Three days that reset the body and sharpen the mind.
Invitation-only to the Ynyshir community and exclusively limited to 10 rooms”
The Elemental Retreat
We are busier than ever. More distracted. More disconnected. Somewhere between the noise and the pace, we have lost something elemental.
Three days in wild Wales will help you find it again.
Ancient practices woven into the Ynyshir experience. Breathwork, cold exposure, sauna, movement, craft and connection. Everything we do best: food, fire, landscape, atmosphere - and Gareth in his element. Coal, flame and open sky.
Ancient practices. Uncompromising luxury. Wild Wales.
Something shifts. And it stays with you.
This is not a wellness retreat. It is not an escape from life. It is an invitation to slow down, feel something real, and reconnect with the things that make us feel most human.
What Sets Our Retreats Apart
01 / Two Michelin Starred Hospitality
Two Michelin-starred hospitality, brought into the wild. Across the retreat, Ynyshir’s world-class food, wine, bedrooms and service meet open fire, coals, night skies and the raw beauty of the Welsh landscape.
on02 / Expert Facilitation
Led by James O’Keefe and Chris Wimshurst, bringing together industry-leading work in human performance, psychology, coaching, breath work, cold exposure and nervous system regulation to hold the experience with depth, purpose and passion..
03 / Collaborative Energy
The first retreat of its kind at Ynyshir. Two Michelin stars, world-class wellness and the wild Welsh landscape brought together in one carefully curated experience. Intentionally small. Designed to stay with you long after you leave.
THE DINING EXPERIENCE
An Elemental Feast.
Food is not an accompaniment to this retreat. It is woven through it.
Throughout the gathering, guests will encounter a series of shared tables, fire-led experiences and moments of hospitality shaped by the landscape, the season and the philosophy of Ynyshir.
Under the direction of Chef Patron Gareth Ward, the food offering reflects a simple belief: if an ingredient is exceptional, it deserves to be shared. Whether sourced from the Welsh coastline, gathered from the surrounding landscape, or discovered through relationships with some of the world's finest producers, every element is chosen for one reason alone - because Gareth believes it is extraordinary.
At Ynyshir, there are no rules about where great ingredients should come from. The guiding principle is quality, obsession and flavour. Alongside the remarkable produce of Wales, guests may encounter ingredients sourced from across the world — sought out not for their provenance alone, but because they represent the very best of what they are.
DAY ONE - SATURDAY
The retreat begins around the table, with a relaxed brunch that introduces guests to the produce, flavours and hospitality that underpin the Ynyshir experience.
As evening falls, guests will be welcomed into the restaurant for a multi-course tasting menu with wine flight- the experience that has made Ynyshir one of the most celebrated dining destinations in the world. Bold, uncompromising and unforgettable, this is an opportunity to experience Gareth's signature approach in its purest form
DAY TWO - SUNDAY
A leisurely brunch sets the tone for the day, bringing everyone together before a programme of movement, exploration and immersion in the landscape.
Later, the focus shifts outdoors. Gathered around open flame beneath canvas, guests will experience a fire-led feast celebrating exceptional ingredients, cooked simply and confidently. Smoke, ember, fire and great produce - elemental cooking at its most expressive.
DAY THREE - MONDAY
The retreat closes with a shared breakfast and a final opportunity to gather before departure. Time to reflect on the experience, exchange stories and leave nourished, restored and inspired.
Some meals are remembered - Others become part of the story you take home.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Three days. Every moment considered for you.
Arrive at Ynyshir and leave the outside world behind. Over three days in the wild Welsh landscape, ancient practices and world-class experiences sit side by side. Each element has been chosen with one thing in mind: to leave you feeling more alive than when you arrived.
Wellness & Practice
Breathwork and nervous system reset
cold water immersion
sauna and recovery
functional movement
guided walks across the Ynyshir estate and beyond
Craft & Connection
Foraging and bushcraft
Knife making with a master blacksmith
fire-lit conversation and reflection
The Ynyshir Experience
Luxury accommodation across two nights
World-class food cooked by Gareth over open fire
Wine worth lingering over
Exclusive gift bag included, from leading brands.
Meet Your Hosts
Gareth Ward
Gareth Ward is the chef-owner behind Ynyshir, one of the UK’s most distinctive two Michelin-starred restaurant-with-rooms experiences. Known for bold flavour, fire, precision and an uncompromising approach to ingredients, Gareth has built his reputation by challenging what fine dining can be.
His food is intense, creative and full of character, bringing together technique, instinct and a deep curiosity for flavour. For The Elemental Retreat, Gareth brings that same energy into the wild Welsh landscape, creating moments around fire, food and atmosphere that sit at the heart of the experience.
Chef-Owner, Ynyshir
James O’Keefe
James O’Keefe is a Mindset, High performance coach and Oxygen Advantage instructor, creating immersive experiences that help individuals reconnect to themselves through seven core practices centred around breathwork, movement, mindset, presence, honesty, connection, and nature.
Blending modern psychology, philosophy, nervous system regulation, and physical wellbeing, his work focuses on strengthening the mind, body, and spirit through grounded, practical tools and meaningful human connection.
James brings warmth, humour and energy to everything he does, creating the kind of space where people feel safe to challenge themselves, laugh, open up and get out of their own way.
His core belief is simple:
We cannot control what goes on around us.
All we can do is manage our emotions and responses to what goes on.
Coach & Oxygen Advantage Instructor
Chris Wimshurst is a business psychologist, cognitive behavioural coach and founder of Bearwolf. His work sits at the meeting point of psychology, breathwork, nature and resilience.
Chris helps people step out of the noise, reconnect with what matters and approach life with more curiosity, honesty and self-awareness. His style is grounded, reflective and practical, helping people ask better questions of themselves and understand the patterns, pressures and habits that shape how they think, feel and respond.
Through coaching, retreats and immersive experiences, Chris creates space for people to slow down, challenge old stories and find practical ways to carry meaningful change back into real life.
Business Psychologist, Coach & Founder of BearwolfChris Wimshurst
OVERVIEWThe Elemental Retreat - Exclusively 10 rooms only
29th August 2026
Next Dates
2 nights 3 days
Trip Duration
£4,750 per room
Pricing
