreat: £585 per person based on two sharing. Single occupancy £180 for the whole stay
    • 3 night retreat: £425 per person based on two sharing. Single occupancy £120 for the whole stay
    Sheep room:  This is one of the biggest rooms in the house with one double and one super king bed (this room can be for 3 people with one double and 2x single beds, please enquire for price via email). View over the woodland behind the house. Large bathroom with a shower. No single occupancy option.
    • 5 night retreat: £585 per person based on two sharing. Single occupancy £180 for the whole stay
    • 3 night retreat: £425 per person based on two sharing. Single occupancy £120 for the whole stay
    Sunflower room: Large room with double bed and large single bed with view over the mountains (beds on first booked first serve basis if you are sharing with someone you don’t know). En suite bathroom with shower.
    • 5 night retreat: £625 per person, only for single person. Single occupancy £180 for the whole stay
    • 3 night retreat: £495 per person, only for single person. Single occupancy £120 for the whole stay
    Heart room: A spacious double room, dual aspect windows with mountain view, bay window with a window seat, bathroom with separate bath and shower.
    • 5 night retreat: £695 per person, only for single person (or couple – please enquire for price)
    • 3 night retreat: £525 per person, only for single person (or couple – please enquire for price)

    Non refundable deposit of £180 for 5 night retreats and £150 for 3 night retreats is payable on booking, a balance of £200 is payable 60 days before the retreat and final balance is due 30 days before the retreat. Please see full terms and conditions.

     

    What is included in the price

    • 3 or 5 nights stay in a beautiful 5 star country house in stunning large, clean rooms (bed linen and towels provided)
    • All homecooked food: breakfast, lunch and dinner, brunch. Snacks, homemade cake, selection of teas and other refreshments available throughout the retreat. You will receive a form about a month before the retreat about dietary requirements to plan the meals. Please check the food section for more information.
    • Seasonal yoga sessions daily (check the timetable for details) plus extra one to one guidance during the retreat
    • All guided hikes with an experienced mountain leader
    • Use of wood heated hot tub

    What is not included

    • Travel to and from retreat. (Pick up and drop off available to and from Blaenau Ffestiniog train station on request, please get in touch to discuss this)
    • Travel insurance – I thoroughly recommend getting travel insurance
    • Massages

    Dates and Booking 

    2024 retreats:

    • Winter Hygge: Thursday 11th to Sunday 14th January 2024
    • Autumn Colours: Wednesday 9th to Monday 14th October 2024
    Autumn Yoga & Hiking Retreat

    Winter Hygge

    Thursday 11th to Sunday 14th January 2024

     

    Winter Yoga & Hiking Retreat

    Autumn Colours 2024

    Wednesday 9 to Monday 14 October 2024

    *2 rooms left, email retreats@anjayoga.co.uk to enquire!