Yahoo News I stayed at Charlotte Church's life-changing wellbeing rural retreat and I am desperate to go back
Some places and people, experiences and exceptional moments stay with you forever and my stay at Charlotte Church's rural retreat is certainly a magnificent memory that will stay with me, as clear as if it was just last week, forever.
As my car snaked up a Powys hillside I got my first glimpse of Rhydoldog House, the period property that used to belong to Laura Ashley's family but was bought and transformed by internationally-renowned Welsh singer-songwriter Charlotte Church to turn into a wellbeing retreat called The Dreaming. And it looked enchanting.
Nestled into the base of a wooded hillside that includes rock formations so special that they have a protection order on them, the house has been built in a location that instantly captivates. Despite being only two miles from the small town of Rhayader I felt like I had entered another world or dimension. For more property stories sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here.
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The transformation of a house, largely stripped and left untouched for a decade by the previous owner who purchased it from the Ashley family, has created a haven of spiritual and emotional nourishment by Charlotte and her team and the whole stressful project was documented in a two-series programme on Discovery+ and the Really channel called 'Charlotte Church's Dream Build'.
However, the television show simply cannot capture the true essence of the house or its location - both are utterly magical in their appearance and ambiance; it's an incredibly special place indeed, something I felt immediately as I stepped out of my car.
The house is nestled within a mesmerising landscape that completely draws you in, with the sound of a myriad of birdsong filling the air. The front of the house boasts a breathtaking panoramic view that sweeps down across the land, through woodland and fields, to the interlocking mountains in the distance, all under a constantly changing sky - it's the epitome of the Welsh rural landscape at its finest.
To the rear, the enchanting woodland that blankets the rocky hillside beckons, inviting exploration and admiration for its waterfalls, cliff-faces and robust rock formations that protrude through the foliage, abundant birdlife and wildlife, and majestic towering trees.
If you're staying for The Nurturer Retreat that runs from a Tuesday afternoon to Friday morning there's a chance that Charlotte will be at the property and I was lucky enough to be staying when the charismatic, creative driving force behind The Dreaming was in attendance.
When Charlotte is at The Dreaming she leads most of the activities which are called 'offerings' because they are offered and not forced on you - Charlotte explained during the welcome talk for my group of eight people that the retreat is all about what you want and need to get out of your stay.
You can do all the offerings or you can just sit in the garden and explore the land on your own, just take a walkie talkie with you so you don't lost within the 46 acres of land that cocoons the property, much of which is protected by SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) status.
There's no mobile signal at the location, so phones, social media and news quickly become insignificant, although a landline number is provided with your booking confirmation for family to use in case of emergencies.
The meal offerings and timings were displayed on a large blackboard in the dining hall as a handy reminder of the day's schedule. The sound of a large gong echoing through the hallway served as a gentle cue that a meal or activity was about to start, which was much appreciated as I soon lost all sense of time.
Charlotte's profound love and connection to the land on which the house stands was obvious, as she shared her primary motivation for undertaking the financial and emotional challenge of creating The Dreaming - to share its nourishing and healing location with others.
It's a sentiment not many homeowners would share, most would happily purchase and keep this unique house and its enchanting land to themselves. But it's clear that Charlotte is a compassionate woman who deeply wishes to share the nurturing qualities of the land with others.
When Charlotte isn't at The Dreaming external practitioners visit to deliver the various offerings, which are in constant development and run to a shifting timetable, so no two stays at The Dreaming are likely to be the same. Food nourishment came via chef Zac, who conjures up organic vegetarian and vegan meals with obvious care and consideration, much of it using produce grown on site, that were wonderfully tasty and satisfying. Any dietary restrictions you can flag up on your booking form before you visit.
Sharing a meal with strangers on the first day, getting to know each other over a hearty meal, is such a natural thing to do, a community ethos that is maybe becoming a rare thing. And these strangers soon became supportive friends as we journeyed through this wonderful experience together.
There's no need to panic if you think you can't go three days without a brew either - there is organic tea and coffee with organic dairy milk and vegan milk on offer throughout your stay, just visit the refectory or the drink stations found on the first and second floors. I snuck in some potential contraband - Yorkshire Tea - but that was not a problem, it's only alcohol that is not found on-site.
A group of extraordinarily friendly volunteers who live on site were on hand to help with anything and everything, including serving the meals, delivering some of the offerings, and generally running the property side of the site. Find out more about that here.
The first evening, after Zac's yummy feast, was devoted to sound therapy in the healing room. We reclined on yoga mats as a symphony of gongs, bells and birdsong evolved from simple rainfall to a powerful crescendo, before subsiding and leaving me with an unusual yet delightful sensation.
It felt as though the sounds had vibrated through my body down to a cellular level, leaving me feeling both rejuvenated and utterly relaxed, with all my worries dissipating into the sonic waves. Gong therapy is believed to facilitate deep relaxation in the brain and alleviate stress, but what made this session particularly memorable for me was Charlotte's unexpected singing.
Her voice seamlessly blended with the layers of sound, making you feel privileged to have been part of such an experience. That night, we all slept soundly until Charlotte's melodious voice wafted through The Dreaming's corridors as a gentle wake-up call - if you wanted to get up, alternatively you could stay in bed, the choice was always yours.
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Charlotte's soft summons invited us to join her by the campfire for an early morning celestial blessing followed by a silent disco. Armed with headphones, we were encouraged to find our own unique spot within the grounds and dance uninhibitedly as if no-one was watching - because indeed, no-one was.
