Soft Landings - Suffolk Edition

This year, we gather in the newly opened ARC Thorpeness, a breathtaking architectural sanctuary on the Suffolk coast. 

Situated between lake & sea & curated within the framework of a former water tower designed by architect William Gilmour Wilson and inspired by Peter Pan. This Grade II listed home is one of light, elevation, and panoramic sea views. 

Set across four expansive floors- with our yoga and living space perched at the top - ARC Thorpeness offers the ideal environment for both connection and retreat. Expect thoughtful interiors, communal corners to hunker down in, and hidden nooks for time alone nestled around the pillars of twice daily extended practices with Lydia & Kelly. As Arc so perfectly wrote, this location offers a 'distinctive sense of place’. The pillars of our practices on Soft Landings.  

• Located in the coastal village of Thorpeness, Suffolk 

• Views across the sea, Meare boating lake & surrounding countryside 

• Outdoor terraces, courtyards and gardens 

• Fire pit area 

• Wood fired hot tub

• Indoor Pool

• Four extended 90-minute practices (Vinyasa in the mornings, Restorative & Nidra in the evenings) 

• Optional bonus fifth practice if time allows 

• Meditation, journaling & space to reflect 

• Long winter walks along the coast, conversation, or quiet time by the fire, bumbling into a local pub for a pint 

• Shared meals & snacks curated by Sophie 

• Two nights / three days in one of the UK’s most inspiring new retreat spaces 

Mats & props are included unless you prefer to bring your own.

Guests are spread across multiple floors. Each bedroom with its own ensuite bathroom.  

• 6 super king/twin rooms 

• 1 larger shared room sleeping 4 

• Space for 16 guests total 

Retreat prices range from £595–£795 depending on room type and occupancy. 

Room Options: 

• Shared Quad Room (4 guests, single beds) – £595 per person 

• Twin or Shared Super King Room (2 guests) – £655 per person 

• Private Super King Room (solo occupancy) – £795 per person 

All prices include: 

️ 2 nights’ accommodation 

️ All meals & snacks prepared by Sophie Gordon 

️ Twice daily extended practices 

️ Use of the full house & all communal spaces 

We’re so thrilled to have Sophie Gordon returning to cook for us again- expect seasonal, nourishing, plant-based meals shared in a family-style setting. All dietary needs will be lovingly catered for. 

Sophie is a chef, caterer and author of ‘The Whole Vegetable’. With a huge love and passion for cooking she works with simple seasonal ingredients to create a variety of vegetarian and vegan based dishes for all occasions. ‘Working with seasonal ingredients allows each dish to be refined, full of flavour and vibrant’. She creates recipes that are dedicated to a veg-centric table, from the earth, fresh, to the table, aiming to create a spread that is not only environmentally friendly but a joyous experience. Keeping with the seasonal theme, Sophie encourages people to be mindful of their waste along the way, again, using the whole vegetable to create meals, using leftovers and getting creative in the kitchen. 

Sophie has been working as a chef for the last 10 years hosting regular supper clubs, catering for retreats and weddings across the globe, as well as organising local events - private, corporate and public. In 2020 she founded her catering business Florence Road Events to enable a broader range of catering. She aims to bring people together and encourage the idea of dining communally and enjoying those all important vegetables.

On retreat you can expect to see lots of vibrant autumnal dishes, working with some of the best local produce. Homemade granola, nut butters and scrambled eggs for breakfast, sweet and savoury snacks; think luscious confit garlic hummus and crudities or zesty date and nut balls. Homemade breads and Sophie’s all time favourite autumn vegetables; pumpkin, beetroot and dark leafy greens.

Her debut cook book ’The Whole Vegetable’ is now available to buy from all major book retailers, as well as the all important independents that feel extra special.

Nearest train station Saxmundham (London 2h)

Nearest airport Norwich (40 miles) Stanstead (47 miles)

Check in on the 28th is 10:30am (please aim to arrive on time and not early where possible)

Check out on the 30th is 10am

Teaching from the heart, Kelly believes in the practice of yoga as a creative space to heal, reconnect and restore both body and mind. Practicing yoga for over a decade, Kelly has teaching experience in trauma-informed approaches to dynamic flow and restorative yoga. Influenced by playful, embodied and functional movement, classes focus on how your body feels over how your body looks, exploring rich sensation through soft awareness of breath. In Flow classes, you can expect a creative, strong but inclusive practice, with space to rest and play. Options are offered for all levels of experience and energy, encouraging curiosity and self-agency throughout. Restorative classes focus on nourishing our nervous systems and using rest as a catalyst for reconnecting with our innate creativity and calm.

Hwyl founder, Lydia has been passionate about movement from a child, be it countless hours of dance classes or attempting back flips off the living room sofa- it made her feel alive. Her initial discovery of Yoga was in her later teenage years, the curiosity in the practice continually grew from this point.

Almost ten years on from then Lydia trained to be a yoga teacher and immersed herself in the wider practice. Training & working as a contemporary dancer, Lydia was curious to learn people’s yogic journeys from all different walks of life, ages, physicality's & capabilities, consequently learning what it really means to teach yoga, share and encourage experiences. Lydia furthered her studies with dynamic practices of The Rocket and Mandala Vinyasa & Shamanism with The Yoga People in 2017 and later went on to train in Pregnancy Yoga.

Lydia teaches a vitalising & powerful practice that is dappled with functional movement and explorative sequencing. Believing, that the practice of yoga should not be about embodying an idealistic view of how it should look but rather connecting our conscious mind to a feeling. Additionally, and possibly most importantly, representing the ethos that yoga is a full-bodied experience that lingers long after the physical practice. Lydia gives huge thanks to all of her teachers that inspired her curiosity in this practice.

Soft Landings 2.0 is your chance to welcome the year with intention, community, movement and rest — all in one of the most beautiful homes in the UK. 

Our retreats are here to extend our community offering & delve deeper into the practices we love and adore at Hwyl with teachers you know and trust. Whether you come alone or with a loved one a retreat is a space for you to simply just be. Creating space and time to enquire to the feelings you have within without lives external stresses.

Early Bird Offer

Book before 1st September 2025 and receive £30 off your total booking. 

Bring a friend discount

Book with a friend and you’ll both receive £40 off your place. 

 (Valid on shared rooms only.) 

Only one offer is valid per booking*

A non-refundable deposit of £300 secures your space. Payment plans are available- just ask & we'll discuss the format with you.