The SLOW retreats offer time and space to inspire and explore creativity and give a voice to women. We encourage women to re-define themselves, their careers and lives through creative expression, sharing, offering and participating. (Occasionally there may be mixed gender creative retreats. Please enquire if interested) .
Inspired by the book 'In Praise of Slow', by Carl Honore, Bordello Banquets runs 3 day, 2 night mid-week retreats. These include a room in 4 star accommodation, to suit personal budget and preference, with use of spa facilities, hot tubs, outdoor wood-fired sauna cabin and indoor saunas too. White cotton bed linen and towels are provided.
There is a clear itinerary and overarching theme to each retreat, but guests can opt in or out of led sessions. There are informal go-to creative spaces throughout the retreat. And finally, there are stacks of amazing transformational, slow, inspiring, creative, interior, gardening and art books and magazines on hand plus pencils and a small journal for your thoughts and doodles in every bedroom.
Meals are provided ready to serve, from a selection of local and wholesome artisan ingredients, with one shared cooking experience per day. This is a communal event. During the retreat guests will cook, share and clear up together, and strip own beds on departure. We encourage you to leave your phone in your room to fully appreciate the retreat. Alcohol is allowed although we do not wish it to be the main focus of the retreats.
Please note ticket options give prices for retreat and rooms separately.
Please ensure that you a book your room and ticket.
If you have something you would like to offer or share during the SLOW retreats please do send me your ideas and in return you will pay for the retreat only if you offer an informal activity or room only if you offer a led session.
IN ADDITION: During the retreat it will be possible to book massage, reiki, reflexology, tarot and card readings. (for an additional cost, enquire via email liz@bordellobanquets.co.uk, in advance)
The theme for January is reading, writing and poetry, though other creative activities will be available too.
TUESDAY
13.00 Lunch
15.00 An informal sharing of where we are at in life - professionally or creatively
Bring something symbolic which represents who you are, where you are at creatively or what you do. Choose a colour which represents how you feel today about your creative life on arrival
17.00 Free time to explore the local area or use spa/sauna facilities
17.00 An informal session with a practitioner, writer, poet, artist
17.00 Time for reiki, reflexology, massage or readings
19.00 Dinner
20.00 Reading by the fire, hot tub, spa facilities
20.00 A guest reading their work or demonstrating a skill in an informal way
WEDNESDAY
10.00 Breakfast
11.00 Free time: walk up onto May Hill - Offa's Dyke section of ancient woodland or use spa/sauna facilities OR
11.00 Raw Food session - talk & taste
13.00 Lunch
15.00 A led workshop/activity/session
17.00 Time for reiki, reflexology, massage or readings
19.00 Dinner
20.00 Reading by the fire, hot tub, spa facilities
20.00 A guest reading their work or demonstrating a skill in an informal way
THURSDAY
10.00 Breakfast
11.00 Final session - read a quote or share an idea on the subject of SLOW and mindful living.
Re-choose a colour which represents how you feel today about your creative life on departure.
How does your creative journey feel now? What will you take away from the retreat?.
Write postcards to yourself and a friend with SLOW invitations and intentions.