Women’s Retreats – 1, 3 and 7 days

Joyce runs a number of retreats to give women the space to talk, reset, relax, and recharge with other women.  Further information also in this blog.

1 day retreat – The Menopause Ceremony, Cambridge, World Menopause Day, Sunday 18 October 2026 – Book Here

A day retreat for women in peri or postmenopause with Dr Sophie Messager and Professor Joyce Harper

There is a moment, somewhere on the other side of perimenopause, when a woman steps out of her cycling years and into something new. Not an ending, but a threshold. Postmenopause is a passage into a phase of wisdom, strength, insight and possibility, and yet few of us are given the time or the space to consciously celebrate or mark it. In most cultures, this shift passes unwitnessed. The bleeding quietly stops, life carries on, and the depth of what has changed goes unnamed. This day is our answer to that silence.

Together, we will honour the journey from our cycling years into postmenopause. Through sharing conversations, reflection, The Dance of the Sisterhood, drumming, music and ritual, we will share our stories, release what is ready to be released, and reconnect with who we are as we step into this next stage with intention, connection and renewed confidence. It is a day to pause and put yourself first, to grow your self-understanding and self-compassion, and to be held by a circle of women walking the same path. We would love you to join us as you move into Your Joyful Years wherever you are in your menopause journey.

3 day retreat – Your Joyful Years: Being the Change Through Menopause and Beyond – 18-21st April 2027 – Wales – booking open soon
A three-day retreat for women in perimenopause and postmenopause to reflect, reconnect and create your vision for the years ahead – led by Dr Stella Duffy and Professor Joyce Harper

For many women, menopause is not an ending but a beginning, for others it can be a daunting mountain range. For all of us, it’s an inevitability in which we can choose to find the possibility. Join Joyce and Stella for an uplifting three-day retreat that celebrates the wisdom, strength and possibilities of midlife. Together, we will create a space where women can share their stories, feel heard and supported, and discover that we are not alone in the challenges and opportunities of this life stage. We will honour your past, explore your present and create a vision for your future. Through conversations, shared experiences, dancing, yoga, creativity and more, we will discover practical ways to support health, wellbeing and happiness while finding greater confidence, purpose and joy. Wherever you are in the menopause transition, this retreat is an invitation to embrace change, celebrate yourself and thrive into your joyful years.

7 day retreat – Wild swimming and yoga retreat in the South of France – 12-19 June 2027 – Book Here (sold out first 2 years)

Hosted by Wendy Yorke and Joyce Harper

Lake, sea and river swimming, natural waterfall cold water dips, country hikes and natural warm thermal spring bathing, plus daily yoga in a beautiful, historic 14th century coach house setting surrounded by vineyards, with stunning views of the Pyrenees mountains. Be guided to the best cold water and wild swim sites in the famous Aude region of Occitania, southern France, by female health expert and scientist Professor Joyce Harper and venue host and resident guide, Wendy Yorke, together with daily yoga with Saveria.

With all your daily needs catered for at the luxury venue by our in-house experienced, retreat chef, Mhari Elizabeth, and author of her own recipe book, Nourished by Plants, you will be nurtured and nourished, not only by the organic, freshly-made daily menu and living water experiences, but also with the range of activities to feed your soul. Nature meditations; intention setting maze; crystal bowl sound bath; Dance of the Sisterhood; chanting; nature walks; all inclusive, while optional, essential oils body massage and foot reflexology aromatherapy massage can also be provided.

Podcast

Her podcast, Why didn’t anyone tell me this? is listened to in over 90 countries and is ranked in the top 10% of podcasts globally by Listen Notes. It comes out every two weeks and is now in Season 4.

Tuesday 28 April, 7.30pm – Saffron Community Link, Saffron Walden | More Information Here

Thursday 30 April, 7.30pm – The Rayleigh Arms, Chelmsford | More Information Here

Thursday 7 May, 7pm – The Leander Club, Henley on Thames | More Information Here

Monday 11 May, 6.30pm – The Lord Nelson, Brighton | More Information Here

Tuesday 12 May, 6pm – The Square and Compass, Swanage | More Information Here

22-24 May – The Big Retreat Festival, Pembrokeshire, Wales | More Information Here

Friday 29 May, 7.30pm – Domaine de Mournac, Southern France | Contact Wendy Yorke, wwendy.yorke@gmail.com

11-13 Sept – Big Retreat Festival, Cambridge | More Information Here

Saturday 3 October – Pause Live, London | More Information Here

Wednesday 7 October – Liznojan Bookshop, Tiverton | Details to follow.