Relaxation Day Retreat
at The National Botanic Garden of Wales
Spring, Summer, Autumn 2025
Apr 5 • Jun 28 • Oct 25 • 10am – 3.30pm
Take a break and join us for a refreshing and relaxing meditation day retreat in South West Wales.
What is a Relaxation Day Retreat?
These videos show scenes from our old venue.
About the retreat
A chance to reconnect, refresh and restore the mind and body
Sessions of uplifting dharma talks and guided meditations designed to calm the mind and help you de-stress. Guided walking meditations and meditations in nature to reconnect and soothe the body and mind.
Morning and afternoon breaks to enjoy the quiet of nature, contemplate, and get acquainted with new friends. A delicious plant-based buffet lunch and an afternoon free to enjoy the incredible Botanic Gardens.
What a wonderful way to spend a Saturday!
During this day retreat, you will be guided in an array of deeply relaxing meditations which allow you to completely unwind and settle your body and mind in a state of relaxation, tranquillity, and clarity.
The dharma talks will explore the inner causes of stress, anxiety, and provide you with tips and innovative ways of thinking to calm and de-stress at home. There is also a session of walking meditation and meditation in nature to complement the day.
Whether you are working too hard, dealing with stress, or simply need some time to pause from the pressures of everyday life, this soothing day retreat will help you on your way to greater mental wellbeing and inner peace.
We hope you’ll leave feeling refreshed, nourished, stress-free and ready for the weeks ahead – with new tools to reduce your daily stress and anxiety and to make you a more positive and peaceful person.
About The Venue
Enjoy the tranquillity of the Welsh countryside
A beacon of tranquillity and exploration, the National Botanic Garden of Wales covers 568 acres of picturesque Welsh countryside. Your attendance at the day retreat includes the full day’s access to the gardens. The Botanic Garden is home to an array of diverse plant life, from mesmerising Mediterranean displays to tranquil native woodlands, all nestled within the embrace of lush hills and meadows.
The crown jewel of the Garden is the Great Glasshouse, a symbol of innovative architecture. Tranquil lakes and streams complete the landscape, providing peaceful places for reflection and contemplation. The vibrant local wildlife further enhances the harmonious atmosphere.
This diverse and serene backdrop creates an ideal space for relaxation and rejuvenation, making it the perfect place for our day retreats, and for exploration after our sessions.
Catering
Delicious and fresh vegan meals and refreshments!
The day retreat will include a plant-based buffet-style lunch, supplied by the chefs at the Botanic Garden. There will also be morning and afternoon refreshment breaks for tea, coffee and sweet treats. Everything is freshly prepared to the highest quality.
What's included
Everything you need for a refreshing experience
- One day's admission to The National Botanic Garden of Wales (normally £16.85)
- A nutritious plant-based buffet lunch to complement the day
- Refreshment breaks with tea, coffee and sweet treats
- 2 x Practical dharma workshops exploring the causes of stress, anxiety, and tips to calm and de-stress at home
- Relaxing guided meditations - which are easy to follow and can be practiced at home
- A gentle guided walking meditation (Mindful Movement) to unify body and mind
- A guided meditation in nature (Forest Bathing) to reconnect with nature
- Time to freely explore the Botanic Gardens in the afternoon
- A chance to discuss with others and ask questions
- 1-1 with the group leader during breaks
- Free car parking for the retreat
- Complimentary Wi-Fi access
Reviews
Hear from our previous attendees
Meet the Hosts
Guiding your meditation experience
David Oromith
International Buddhist Meditation Teacher & Retreat Leader
David will lead this day retreat, run the workshops and guided meditations, and be on hand as a mentor to support you.
David is an experienced Buddhist contemplative and meditation guide who has studied and taught internationally for several years. He is the Co-Founder of Samadhi and a qualified mindfulness teacher, Mental Health First Aider, and an active member of the Association for Spiritual Integrity. His teaching style is clear and practical, and his warm and humorous approach makes him a popular mindfulness teacher.
Manu Oromith
Retreat Coordinator
Manu will be there to welcome you and to support our Mindful Movement session.
Alongside our venue hosts, he will be around to assist you during your retreat and make sure you have a wonderful experience.
He is the Co-Founder of Samadhi and a Mental Health First Aider. Manu’s laid-back approach and kind heart has a warming and inspiring impact on our retreatants and he is much loved by all.
Details & Schedule
What to expect
Pricing >
Getting There >
Schedule >
Cancellation Policy >
Mental Health & Wellbeing >
Pricing >
Pricing
The cost of this all-inclusive day retreat is £65
This includes all sessions, your day admission to the Botanic Garden, refreshment breaks (tea/coffee/snacks) and a plant-based buffet lunch.
Getting There >
Getting to the Botanic Garden
The Botanic Garden is situated 10 minutes from the M4 and 2 minutes from the A48 in Carmarthenshire, mid-way between Cross Hands and Carmarthen. For Sat Nav users, our postcode is SA32 8HG.
Please come to the Corporate Entrance (following signs for the Conference Centre) not the public entrance. Follow the directions on this map to reach it.
