Coming Home to Ourselves – Mindful Nature Walking Retreat | 20.06.25

Mindful Nature Walking Retreat

People walking on a footpath in the South Downs near Firle.

Mindful nature walking in the South Downs

Join us for a special mindful nature walking weekend exploring the trails of the South Downs National Park.

 

From our base at the YHA South Downs hostel at Itford Farm, our daily guided walks will take in the spectacular views and rolling terrain of the Sussex Downs, including walking stretches of the 100 mile-long South Downs Way National Trail.

 

The walks will be complemented by a mindfulness-based programme with gentle tai chi and meditation. There will also be free time to relax and enjoy the beautiful landscape.

 

If you’re looking to immerse yourself in inspiring natural surroundings in good company, while finding the right balance of activity and relaxation, then this retreat will be perfect for you.

The retreat programme

Our retreat schedule will include:

  • Guided mindful nature walking.
  • Tai chi and qigong – easy-to-learn mindful movement.
  • Meditation – guided silent practices to help calm and focus the mind.
  • Free time to explore your surroundings or simply relax and reset.

Through this combination of practices we will investigate together the value of developing skills in cultivating awareness, embodiment and relaxation. We will explore how to apply these principles to help bring more focus and enjoyment to walking in nature, and to support our wellbeing in everyday life.

A walk in the South Downs National Park.

The mindful nature walks explained

When we walk with mindfulness, we are invited to pay close attention in the present moment, and in this way both our inner experience and surroundings can come to life. This is the approach we will take as our exploration of the Sussex Downs takes in key landmarks such Beddingham Hill and Firle Beacon.

We will be walking on both the Saturday and Sunday. Our longest route is 12.5km (7.5 miles) and, walking at a moderate pace, is likely to take up to three and half hours including stops to rest.

The terrain for this retreat is hilly with both climbing and descents, so you need to be suitably fit and confident walking these distances in this type of landscape. We strongly recommend that you bring footwear suitable for walking in comfort over a long distance on grass and rough path surfaces.

Example schedule for Saturday

07:30 Wake up
08:00 Morning mindfulness practice
08:45 Breakfast
09:45 Exploring the day’s theme – mindfulness practice
10:45 Pause and reflect
11:30 Tai Chi Movements for Wellbeing
12:30 Lunch
13:30 Mindfulness-based nature walk
17:30 Rest and reflection
18:30 Evening meal
19:45 Mindful meditation and reflection
20:30 Close / free time

Group walk at YHA Festival of Walking 2024

Our base

The retreat will be based at YHA South Downs hostel at Itford Farm.

T
he farmhouses and outbuildings can be dated all the way back to the 1300’s. Previous farms have been known to be on the same grounds for over 1000 years. 

The buildings have been converted into modern and stylish accommodation in a prime spot along the South Downs Way. The unique design and layout of the buildings give this hostel a distinctive look and feel.

The nearest towns are Lewes and Newhaven, both less than a 10-minute drive away. 

Retreat costs and accommodation

The full retreat fee includes accommodation, three meals a day, and all tuition. The accommodation ranges from small rooms to larger dormitories and we are able to offer a range of options from single rooms, twins and shared spaces in the dormitories.

 

YHA members can claim a 10% discount and we can also offer a discount if a single group wishes to book a dormitory for their own use – email runzen.contact@gmail.com to discuss these options.

You have the option of paying the full fee or a 30% deposit and then the remaining balance which is due 60 days before the start of the retreat. Before booking, please familiarise yourself with our Retreat booking terms and conditions.

 

Single and twin room accommodation at YHA South Downs hostel.

Retreat costs and accommodation

Single room (£330) – We have a very limited number of rooms which can be secured as a single so early booking is advised.

Twin room (£600) – For two people who would like the comfort of their own room, the twins have two single beds. The price is the total for two people.

Twin camping cabin (£625) – For two people who would like the comfort of their own space, there are two cabins available each with two single beds. The price is the total for two people.

Bed in shared dormitory (£260) – A bed space will be allocated in either a male or female dormitory, sharing with a maximum of five other people.

Exclusive use of a five or six-bed dormitory – If you would like to attend as a whole group of four to six with exclusive use of your own dormitory, please email runzen.contact@gmail.com to discuss your needs. If we have a whole dormitory free we can agree a price with you at a  discounted rate.

Catering

Food will be full board including breakfast, lunch and an evening meal.

YHA can cater for special dietary requirements if requested prior to the start of the event. Please let us know beforehand.

Veegetables frying in a wok

Getting to YHA South Downs

Address: Itford Farm, Beddingham, Lewes, BN8 6JS

The hostel is located just off the A26 near Southease and only a 3 minute walk from Southease station.

Further details for travelling to YHA South Downs can be found here: https://www.yha.org.uk/hostel/yha-south-downs/directions

Stuart McLeod mindful running profile picture

Your teachers - Stuart McLeod

Stuart has had a love of exploring the outdoors from an early age whether walking, running or cycling.

He has participated in a variety of mindfulness programmes and is a Trained Teacher in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) with Bangor University’s Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice. He is also a teacher of Tai Chi Movements for Wellbeing (TMW) and Qigong Instructor with Long White Cloud Qigong.

Stuart has been practicing meditation in the Chinese Zen Buddhist tradition for over two decades, teaching meditation and leading day retreats with the Western Chan Fellowship.

A key focus of Stuart’s personal practice centres upon the application of mindfulness techniques and skills as a means to help us re-inhabit our bodies.

Image of mindfulness teacher Cesare Saguato

Your teachers - Cesare Saguato

Cesare has been exploring health and fitness, including resistance training, running and hiking from his early teens onwards.

He has attended numerous mindfulness programmes and is a Trained Teacher in Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) with Oxford University, and Mindfulness Based Compassionate Living (MBCL) with the Mindfulness Network. He is also a qualified Psychotherapist and Clinical Supervisor.

Cesare has been practising meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist traditions for close to two decades, teaching meditation and leading day retreats with Bodhicharya.

Cesare recognises the importance of skilfully integrating the mind and body for a greater sense of wholeness in experience, embodied presence and well-being in life. Mindful walking in nature provides the perfect opportunity for this to naturally unfold and he and is passionate about exploring and sharing this with others.

Testimonials

What people say

Ruslan, London

This workshop revolutionized my running. I stopped listening to music whilst running and instead started paying attention to my feet, body and the surroundings. I started forefoot running and adjusted...

This workshop revolutionized my running. I stopped listening to music whilst running and instead started paying attention to my feet, body and the surroundings. I started forefoot running and adjusted my posture, which means I have been injury free since then. No more shin splints and itb pain.

Sara, Chatham

I am very interested in connecting mind with body and this course provided an ideal opportunity to explore that interest. The experience of running with a different mindset and attitude...
I am very interested in connecting mind with body and this course provided an ideal opportunity to explore that interest. The experience of running with a different mindset and attitude was revealing.

Rachel Chatham

Brilliant! This brings a whole new dynamic to my running which will overflow into daily life.
Brilliant! This brings a whole new dynamic to my running which will overflow into daily life.

Janet, London

Great experience and well designed content, delivered in a thoughtful and sensitive way.
Great experience and well designed content, delivered in a thoughtful and sensitive way.

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