Grounded Pilgrim Retreat – Vivobarefoot x British Pilgrimage Trust

Grounded Pilgrim Retreat — Find New Meaning in Ancient Wisdom

‍

Book Tickets for Grounded Pilgrim Retreat - 3-7 May

Fri 3 May, 4PM - Tue 7 May, 2PM at Broughton Sanctuary in the Yorkshire Dales

You are invited to the inaugural “Grounded Pilgrim Retreat” at the one-of-a-kind Broughton Sanctuary – ancient stately home meets luxury hotel meets 3,000 acre cosmic nature retreat with a cutting edge biophilic state-of-the-art wellbeing centre, ‘Avalon’ (2024 Top 30 “cool” destinations in the world by Nat Geo Traveller).

The retreat will be the unveiling of Vivobarefoot’s first ever fully-conductive ‘grounded’ footwear, “The Pilgrim”. First pairs of the initial limited-edition run will be yours on arrival.

Each day we will venture out on daily pilgrim routes through the energetic landscape of the Yorkshire Dales and Forest of Bowland, starting with Pendle Hill (the birthplace of Quakerism). The retreat will also include woodland dining, wild saunas and ice baths, morning yoga, natural celestial star navigations, and talks and song from world-leading grounding and pilgrim experts.

Walking tours are for the body, pilgrimages are for the soul, and these are some of the most sacred lands in Britain.

Retreat Schedule‍

Friday 3rd May – Broughton Sanctuary‍

Arrive, settle into your bedroom, and dine before setting your intention at the Door of Transformation, followed by a welcome and gathering in the Fire Temple.

Saturday 4th May – Malham Cove

9 miles (map); After breakfast and transfer, we start our first day's geological pilgrimage at the ancient St Oswald’s church in Arncliffe, nestled in the Littondale Valley, before walking the ‘Monk’s Road’ along an awe-inspiring valley to Malham Tarn lake, a national nature reserve. Meditate on what monk-like simplicity you can bring into your own life, and forage for wayside herbs, aided by superfood and health expert and podcaster, Darin Olien.

Cresting the limestone pavement of Malham Cove, we come to a huge curving amphitheatre of rock created by a glacial waterfall, then in the adjacent gorge encounter an elemental crashing waterfall in the dramatic Gordale Scar, and nearby folklore-drenched waterfall of Janet’s Foss (perhaps taking a quick dip too). From here we will  visit Kirkby Malham, the Cathedral of the Dales before on the way back to Broughton.

Then dinner in Utopia, Broughton Sanctuary's walled garden bistro, followed by songs sung by Guy Hayward and stories around the fire in the Fire Temple with Philip Carr-Gomm, former Chosen Chief of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids.

Sunday 5th May – Pendle Hill

6 miles (map); After morning 'foot first' introduction to barefoot walking and a delicious breakfast, we will transfer to Pendle Hill to ascend the summit, where George Fox had a vision that inspired the founding of the Quaker movement (a spiritual path of simplicity, frugality and adventure that in turn inspired the Clark family cobblers that led to Vivobarefoot). Drink here from the deliciously refreshing holy wellspring from which Fox drank. Walk across the long ridge of this majestic hill then descend the valley of Boar Clough, where silence reigns and the nature spirits are in full force. Pass through woodland and dale before ending at Newchurch-in-Pendle, with which the Pendle Witches were associated.

After getting back in early afternoon, you may opt for the ice bathing, woodland sauna and hot tub experience, or relax and unwind in Avalon pool suite, with its clear swimming pool, hydro-massage pool, organic shaped sauna and steam rooms or book a treatment or a massage.

In the evening we will dine in the Cosmic Woodland at Broughton Sanctuary and then have a bit of a party.

Monday 6th May – Bolton Priory‍

6 miles (map); Starting with morning yoga, we then transfer to Grassington Market Square, before approaching the majestic Linton Church and its waterfalls in the immaculate Wharfedale valley, cross a walkers' suspension bridge and stepping stones (optional), tread the gentle Dales Way down the River Wharfe via the Saxon church of Burnsall to the quintessential village of Appletreewick. Then we will transfer to experience the sweetness of the inner space of the medieval Bolton Priory and offer up in gratitude all that we have learnt.

