A retreat is a true gift to yourself, an opportunity to pause, reflect, and nurture your wellbeing.

Recently, I gave myself such a gift by attending the Nourish & Play retreat at The House of Bohème in Norfolk, organised and facilitated by April (@thenourishco). As a neurodivergent adult, I have ADHD and I really struggle to fully switch off and relax, to allow myself to not have to plan and organise is a huge achievement. This retreat was thoughtfully planned and organised for me, and truly embraced its theme of nourishment and playfulness.

Upon arrival at the beautiful house tucked away in a peaceful Norfolk village, we were greeted with refreshing mocktails and handmade energy balls to recharge after our journeys. Beautiful gifts were set up in each room, after settling in, exploring the serene grounds, and meeting the other attendees our dinner was served.

The Food

The food for the weekend followed a plant-based menu, lovingly crafted by chef Jeni England (@jeniengland) a self taught, plant based chef. Each day, we were treated to a two-course breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with dessert, and snacks always available. Every meal was delicious, with inventive flavour combinations highlighting the freshness of the ingredients. My personal favorite was the satay butternut squash, a perfect blend of warmth and spice.

The House of Bohéme

The house itself was an aesthetic dream. Thoughtfully designed, every room radiated calm with its muted tones, wood accents, and nature-inspired décor. The abundant garden added another layer of tranquility, complete with blooming flowers, a walled rose garden, and fruit trees laden with produce. It offered plenty of cozy spots for reflection, big squishy sofas, hanging egg chairs and the luxurious amenities including a hot tub, sauna, cold shower, and cold tub, created the ultimate space for relaxation. A wooden swing and hammock in the abundant garden made it easy to lose track of time under the gentle sway of the birch trees.

Our itinerary for the retreat was a perfect balance of structured activities and free time. Whether you wanted to explore the local area or stay within the nurturing environment of the house and garden, there was something for everyone. Personally, I spent much of my free time lying back in the hammock and soaking in the late summer sun, listening to music, and watching the leaves dance above - pure bliss.

Activities & Healing

Each morning began with yin yoga, a slow, restorative practice that focused on breathwork, gentle movements, and grounding herbal teas. With a focus on supporting the digestive system and liver, the sessions aligned beautifully with the seasonal shift into autumn.

The retreat also offered several creative activities that tapped into our playful side. We enjoyed a tea-blending workshop and a fun, light-hearted biscuit decorating session, complete with icing pens and sprinkles to unleash our inner child. Lizzie (@crouched.li), a small batch potter based in Colchester, joins us to facilitate a pottery painting class and it was amazing to see how unique everyone’s creations were.

Not forgetting the most amazing sound bath curated by April and delivered with an array of beautiful instruments and vocals. One of the retreat’s highlights was a deeply healing treatment provided by Laura (@lauraroselifestyle), an intuitive holistic practitioner, based in Earls Colne, Essex and whose connection with each of us was truly special. It’s hard to put into words how profound this experience was, it felt as though she understood our individual energetic needs on a deeper level. I had a beautiful facial and reflexology treatment and was able to fully relax knowing I was safely held.

Connection with Nature

We were also offered the option of a daily woodland walk, where we connected with the local land through grounding exercises and cacao ceremonies. These walks were a beautiful way to reconnect with nature and share wisdom over a cup of cacao. The magic that unfolded during these moments, supported by the natural surroundings, was truly indescribable. On the last night we ended with a fire circle and toasted marshmallows.

The connections formed with each other felt powerful, a testament to the safe, nurturing environment created by April. It’s hard to capture the essence of this retreat in words, but the experience left me feeling grounded, refreshed, and deeply connected - magic.

I can't wait to return to House of Bohème in January for another retreat by April for the Heart and Soul retreat, and I look forward to the plant-based menu by Jeni.

This retreat was truly a gift I’ll continue to cherish.