An estate of calm: Unwind at Somerset’s Winterbourne Estate

It turns out you shouldn’t judge a Regency manor house by its Strawberry Hill Gothic façade. As wellness retreats go, Winterbourne Estate – an 18th-century ancestral seat set amid 35 acres of rolling Somerset countryside – doesn’t exactly scream holistic rituals, field-to-fork dining, or longevity-led health assessments.

Four-poster beds, a well-stocked library, and an even more abundant wine cellar? Absolutely. On-demand yoga instructors, sound healers and a spa wing? Not so much. And yet that’s precisely the estate’s unexpected charm: a place where switching off means far more than muddy walks and roaring fires.

To help guests dip their toes into the wellness waters, retreat leaders Ash Evans and Hayley Bright – a master fitness trainer and wellness expert – are on hand to share their signature approach, honed at far-flung retreats in Morocco, Bali and Thailand. At Winterbourne, they shift gears effortlessly, with tailored touchpoints that feel as indulgent as they are restorative.

It may be a world away from white sands and swaying palm trees, but the essence of a retreat, they insist, remains the same: a deep sense of connection – to place, to self, to silence. “The energy here is unique,” says Ash. In a world defined by constant connectivity, wellness at Winterbourne is found in absence: “the absence of noise, of crowds, of demands on your time.”

It’s also found in privacy and personalisation, with experiences gently layered or curated in full, depending on the desired pace. The options are endless. For those who rent the estate in its entirety for private hire, wellness itineraries are completely custom-made – spanning everything from fully immersive retreat programmes to self-guided experiences.

Those renting the manor house or two on-site cottages separately can also plot personalised wellness journeys, opting to dip in and out of the estate’s wider schedule of workshops – or schedule their own experiences and health consultations.

Days might unfold through one-on-one movement classes, group strength and conditioning sessions, or guided walks through the surrounding countryside and villages. The more adventurous could opt for wild swims nearby; for everyone else, there’s the simple pleasure of sinking into the estate’s calm. Evenings, meanwhile, lean celebratory: with the possibility of long-table feasts in the banqueting hall made with seasonal, locally sourced produce that, as Hayley puts it, “reclaim the ritual of the table”.

All guests can choose to enhance their stay with optional therapeutic, regenerative and aesthetic services at ReBourne, the estate’s on-site treatment and longevity space. Here, programmes are built around the latest science-backed discoveries, offering personalised insights designed to optimise performance, recovery and resilience. Guesswork is eliminated; informed decisions are empowered. “We provide a clear, evidence-based picture,” explains Ash. “These insights help guests understand how lifestyle, diet and stress affect their health, encouraging meaningful, lasting change.”

That change begins with everyday rituals: laps in the heated outdoor pool, deep recovery in the showstopper sauna, swiftly followed by an invigorating cold plunge in the Japanese onsen baths. Add tension-easing massages, blood analysis, yoga in the underfloor-heated barn and meditation in the garden. The mantra is steady and sustainable: “Harmony, not hustle”, Hayley muses.

Just down the road, Glastonbury lends its own mystique – a town long steeped in spiritual folklore, poised at the intersection of ancient ley lines. Romans once walked these fields; legends have lingered ever since. “The setting is an active participant, not mere scenery,” adds Hayley. “The gentle roll of the hills, the vivid green of the valleys – nature invites you to slow down, breathe a little deeper, from the moment you arrive.”

Winterbourne pulls off a rare feat: it feels middle-of-nowhere far away, yet it’s barely an hour by train from London. City geometry soon gives way to country lanes and soft horizons – and it’s this balance of accessibility and seclusion, tradition and intention that gives the estate its quiet edge.

Even bedtime has been carefully considered. Interiors by Upstairs Downstairs are another antidote to modern noise, cocooning guests in comfort. Grand, yes, but approachable too. For those looking for period drama, there’s the seven-bedroom manor house itself – all embroidered textiles, antique furniture and lofty proportions softened by warmth. Two reception rooms and a snug glow with log fires, the country kitchen is attended to by a private chef, while the dining room hosts everyone with ease.

For something cosier but no less thoughtful, two self-contained options – Court Cottage and Ford Cottage – sit around a cobbled courtyard. With four bedrooms apiece, they extend the footprint and the farmhouse charm: patterned wallpaper, playful primary colours and wood burners flickering late into the night.

Outside, the centuries-old landscape – immortalised by T.S. Eliot – is equally grounding. Dorset Horn sheep graze beside the namesake winterbourne stream, which rises and vanishes with the seasons. Holm oaks, yew hedges and grassy orchards frame the view in cinematic green. So restorative is the setting that even Glastonbury Festival goers have been known to check in post-revelry, trading crowds for tailored IV drips, gentle stretches and the unrivalled healing quality of stillness.

Ultimately, it’s all about balance: if Downtown Abbey met a Mayfair spa and a Notting Hill yoga studio. Winterbourne doesn’t meet expectations – it quietly exceeds them, one personal best at a time.

Winterbourne is available for short stays of three nights or more, with the option to rent the entire estate, the manor house, Court Cottage or Ford Cottage. Speak to us for customisable wellness packages.