At the end of all the walking, we will have the use of the Avalon state-of-the-art biophilic Thermal Suite with low-chemical clear swimming pool, steam room, sauna and hydromassage pool both in the afternoon and evening. Then rested, we will participate in a Quaker Circle, led by Galahad Clark, the Quaker founder of Vivobarefoot, and hear from Ruth Allen, geotherapist and author of Grounded, and perhaps take part in woodland art sketching with Laura Carew. Dinner, then a short poetry and song moment in the Chapel, and chill time to be with new friends before the final day.

Tuesday 7th May – Ancestor’s Pilgrimage‍

2 miles (map): This early morning half-day pilgrimage will weave all the elements together. From the Fire Temple, walk silently through the enchanted Cosmic Wood to the Ancestors’ portal with our burning torches. Ascend the Ancestors’ 33 Generations Hill, and walk the spiral of stones, each stone representing one of your ancestors to end at the fire in the centre. We then eat lunch together at Utopia restaurant and disperse at 2pm, with an optional visit to nearby Salts Mill until 5pm, or the option of staying for an extra night (for more information contact Joanne Barratt at Broughton Sanctuary).

****
Your guides‍

We are a charity and our mission is to promote pilgrimage in Britain by helping to develop and publicise new and old paths as well as the practice of pilgrimage itself. We also suggest to pilgrims to ‘bring your own beliefs’. Our team seeks to make this retreat a gently transformative and heartwarming experience that is sure to move you along to the next stage of your own path.

Darin Olien

Darin Olien is co-host of the Emmy™ Award Winning, #1 Netflix docu-series, Down to Earth with Zac Efron. Spending nearly 20 years exploring the planet discovering new and underutilized exotic foods and medicinal plants as a Superfood hunter Darin developed, Shakeology. From his years of experience within the health space, he wrote his New York Times best-selling book, “SuperLife: The five fixes that will keep you healthy, fit and eternally awesome”. As host of the widely popular podcast The Darin Olien Show, Darin curiously explores people, solutions, and health as well as life’s Fatal Conveniences™ – a segment of the show uncovering modern-day flaws and challenges that may be undermining our health and our environment.

Philip Carr-Gomm

Philip Carr-Gomm was Chief Druid of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids from 1988–2020. He is an author of many books in the fields of psychology and Druidry, including The Book of English Music, and is also a sophrologist and psychosynthesis therapist.

Dr Guy Hayward

One of your pilgrim guides, Dr Guy Hayward, is the Director of the British Pilgrimage Trust, which he co-founded in 2014. He has been interviewed about modern pilgrimage for Netflix, BBC1 and BBC2 TV's 'Pilgrimage' and Channel 4’s 'Britain’s Ancient Tracks', contributes to BBC Radio 4 and has written for the Guardian and Spectator. Guy completed a PhD at Cambridge on how singing forms community, founded choralevensong.org and is half of musical comedy double act Bounder & Cad. He will sing sacred and folk songs of the surrounding land.

Ruth Allen

Ruth Allen holds a PhD in Himalayan Geology, inspiring her pioneering approach called ‘Geosomatics’. She explores the erosion/uplift relationship dichotomy as a way of understanding human maturation which has informed her forthcoming book, Weathering (publishing in 2024 with Ebury/Penguin Random House), and has written on nature connection in her book Grounded. She has explored the Rewilding Europe landscapes of the Iberian Highlands (Spain), Central Appennines (Italy), Velebit (Croatia), and the Affric Highlands (Scotland). She lives and works on the edge of the Peak District, Derbyshire and adventures in the mountains whenever she can.

Dawn Champion

Guy will be joined by fellow British Pilgrimage Trust pilgrim Dawn Champion, a historian and keen naturalist with a deep love of the British landscape. Dawn studied history, archaeology and architecture before working for English Heritage and then the Wildlife Trusts. She volunteers for several charities that promote connection with the magic of nature. And other guides to be announced...

