THE BIG RETREAT
Tucked into the emerald folds of Pembrokeshire’s National Park, The Big Retreat has quietly evolved into one of Britain’s most uplifting wellness gatherings. What began as a small coastal get‑together is now a four‑day celebration of movement, music and mindfulness that draws everyone from busy urbanites to seasoned outdoor lovers. Its location on the banks of the Daugleddau Estuary is a festival‑goer’s dream: sea‑salt air, birdsong at dawn and sunset views that wash the entire site in pastel gold.
The programme is vast but refreshingly unpretentious. Each morning starts with a choice of vinyasa flow, breath‑work or a bracing wild‑swim in the tidal creeks below the site’s clifftop fields. If cardio is more your pace, sign up for coastal trail runs or saddle up for a guided gravel‑bike ride through bluebell‑lined lanes. Throughout the day, pop‑up fitness tents host everything from kettlebell circuits and calisthenics workshops to 1980s aerobics sessions—complete with neon leg‑warmers and thumping retro beats.
Yet The Big Retreat isn’t just about breaking a sweat; it’s equally committed to feeding the mind. A dedicated Talks & Ideas marquee features psychologists, nutritionists and best‑selling authors exploring topics like digital detoxing, intuitive eating and forest therapy. For hands‑on creativity, head to the Craft & Curiosity village where you can throw pottery, carve spoons, brew kombucha or learn the art of natural dyeing with foraged plants. Each workshop is capped at small numbers, ensuring you leave with a new skill rather than a half‑finished macramé knot.
When hunger strikes, the festival’s food court is a micro‑tour of modern British street food—think wood‑fired flatbreads piled with local lamb, vegan pakoras drizzled in wild‑garlic yogurt, and fruit‑laden açai bowls for a midday refresh. A zero‑single‑use‑plastic policy keeps things sustainable while the onsite producers’ market lets you stock up on Pembrokeshire cheeses, seaweed seasonings and small‑batch gins to take home.
As evening rolls in, the vibe shifts from active to atmospheric. A woodland stage lights up with acoustic folk before giving way to funk, soul and feel‑good DJ sets that run until the small hours. If partying isn’t on your agenda, follow the lantern path to the Zen Den, where candlelit yin yoga and sound‑bath meditations send campers to their tents in a state of blissful calm.
Accommodation is wonderfully flexible. Bring your own tent and pitch on the main meadow, or splash out on a furnished bell‑tent or geodesic dome complete with real beds and cosy throws—ideal for waking up refreshed before another sunrise on the estuary. Hot showers, compost loos and a dedicated quiet field prove the organisers’ commitment to comfort as well as eco‑responsibility.
Ultimately, what makes The Big Retreat special is its inclusive ethos: there’s no pressure to plank longer, chant louder or post perfect photos. Whether you’re there for fitness challenges, gut‑health talks or simply to swing in a hammock with a craft cider, the festival’s underlying message is the same—slow down, breathe deep and rediscover what makes you feel alive. In a world that rarely stops scrolling, four days of mindful adventure on Wales’s most beautiful coastline might be the retreat we all need.