All accommodation is in comfortable dormitories. The accommodation, studio and eating areas are situated close together around a thoughtfully maintained garden next to gentle meadows offering stunning, panoramic views, allowing you space between activities and room to wander and reflect. There are two recently renovated dormitories, The Studio and The Playroom, which offer comfortable and spacious accommodation for up to seventeen people.

All accommodation is equipped with toilets, showers and washing areas as well as hot drink making facilities. There are good quality, sturdy single and bunk beds with individual storage drawers. Duvets, pillows, linen and towels are provided. Apart from the sensitively managed estate in which students are free to wander, there is also a private hard surface tennis court and open air pool that you are welcome to use in warmer months.

All activities are optional but it is best for the group if you try to participate in most, especially the yoga sessions. Content and times will vary according to the weather and the groups needs, so more cozy in winter and evening meditations may be outside whenever weather permits and warm blankets enable! There are plenty of nooks and crannies at Gayles for you to retreat whenever you need and the studio will be available as a silent space between classes.

Weekends sample program

Friday

• 16:00 - 17:00 Arrival and tea
• 17:00 - 19:00 Yoga, releasing and opening through to restorative
• 19:30 - 21:00 Dinner
• 21:00 - 21:30 Mindfulness meditation
• Sleep well!

Saturday

• 08:00 - 09:00 Breakfast
• 09:30 - 10:00 Nutrition talk Easy Energy and Release from Cravings
• 10:00 - 12:00 Yoga, energizing, heart-opening and rejuvenating
• 13:00 - 14:00 Lunch
• 14:00 - 17:00 Free time to explore, walk, chill out, have a massage (half-hour slots to be booked in) or even swimming for the brave!
• 15:30 - 16:30 Optional silent walk with Roz Robinson (retreat owner & yoga teacher)
• 17:00 - 19:00 Yoga, mindful, active relaxation and restorative
• 19:30 - 21:00 Dinner
• 21:00 - 21.30 Mindfulness meditation

Sunday

• 08:00 - 09:00 Breakfast
• 09:30 - 10:00 Nutrition focus Mindful Eating Exercise
• 10:00 - 12:00 Yoga, energizing, heart-opening and releasing
• 13:00 - 14:00 Lunch
• 14:30 - 15:30 Mindful yoga and meditation
• 16:00 Departure

• 

  Charlotte Watts

  Vajrasati School Yoga Alliance RYT 500 (Yoga)

  Charlotte is a 500-hour Yoga Alliance certified teacher from the Vajrasati School in Brighton; practicing since 1996 and teaching since 2006. She further trained with Fiona Agombar and Heather Mason, continuing her interest in yoga as therapy for anxiety, depression, and stress states. She deepened her mindfulness practice through a specific mindfulness course for yoga teachers with Cathy-Mae Karelse. She continues to study with teachers Tias Little, Judith Lasater, and Donna Farhi as they combine her love of mindful, somatic practice, yoga as meditation, and a compassionate attitude.

Gayles is a picturesque retreat centre ideally situated in outstanding countryside on the South Downs, five miles from Eastbourne and fifteen from Brighton. Here rural doesnt mean hard to reach; there are excellent train services from the nearby towns that provide direct travel to and from London Victoria, Gatwick, Ashford International, Brighton and so on.

Gayles is just one-and-a-half hour drive from London and there is a regular bus service that conveniently stops beside the entrance. For European visitors there is a ferry service to and from mainland Europe from Newhaven, which is only a twenty-minute drive away from retreat.

The environment and ambience at Gayles encourages an open, safe, relaxed and intimate atmosphere that promotes learning and self-development. The owners Derry and Roz believe that retreats should be fulfilling and inspiring; unobtrusive but available. They do all they can to support you in making the most of your time here so that everybody leaves feeling stimulated, nourished and refreshed.

Gayles is set in ten acres of land with beautiful sea views from the cliffs; adjacent to the Seven Sisters Country Park (an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), The National Trust Crowlink Estate and Friston Forest.

With its open fire, high ceiling and refreshing artworks, The Stables, a beautifully converted 1930s stable and adjoining property, provides a warm and practical area for eating, chatting and relaxing. The ground level has an open-plan, well equipped, kitchen and dining room with under-floor heating.

There is a separate stereo system with a CD player, DAB radio and amplifier (with an iPod connection cable) which you may wish to use to enhance your own ambience. Immediately outside there is a large, decked, seated eating area which is wonderful for informal meals and gatherings in more clement weather. There is extraordinarily beautiful countryside, seaside and excellent walking opportunities all around.

Distances

• London - 1.5 hrs

Good quality locally sourced food is tasty and nourishing and is served in the relaxed atmosphere of the beautifully converted dining room. If the weather is sunny there is the option of eating out in the open on the terrace. Food will be vegetarian and organic and Charlotte works alongside the chef to ensure it follows her exacting nutritional standards!

• 2 nights dormitory accommodation
• All food
• Silent walk session
• Yoga sessions

• Alcoholic drinks
• Massage
• Snacks

Driving directions

• Travelling east on A27 from Worthing/Brighton, follow signs to Newhaven/Lewes.
• At roundabout after the rail crossing you have a choice between Lewes and Newhaven; take A26 to Newhaven / Seaford.
• Alternatively follow the coast road A259 from Brighton to Newhaven.
• In Newhaven, follow sign to the left for Seaford A259.
• Carry on the A259 until you reach Seaford and a mini roundabout with the train station on your right hand side.
• Stay on the A259 going out of town and continue in the direction of Eastbourne.
• You will come upon a small bridge spanning a water course.
• Continue over the single lane bridge and you will then come upon a farm house and the Seven Sisters Cycle hire shop on your left where the road begins to start to climb up a small hill.
• Approximately 2 miles beyond these buildings towards the crest of the hill there is a bus stop on the right hand side of the road as well as the entrance to the private road leading to Gayles.

Arrival by bus

Buses run from Churchill Square and the seafront regularly, taking just under an hour directly to the top of Gayles driveway.

Arrival by train

From Victoria every 30 minutes, change at Lewes for Seaford, takes approximately 1 hour 20 minutes. There are usually taxis at the station. Gayles retreat is 4 miles from Seafords railway station.