The Clover Mill
Herefordshire, England
Gorgeous ayurveda retreat in a converted mill for treatments, yoga and vitalising meals
This beautiful retreat based around a restored 17th century water mill is nestled in the rolling Malvern Hills of Herefordshire. Come for a range of themed retreats featuring authentic ayurvedic treatments, use of a large steam room, thoughtful yoga in a light-flooded studio and revitalising home-cooked organic ayurvedic meals. You’ll find rest in your stylish eco-lodge, secluded by woodland, looked after by an attentive team.
our Reviewer Sally Lovett says:
‘I left The Clover Mill on a Monday morning feeling the most rested I’d felt in a long time. My tailor-made programme of nourishing and grounding meals, yoga and treatments had clearly done the trick in balancing my vata tendencies’
Queen of Retreats says:
‘This is a true back-to-nature retreat. Wander through the orchard, commune with the alpacas or just sit under the mulberry tree listening to the birdsong and taking in the flower-filled views. Bring outdoor shoes that easily slip on and off as you will need walk between buildings. Guests usually eat together, but feel free to ask to eat alone if you want some quiet time’
Experiences
Carefully crafted ayurveda and yoga retreats run on set dates throughout the year. They include a personal dosha (body type) assessment, ayurvedic talks, ayurveda-inspired meals and cookery demonstrations, and treatments tailored to your ayurvedic type.
Choose from a range of interesting themes, from a weekend Re-set, a 5-night Revive and ingenious retreats for the visually or hearing-impaired, to a focus on resetting your gut microbiome for aimed at anyone suffering from stress, anxiety, depression, digestive issues or who want to lose weight.
Ayurvedic treatments use sumptuous Tridosha oils and are divine. They include massages, shirodhara (the rhythmic pouring of oil over the forehead), chavutti thirumal (a massage done with the feet), reflexology, exfoliations and facials. A post-treatment steam and hand-delivered cup of tea afterwards add to the nurturing process.
Different yoga styles are on offer with local teachers, including Iyengar, vinyasa flow, holistic, kundalini and hatha. Join a group class, or book a one-to-one. Meditation and mindfulness feature in all retreats.
Between sessions relax in your room, or amble along a little path by the brook and up to the gushing weir that pushes the river down to the mill. Keep your eyes open for herons and otters. There are also plenty of longer walking trails nearby.
Spaces
Yoga, treatments and consultations take place in the beautiful, rustic mill, designed according to the ayurvedic principles of ‘vastu’ to ensure a harmonious balance with nature. You can expect spacious, vaulted ceilings, timber designs and earth tones.
There’s a large yoga platform beside the lake for warm days, a fire pit, and plenty of spaces in nature dotted around for you to enjoy between sessions, including a lovely long terrace with tables and chairs for meals or writing.
A two-storey late 1600s building is used for talks and meals. The homely dining room has a cosy log fire in winter, candle-lit walls and plenty of comfy chairs. There's also a relaxation room above the dining room where you can snuggle into a large beanbag or on the sofa.
Hidden amongst elegant alder trees, the six eco-lodges have floor-to-ceiling windows that open onto private decking and trees. There’s under-floor heating and luxuriously comfy bedding. Decor and fabrics are neutral. The super king-size bed can be split into twins.
The spacious bathrooms have deep tubs and a walk-in shower with ayurvedic Tridosha toiletries. Tucked in another area of the garden is a larger lodge with disabled access and a shower room.
Sustenance
Colourful, vitalising vegetarian meals use veggies, fruits and herbs, homegrown in the colourful and expansive wellbeing garden.
On group retreats your first meal will be tridoshic to suit all body types, but after that all meals will be tailored to your dosha.
Delicious dishes include cardamom-infused porridge, vegan pancakes, fresh vegetable soups and lightly spiced curries.
Most meals are sugar-free, gluten-free and wholemeal. Vegan options and specific intolerances are happily catered for.
To drink, there’s home-brewed kombucha, teas to suit your dosha type and, from time to time, a rose water lassi.
