A two-night wilderness retreat · Northumberland
Fire. Food. Stars.
Two nights of foraging, fireside suppers and guided astronomy beneath some of the darkest skies in Europe.
What it is
Slow down, look up, and let the wilderness do the rest.
A small, hosted gathering: no phones to speak of, no rush, nothing you need to know first. You are taught to forage, you cook what you find over the fire, and you are shown the sky.
Fire
Outdoor cooking and a long fireside supper, hands warmed against the dark. The fire is where the retreat lives.
Food
Foraged, seasonal and cooked over flame, then carried to the table under the open sky. Nothing to prove.
Stars
Guided astronomy in a recognised dark-sky park, where the Milky Way arrives every clear night as a matter of course.
Two nights, unhurried
A rhythm of fire, forage and firmament.
Arrival
Dusk, day one
Settle in as the light goes. A welcome by the fire and supper in the Lodge.
Night one
Beneath the Milky Way
Guided stargazing from the Dark Skies Balcony: telescopes, stories, and the deepest dark most people will ever stand under.
Day two and night two
Forage & flame
A guided forage in the morning, where you learn what to pick and what to leave. An afternoon at your own pace. Then cooking what you found over the fire as the temperature drops, and carrying it to the table under the stars.
Departure
Morning, day three
A slow breakfast and an unhurried goodbye. You leave quieter than you arrived. That’s rather the idea.
You need know nothing of foraging or astronomy. Just come.
The feeling
Dark, warm, and utterly still.
Before you come
A few quiet answers.
Do I need to know anything first?
None at all. You need know nothing of foraging or astronomy; just come. Everything is gently guided, and you can do as much or as little as you like.
How many people are on a retreat?
Deliberately few. Retreats run in small numbers so the fire stays intimate and the hosting stays personal, often couples and small groups together.
What if the sky is cloudy?
The stars are a gift, not a guarantee, but the fire, the food and the stillness carry the two nights regardless, and Northumberland gives more clear nights than most people expect.
Where do we stay and what’s provided?
You stay on the estate in warm, comfortable surroundings. Meals, guiding, telescopes and firewood are all provided. You bring warm layers and an appetite.
Is it suitable for a special occasion?
Wonderfully so. Many come to mark something: a milestone, an anniversary, or simply a proper pause. Tell us and we’ll quietly make it feel like yours.
Register your interest
Reserve a place by the fire.
Retreats run in small numbers on select dates. Leave your details and we’ll be in touch personally with the next openings.