When Clare and Andy Valender inherited Norton Grounds near Chipping Campden – a 120 acre working farm estate and home – it needed a lot of TLC, but after converting many of the outbuildings into accommodation and social spaces and sprucing it up, the historic farm is now a renowned wedding and private event venue, the dividends paying off.
However, to attract more of a weekday crowd, the Valender’s have introduced weekly Wellness Wednesdays into the mix at Norton Grounds, gathering therapy, fitness practitioners and coaches from around the country to enlighten, teach and treat us.
From nutrition to yoga, sound healing to movement, breath work and pilates, they offer something different every Wednesday evening and we were invited along to try it out.
Norton Grounds is a stunning location, especially at the beginning of autumn where all the leaves were turning red, the historic farmhouse and its ample grounds quite the sight.
From nutrition to yoga, sound healing to movement, breath work and pilates, they offer something different every Wednesday evening and we were invited along to try it out
Arriving in time to dump our bags in the incredible converted stable block where our room beckoned, we headed off to the Tipi where the Cotswolds Nutrition Chef and Big Cheeks Thai offered some delicious vegan healthy canapés (available with all retreats and day workshops), before changing into our cossies to try out the sauna and plunge pools before the classes began.
Run by The Steamy Pheasant Sauna and available all week for guests, on Wednesdays the public can book hourly slots (perfect for groups) and detox in the converted cabin with views framing the estate.
To start with it’s hard to believe Silke Weeks’ Feldenkrais session would make a difference, but by the end we were relaxed, our bodies fluent, all stiffness and niggles gone. Remarkable.
Racing over to the Cow Shed, yoga mats in hand, we were just in time for Silke Weeks’ Feldenkrais session, who guided us through slow, gentle movement sequences which highlight hidden habits, tension, and patterns.
To start with it’s hard to believe it would make a difference, the tiny movements fairly imperceptible, but by the end of the hour we were relaxed and our bodies fluent, all stiffness and niggles gone. Remarkable.
A quick swig of water and we were on to Barney’s Gentle Flow and Yin Yoga class which was sold out, his self explanatory easy to follow holistic approach much appreciated by the varied audience of all ages, ability and flexibility.
our cotswold room was light, roomy and complete with the original beams. everything you could possible need, the perfect venue for a night away
Fully repaired we returned to our room, a beautiful Cotswold space with a contemporary wood panelled bathroom. Light, roomy, airy and complete with the original beams, it came with everything you could possible need, the perfect venue for a night away.
The accommodation also boasts a huge kitchen with every possible gadget, pot and pan and even a swanky wine fridge, a gleaming central island and even an alcove with a work station. Families and groups can congregate and eat together happily here, but we wanted to explore a bit, heading off down the road to The Seagrave Arms, just a few minutes away, for dinner.
The accommodation also boasts a huge kitchen with every possible gadget, pot, pan and even a swanky wine fridge
It was a lucky find, the food really memorable, the menus ambitious, service impeccable and friendly, and the blackberry souffle, blackberry sauce & stem ginger ice cream heavenly. What a day!
There was bread, butter, tea, coffee and milk on hand for breakfast in the kitchen to be enjoyed before we headed off after a fantastic night’s sleep, emerging into the glorious sunshine framing the old but immaculately kept farm.
come Wednesday, if you fancy an early evening of varied wellbeing classes, maybe a bite to eat in a great pub, and even a night away, you know where to head
So come Wednesday, if you fancy an early evening of varied wellbeing classes, maybe a bite to eat in a great pub, and even a night away, you know where to head. Or just book one class, go every week, try something new, take advantage of the beautiful setting, get fitter, and move more easily
Alternatively book Wednesday morning’s early Breakfast Bounce with Lisa Unique – a sober coffee ‘rave’ with a live DJ, or any of the November highlights of fabulous classes and workshops including Holistic Pilates, Annie Sloan workshops and an evening Sleep Retreat, and lots more Happenings and Retreats planned.
Go to https://www.nortongrounds.com/retreats to book and https://www.nortongrounds.com to find out more about Norton Grounds or book a stay.