‍

Grounding the Retreat with Vivobarefoot

We are proud to announce a partnership with Vivobarefoot to launch the first fully-conductive 'grounded' Vivobarefoot shoe: Pilgrim. With your ticket you will get a free pair of these new shoes to walk in. The Vivobarefoot Pilgrim shoe, as well as being a wide, thin & flexible barefoot design bringing you closer to the earth and natural movement, will provide a further grounding by conducting your body's electrons straight into the earth. Several health benefits are associated with grounding, such as stress reduction, anti-inflammatory, sleep improvement and gut health.

A series of pilgrimages in London, Avebury and Glastonbury will be held in May & June (see our other Ticket Tailor events) to celebrate the launch of this exciting next step for Vivobarefoot, starting with this exclusive event in Broughton Sanctuary.

‍

‍This is a 'Bring your own Beliefs' pilgrimage, and will include:

• ‍‍New ways of meeting old pilgrim places (bring your own beliefs...)
• Songs on the path
• Foraging
• Wild swimming
• Drinking of filtered wild water
• Opportunities for silence and musical rapture
• Engaging history and mythology.

‍

During the retreat you will experience:

Avalon Pool Suite

• Swim in a 20m clear swimming pool looking out onto the adjacent woodland
• Nourish and relax the body in a Hydro-Massage Pool
• Cleanse the body in an Organic Shaped Sauna and Steam Room
• Allow peace and tranquillity to infuse your being in the Floatation Tank

Woodland Sauna, Ice Bathing and Wild Swimming Experience

• Enjoy a rejuvenating experience in the wood fired sauna, set amongst the trees in a magical woodland
• The heat will slow your mind, gently washing away stress and toxins.
• Combined with ice bathing in converted barrels and wild swimming, this is a most invigorating experience to soothe mind, body and soul.
• Connect with nature, nourish creativity, and have some great fun!

Fire Temple Celebration

• Set within a picturesque woodland, this sheltered wooden structure is perfect for an evening of sharing and celebration!‍

Bedrooms
Photos can be viewed here.
‍

‍

FAQ’s

What does the ticket price include? All food, accommodation, the wild wellness experiences and guiding on pilgrimage are included, as well as a free pair of Vivobarefoot Grounded shoes.

Can I camp instead of staying in a room? If you would like to camp, there is an option but it is roughly the same price as a room, so we would recommend that.

What do I bring? Appropriate clothes and shoes; Swimwear; Waterproofs or Umbrella; Waterbottle.

How do I get to the start? Skipton train station is 10 mins taxi away. Car parking at Broughton Sanctuary.

Who can come? Anyone over 18 (or under 18 with parental guidance, bearing in mind the walking distance).

Is this religious? All and no-faiths are equally welcome. We operate a “Bring Your Own Beliefs” policy. We ask that all participating pilgrims tolerate one another, whatever their beliefs.

Will I be asked to share my feelings with the group? We like to keep things light and breezy, so there will be no group emotional sharing moments. If you want to share your feelings in personal conversation when walking with others that is up to you, but certainly not compulsory.

Are there fitness limitations? Pilgrimage is moderately intense. If you struggle to walk all day, this type of pilgrimage may be an unsuitable activity for you right now. There are always plenty of escape points en route. But we will walk slowly, and start early, and 6-10 miles a day are manageable distances for the majority of people, and the terrain can be rocky in places but is not too steep. Unfortunately this pilgrimage is not suited for mobility-impaired people or those requiring wheelchair access.

Can I bring my dog? Sadly not - we can’t accommodate dogs on our guided pilgrimages. However, if you have a registered assistance dog, they are welcome.

What does my money go towards?The British Pilgrimage Trust is a charity, and profits raised from this limited space event will enable the team at British Pilgrimage Trust to make it possible for everyone, of all means, to make pilgrimage themselves. For more details about our charitable activities, please click here. We will also distribute some of the profits to local organisations from whom we have benefitted along the path.

If you would like to make an additional donation to support British Pilgrimage Trust’s work, click here.

We hope to see you on the path.

Book Tickets for Grounded Pilgrim Retreat - 3-7 May

‍