Charlotte Church opens Mid-Wales wellness retreat

Singer Charlotte Church has opened the Dreaming, a new wellness retreat at the former Rhydoldog House in Rhayader, Powys.

The transformation of the property, the former home of interior designer Laura Ashley, has been the subject of a documentary series on the Discovery Channel.

The three-day retreats see guests able to choose from a selection of wellbeing activities including yoga, sound healing ceremony, foraging, mythic storytelling, stargazing, cold water immersion, singing at dawn, den building, sensory portal building, painting, dance, dreamwork, outdoor cinema, herbalism, woodwork, meditation, Qi Gong, silent disco and night-time forest bathing.

Rooms are themed and "ethically decorated", including east-facing rooms for guests to enjoy the sunrise, to a ‘moon room' overlooking the moon garden, and a Japanese-themed room. All rooms have ensuite facilities and three meals a day are provided in the refectory.

The 47-acre grounds include waterfalls, caves, a forest, and a den for outdoor sleeping. The venue also has gardens central to the sustainability ethos of the Dreaming and its activities, including a physic garden growing medicinal herbs for use in teas, balms, tinctures, soaps and lotions.

Prices start at £450 for three nights including all meals and activities, with a ‘pay what you can' space available on every three-day retreat.

Church said: "I have regularly tried to use my platform to campaign for climate action, economic equity, and wellbeing for all. Some of that has turned out to be effective and meaningful, but I always felt there was more I could be doing. I think that's why I fell so utterly in love with Rhydoldog House, as it gave me a vision of an integrated healing centre in line with my most deeply held values. The realisation of that vision has completely changed my life and I hope that we can help our guests change their lives too, even if it's just in small ways."

Image: Rekha Garton