Journey times:
Swansea – 30 minutes
Cardiff – 55 minutes
Bristol – 1 hour 30 minutes
Midlands – 3 hours
Address and Postcode:
National Botanic Garden of Wales, Middleton Hall, Llanarthne SA32 8HN
Details of specific journeys can be found here. Be sure to arrive at the Corporate Entrance.
Schedule >
Typical Schedule
9.45am-10.00am – Arrivals & Welcome Refreshments
10.15am – 11.30am – Session 1 – Meditation & Workshop (at Ty Melyn)
11.30am – Mid-Morning Tea, Coffee & Sweet Treats
12.00pm – 12.45pm – Session 2 – Walking Meditation & Meditation in Nature (on the Lake Walks, starting from Ty Melyn)
1.00pm – Plant-Based Buffet Lunch
2.00pm – 3.30pm – Session 3 – Meditation, Workshop, and Q&A (at Ty Melyn)
3.30pm – Day Retreat ends with Mid-Afternoon Tea, Coffee & Sweet Treats
3.30pm – 6.00pm – Enjoy the Gardens until Close
During the free time, you can relax, read, spend time with new friends, or take a walk as you wish.
Cancellation Policy >
Cancellation & Refunds
Our cancellation and refund policy for Day Retreats is as follows:
• Cancellation 10 days or more before the event: full refund (minus a 5% admin and payment processing fee)
• Cancellation less than 10 days before the event: refund can be issued only if your place is booked by someone else (minus a 5% admin and payment processing fee)
• Cancellation less than 48 hours before the event: no refund
Our Booking Swap policy (moving your booking to a future date) for Day Retreats is as follows:
• Request 10 days or more before the event: booking can be moved to a future date
• Request less than 10 days before the event: we can move your booking only if your place is booked by someone else. If your place cannot be filled, the above cancellation and refund policy applies from the date which you notified us.
Before booking, you must read and agree to our full terms and conditions.
Mental Health & Wellbeing >
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Please read our health and safety information carefully.
While meditation, yoga and Buddhist psychology have been proven to be beneficial for mental health and wellbeing, our events are not presented as a treatment for serious mental health problems or addiction. Exploring the realm of the mind and emotions can be in itself an emotional experience and we always strive to create a safe, supportive environment for participants to embark on this exploration. However, for certain individuals experiencing psychological or emotional difficulties, this event may not be appropriate at this time. Read more.
Before booking, please read our full terms and conditions and contact us via [email protected] if you have any doubts.
Make a Booking
Reserve your place today
The cost of this all-inclusive day retreat is £65.
When booking with us you are accepting our retreats terms and conditions.
FAQs
Everything you need to know
Please wear something comfortable and non-restrictive.
For the sessions at Ty Melyn, we encourage you to bring cushions and blankets for your comfort. Chairs are provided. Some firm meditation cushions and yoga mats are available for those who prefer to be on the floor instead of a chair.
For the Walking Meditation and Meditation in Nature, we encourage you to wear appropriate clothing and be prepared for the weather on the day.
During our walk we will find a suitable place for our Meditation in Nature. Once there, we will each find a comfortable place to sit in the open, which could be a rock, log, grass, ground, forest floor, etc. You’re welcome to bring a picnic blanket if you wish, and if you require a chair, please bring a camping chair with you.
The sessions at Ty Melyn can be done either on a meditation cushion or the floor, or on a chair, and other than finding a comfortable, stationary position, no extraordinary physical abilities are required.
Our Walking Meditation is no more vigorous than day to day walking, and once we find a place for our Meditation in Nature, we will each find a comfortable place to sit in the open, which could be a rock, log, grass, ground, forest floor, etc If you require a chair, please bring a camping chair with you.
If you have any concerns, please get in touch.
Note from NBGW: While much of the site is served by wide flat, hard paths, some routes are more challenging. Some of the surfaces beyond the core Garden can be uneven, steep and slippery. We therefore advise that suitable footwear is worn. Without limiting any liability caused by our negligence, neither NBGW nor Samadhi can be held responsible should any injury occur.
All food and refreshments will be plant-based (vegetarian). For other allergies and intolerances such as gluten intolerance, please ensure you have submitted your dietary information to us at the time of booking to make sure that our caterers can adjust accordingly.
Our day retreat schedule takes place from 10am-3.30pm, and will include breaks in which you can explore the nearby grounds, as well as a Walking Meditation and Meditation in Nature which take place along the Lake Walks. We will finish with afternoon tea at 3.30pm, leaving you with ample time until the Garden closes at 6pm to explore and enjoy the scenery more freely.
Yes, there is ample free parking close to Ty Melyn, our conference centre.
Arrival is from 9.45am. On arrival, please head over to Ty Melyn where we will greet you. Our first session will begin at around 10.15am.
Yes, Wi-Fi is available in Ty Melyn. We do suggest you unplug during our day retreat to make the most of the peace and quiet.
We believe that it is important that no one is excluded from accessing the teachings and practices of meditation and Buddhism because of low income. This is why we host most of our online events completely free of charge and we’re building an archive of audio and video teachings and guided meditations which can be accessed freely.
If you are experiencing financial hardship and would like to join us for one of our day retreats at the Botanic Garden, please email us at [email protected] as we may be able to offer a reduced rate.
Have another question? Please send us an email or a message us using the chat in the corner of the screen.
