I was utterly taken by Broughton Sanctuary during their Immersion Retreat. My snaps show my wonder. You can’t copy paste the community and eco-activism that inhabits this place, while also offering five star hospitality within a context of living antiquity. Add in a world class retreat and spa program, and it’s hard to beat.
The internet surface appeal is clear: Leading wellness retreats host here (The Hoffman Process, Path of Love, Expert-guided re-wilding for men and women, consciousness meets science gatherings, and so forth). National Geographic deemed it one of the “Coolest Places on Earth”. They’ve earned far-reaching acclaim for their nature recovery efforts across a 3,000 -acre historic estate, and the mythical Yorkshire landscape surrounding Broughton Hall has been featured on both big screens and Netflix (A Woman of Substance, Emily, House of Guinness).
What surprised me was the intimate, earnest quality of the experience and of the people behind this project - led by Roger Tempest and his wife Paris Ackrill.
The estate has been in the Tempest family since 1032, and still feels so alive. It’s a wonder what active multi-generational custodianship can create. Here you meet people who reignite your passion for living in tune with the land.
Even the apple pickers seemed inspired.
At breakfast, I sat next to Broughton’s Re-wilding Manager and Creative Director, Kelly, who shared that she had committed to a period of not flying for 10 years. This was to really turn her focus to the land. I yearned for that life.
My room generously overlooked the steeple of the Conservatory. I’ll take you into the bathtub with me shortly. I’ll also take you off-road into our wild lake plunge.
For now, some of my favourite details.
The conservatory had communal areas as well as these sneaky little perches along the sides. During unexpectedly crisp weather, I could be surrounded by tropical fronds and flowers - much like my Singapore.
Every room is unique. We were falling asleep amongst museum grade relics - this trust inspired such care and appreciation.
I can now say that both Chopin and I have played on the same grand piano. As I pedaled away, my heels dug into a carpet that had been gifted to the Tempests by Marie Antoinette. Casual.
The red manual above generously offers “Pick-ups and Come-ons for All Occasions.” Social wellbeing is also wellbeing after all.
It started drizzling as I was staring at this gorgeous butterfly. And a beautiful smaller bee or moth… flew under its wing, and asked for shelter. You can see the butterfly accommodating this little guy. Even though there wasn’t much room under there.
The holy bathtub. That filled gloriously fast with hot water and aided me in blurring my thoughts into colors and feelings. Giving up the brain grind for a moment.
My beautiful bathroom in the Garden Room.
A well-placed book that educates on their purpose.
Its uncommon to find a place that is steeped in nearly a millennium of history and is making the historic landscape come alive, while also making it a mission to make you, as a visitor, come alive. Spiritual renewal is also one of their missions of Broughton.
On the second day of the Immersion program, we bundled into a wagon hitched to a tractor and set off for the cold lake plunge. Pastoral beauty lined the way.
Despite the grey skies and misty rain, the cold plunge felt delicious. To warm up, we huddled in the traditional wood-burning sauna hut. It was cellular exhilaration.
The next day, we were brought deep into the regenerated habitats. On the edge of pristine fields sat 1,000 acres of dense shaggy wilderness. In we delved, guided by River Six, Broughton’s on-site ecologist.
What first struck me was how rapidly the land had undergone major change, and how successfully ecological interventions can actually work. The estate had introduced wavy rows of over 200,000 native trees and established natural flood management systems—such as earth dams and wetland scrapes.
It felt like entering a mirage, moving from grazing pasture into a secret lush forest.
On the nature walk, River told the story of their resident beavers. Broughton had gone through great pains to ‘woo’ the first beaver couple to their new habitat, and now proudly have a settled family that is steadily re-engineering the river banks, water flow and helping these new habitats grow structural forest complexity quickly.
We walked lightly and in silence while viewing their carefully gnawed pathways and dam.
Roger Tempest also shared how proud they are that every species of owl in the UK has now returned, for the first time in living memory. It’s a mark of a matured habitat that owls are present, as small mammals (their food) must be in abundance.
After this enlivening walk, we communed for lunch. I had the pleasure to sit next to Alexander Beiner, author of “The Bigger Picture” and visiting resident philosopher at Broughton Sanctuary. He was preparing for a long sojourn into the beautiful landscapes of Australia, with just a camper van, his partner, and a journal.
At meals, around the fire pit, during silent discos and gong baths… I was surrounded by such a lovely array of people - across sciences, public research, historical research, food activism, urban design, and personal wellbeing missions. This Immersion felt so much larger than a retreat. I was becoming a convert to a new way of living.
By positioning public access, wellbeing retreats, and wild food foraging at the center of its mission, Broughton Sanctuary is a living functional blueprint for how modern society can beautifully coexist with a thriving, wild ecosystem.
And then there’s the spa…
The design of every corner in Avalon is stunning. The curved marble of the pool, the curved wood in the sauna, the sparkling ‘stars’ in the steam room, the Aura Soma wall…
Outside the floor length windows of the pool, there is a huge stone sculpture of a girl lying on her side, enjoying a deep rest in the meadow - as wild grasses and flowers grow about her. You can feel the eyes of the artist, Paris Ackrill, behind it all.
Speaking of Paris, she cradled us in a sound bath one evening. It was so unique to have her and Roger’s presence as active hosts and guides through the experience. I’ve never witnessed such a vast yet personal example of custodianship.
To end with, a few beautiful things…
An antique fan displayed in the beautiful drawing room.
The functional and alive church (we attended service) - another credit to nothing about this historical estate living in the past.
A book stand chair thingamajig that I wish they still made. My neck needs this.
Flowers from the property at my bedside.
Sleeping beneath the gaze of Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s Aurelia made me curious to learn more about her. The woman staring out from the canvas is Fanny Cornforth—Rossetti’s long-suffering lover and housekeeper. She was a working class girl, and true to what you can imagine - she did not have an easy life.
Staring up at Fanny in her prime, I couldn’t help but imagine who she would be if she lived today - Living on her own terms. As women, the gravity and preciousness behind an invitation to re-wild our spirits is not lost on me.
Switching gears, I will be writing you soon from my home sweet home - Singapore. My rather sought after list for lovers of wellness, authentic culture and good design.
Crossing thoughts in hyper space,
LVT