Charlotte's renovation of the Georgian mansion, which appears to draw remarkable Welsh women as its owners, into 'The Dreaming' was a comprehensive 'back-to-bricks' endeavour. The vacant rooms were gutted and then filled with music and song, love and joy, becoming an integral part of their very essence.
From the refectory and lounge known as 'the cwtch' to the healing room and print room that pays homage to Laura Ashley via its more classic country décor, the ground floor is a collection of beautiful spaces full of tactile texture, natural materials and cascades of light.
The Dreaming has seven bedrooms across the two upper floors and each has been given a theme, using layers of natural materials, enriching colours and tones, and pools of statement lighting ensuring that each space has its own atmosphere and personality. See inside the rooms at The Dreaming, including what they looked like before, here.
I stayed in the 'womb room', a dark north facing room that Charlotte's interior design creativity used as a positive, using layers of deep pinks on the walls and soft furnishings, accented with a midnight blue ceiling that made the room feel cocooning and embracing.
During the filming of the Discovery+ programme the building team were not convinced by Charlotte's idea of a shower design that pays homage to the shape of a vagina, but I can report back it was a practical as well as unique space with no shower curtain required, find out more about the womb room and vagina shower here.
On day two Charlotte had to leave The Dreaming at tea time to re-engage with her hectic schedule outside this sanctuary, but before she left we all gathered in the woodland under the mesmerising rock formations to have a sing - well, we were in Wales after all.
Again there was no pressure to participate and, those who wanted to, then dispersed into the landscape to hum and sing on their own whilst wandering down sunlight dappled paths that meandered through the trees and across bridges over sparkling waterfalls. It felt almost spiritual, like we were giving something back to the land that nourishes us (the land might not have actually wanted my singing, but I did it anyway!).
The session ended with everyone gathering next to a waterfall to sing Amazing Grace, and we can all now boast that we have sung live with Charlotte Church, who throughout her time there was so chilled and friendly, happily mingling, sitting and chatting in the garden and the cwtch with the whole group.
My stay coincided with the longest day of the year, and we marked the summer solstice by gathering around the campfire together, followed by wandering down to Woodhenge, a ring of carved tree slabs that encircle the waterfall that flows into the Pool of One Hundred Reflections. Here, accompanied by musical bells and drums, we threw flowers into the water one-by-one in solitude, accompanied only by our own thoughts.
One thing to note is that if you are always a target for midges then pack a strong insect repellent as they come out at dusk en masse. There was a natural repellent you can use at the house which was pretty effective for most guests.
The following morning, 'The Big Walk' was on offer, an opportunity to delve into the captivating woodland and rocks that hug the hillside behind the house. This was a place of intrigue that I was eager to discover.
This is not your typical leisurely walk through National Trust formal gardens - the wooded hillside can be steep in places, with only a rope or steps carved into the land by woodsman Bubbsy for assistance. However, with the support of such a positive group of people, I eventually made it to the top. The effort was entirely worthwhile, with the view being absolutely breathtaking and emotionally overwhelming.
Halfway up the path, there's a waterfall bathing platform to help cool you down. Although there wasn't a torrent of water during my visit due to recent dry weather, there was enough of nature's champagne to refresh us all.
The afternoon was spent in the company of the utterly engaging Dr Kate Tomas, a globally recognised psychic, educator, and spiritual mentor. She guided us through a session of deep meditation and relaxation, teaching techniques that we can incorporate into our daily routines.
At The Dreaming, time loses its meaning. Before we knew it, it was time to return to the noisy, bustling world outside this tranquil haven. But not before one more session of basking on the sun-soaked terrace, losing ourselves in the view once again.
A final stroll through the garden, crafted by Chelsea Flower Show medal winner Juliet Sargeant and now nurtured by Paul Price, affectionately known as 'Paul the plant', was a sensory delight. The vibrant colours, intoxicating fragrances and the chorus of birds and insects created a joyous atmosphere to savour.
Added to the garden memories are the way the house hugs you with light and warmth as soon as you enter and never lets go, and the captivating and unique land that cocoons it all - a truly special combination that has created lifelong memories of The Dreaming that I will cherish.
My advice to anyone thinking about staying at The Dreaming is to treat yourself to some peace, and when you're there dive into everything on offer with an open mind, enthusiasm and a willingness to embrace it all.
Some offerings took me way out of my comfort zone but once I realised I was not going to be judged or laughed at, I fully embraced all the offerings and what I got back in return was a nourishment of my soul and a feeling of being rested and yet revived, with some wellbeing knowledge to take home that has been life-changing.
The Dreaming has two regular weekly retreats to choose from including weekly retreats called The Journeyer, which is the one I experienced, and The Nurturer as well as dedicated days allocated to special retreats.
There is The Kindred Retreat Series, made by and for people from each defined group, ensuring every retreat is safe, comfortable, empowering and enriching, the Belonging Family Retreat, and, this autumn Dreams of Ananda, bringing the ancient Indian science of Ayurveda, Yoga and Meditation from the foothills of the Himalayas, to the Celtic lands of Mid Wales. Unless otherwise stated, all meals and wellbeing offerings are included in the price including snacks and a range of teas and coffee.
Prices start from £450 per person per bed per retreat with a 'pay what you can' space on every retreat. Since opening Charlotte has added to the offering available at The Dreaming.
Called Song of the Soul, the new ground-breaking series of signature retreats that blends research, ancient indigenous practices, and her personal experiences with sound to help you uncover your unique voice in the world - the next retreats for this experience are 25 - 30 August and 1 - 6 November. Charlotte explains more about Song of the Soul here.
For further information about The Dreaming and for booking contact The Dreaming directly via the website here.
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