💙 Relax and recharge in 2026 💙
 

Immerse yourself in a luxury retreat that blends yoga, wild swimming and food of the gods – and get £75 off your booking

With all the festive indulgence and busyness behind us, it's only natural for many of us to start looking towards healthier habits and moments of calm for the New Year.

Me? I'm looking at retreats for 2026. Something to take me away from the day-to-day stresses of modern life; to escape to somewhere rural and quiet with good food and a dose of luxury for a few days. Oh, and it must include wild swimming, of course.

Last spring I had the pleasure of joining a Zest Life retreat in the Lake District. It was a heavenly mix of yoga and swimming, interwoven with meditation, nutritious food and new faces to get to know over five glorious days. It was an experience I enjoyed so much I'm tempted to book another retreat, perhaps on one of their North Wales escapes, or their sun-kissed adventure in Ibiza.

Luckily, Zest Life are offering Outdoor Swimmer readers £75 OFF their 2026 retreats with the code OUTDOORSWIMMER75. The offer ends in a week's time so make the most of it while you can!

Keep reading to find out what you can expect on a Zest Life Retreat, and why so many of their guests just can't help coming back for more.

Abi Whyte

Digital Editor, Outdoor Swimmer

Abi's 6 take-aways from her Lake District escape with Zest Life 

💙 The location is heavenly

Zest Life's Lake District retreat is at Silverholme, a Georgian manor on the southwestern shore of Lake Windermere. Guests are free to roam the elegant grounds, relax in the cosy communal rooms or retreat to their luxurious bedrooms for 'me' time.

💙 The food is out of this world

Throughout the retreat, Zest Life chef Kelly Mason creates an imaginative menu that's all the colours and flavours, yet all plant-based, seasonal and utterly good for you. You'll want to take Kelly home with you by the end of your stay.

💙 Laura is a yoga goddess

Laura’s yoga sessions take place twice a day in the estate’s fully equipped yoga studio. While I practice yoga regularly I still consider myself a beginner, but I always felt reassured by Laura’s clear and gentle guidance throughout the retreat. You really do feel that you're in safe, nurturing hands with Laura.

💙 The swimming is glorious

Over the five days we visited lofty, peaty lakes and sparkling tarns just a short drive from the retreat, as well as making use of the retreat's beautiful location on the shore of Windermere. All the while we were under the watchful eye of our swim guide, English Channel swimmer Makala Jones.

💙 You're in the best company

Whenever you meet wild swimmers, you know you’re in the company of good people. People who will say yes to a sunrise swim and laugh manically with you while cold water floods your nether regions. I made friends with some amazing women during my stay – I hope to meet them again on a future retreat!

Zest Life's repeat retreaters 

Zest Life is perfectly placed for the recent rise in female solo travelers, with many of the retreat's guests returning year after year. What keeps them coming back?

Sharon Naughton enjoyed her 12th retreat with Zest Life in September:

"What keeps me coming back? Being treated like a queen by the attentive staff. Yoga that feeds body and soul. Fantastic swim coaches and swimming experiences in beautifully scenic settings. Amazing food and wonderful women who come from different walks of life who share a common goal of self-care. Laura and her team have consistently over many years delivered a great experience."

Lynn Michael has just booked her 11th retreat with Zest Life:

"Laura pours care, attention and expertise into every aspect of the retreat, but even more important is that it is all heartfelt and comes from Laura’s deep commitment to yoga and deep affinity with the natural world. The attention to detail shines through. Kelly the chef is amazing and every meal is delicious and beautifully presented. The highest recommendation I can give is that I have already booked again for next year."

Zest Life's upcoming escapes 

Yoga & Cold Water, North Wales | 27 February (3 day) | 13 November (3 day):

This yoga, cold water immersion and breath work retreat was created to offer a transformative space for those seeking to release the buildup of stress and tension from daily life.

Yoga & Swimming, Lake District | 24 April (4 day) | 27 April (5 day) | 25 September (4 day) | 28 September (5 day)

This yoga and wild swimming retreat in the Lake District was created to help you reconnect with nature in one of the UK’s most stunning and serene location.

Yoga & Swimming, Anglesey | 7 August (4 day) | 10 August (5 day)

This yoga and wild swimming retreat on the Isle of Anglesey offers the perfect weekend escape, blending the healing powers of yoga, wild swimming, and nature.

Yoga & Adventure, Ibiza | 25 October (6 day)

This retreat captures Ibiza's wilder, more soulful side. Away from the crowds, this retreat blends daily yoga with hiking, kayaking, and wild swimming in hidden coves and along scenic coastal trails.

Single, double and twin rooms are available. Prices start from £745pp and it’s just £250 deposit to hold a place.

Zest Life are offering Outdoor Swimmer readers £75 OFF their 2026 retreats with the code OUTDOORSWIMMER75. Book your retreat now to make the most of this fab offer while it lasts! Offer ends 9 January.