A Wilderness Retreat:

A Weekend to Pause, Connect & Recharge in Nature.

Save my spot

Being a dad is rewarding — and demanding.

Barefoot Dads is a unique weekend retreat, run by dads, for dads. Set in the stillness of the Forest of Dean, it's an invitation to slow your pace, drop the mask, and simply be yourself. Guided practitioners will offer, not insist — allowing you to lean into what feels right.

Authenticity is at the heart of this gathering: you’ll be welcomed genuinely, without judgement or “fixing.” There’s no electricity, so expect to unplug. It’s about choosing rest, reconnection, and renewal in nature’s rhythm.

What’s included

  • Guided somatic & restorative practices

  • Sauna and a floating sound bath in forest setting

  • Catered meals with seasonal fare (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

  • Time simply to be: read, rest, walk, connect, reflect

  • A safe space to drop the armour, share stories, or sit quietly

  • A weekend off-grid — no electricity, just firelight & trees

  • Parking is included

Aerial view of a lush green forest surrounding a small lake with reflections of trees on the water.
Two beds inside a cozy tent with patterned pillows, surrounded by potted plants and lanterns, on a woven rug.

Date: Friday 29 May - Sunday 31 May 2026

Check in: 4:00pm (Friday)

Check out: 12:00pm (Sunday)

Location: Barefoot & Bower, Gloucestershire 

Cost: £490 (includes 2 nights - full board with shared 5m fully furnished bell tent)

Or £390 (for 2 nights - full board, if bringing your own tent)

✨ Take advantage of our early bird offer ✨
Book your place before 31 December 2025 and enjoy £50 off your retreat.
A little gift for giving yourself the time and space you deserve.

What you can expect:

  • Guided somatic and restorative practices

  • Wild swimming in natural surroundings

  • Wholesome shared meals around the fire

  • Time to reflect, recharge, and connect with others

Things you need to know

 
Wooden bear sculpture holding a sign that says 'Barefoot & Bower' with a drawing of a house and a dragonfly, standing on a tree stump in a grassy area.
A cozy outdoor tent with warm yellow lighting, decorated with string lights, pillows, and plants, creating an inviting space at night.
Camping setup by a river with wooden chairs, trees, and a portable sauna in a forested area.
A wooden dock extends into a calm lake with a small rowboat tied to the side. Trees line the background, and the sky is partly cloudy with some sunlight breaking through.
Aerial view of a dense, green forest surrounding a small lake, with rolling hills in the background.

Meet your host

Meet your facilitator

Lucy is the founder of Wye Valley Wellness and a deeply experienced wellbeing practitioner. With a gentle, grounded approach, she weaves together mindful movement, reflection, and restorative practices that invite people to slow down and feel truly present. Passionate about supporting men in their health and wellbeing, Lucy creates safe, welcoming spaces where authenticity is celebrated and growth feels natural.

Jacob Guy has over 3.5 years’ experience supporting fathers and empowering men on their parenting journeys. He founded and leads the successful Torfaen CBC Health, Sport & Fitness for Dads-by-Dads program, collaborating with organisations like ABUHB and 4Minds to create essential resources for new and expectant fathers.

Through his initiative JSG Health for Dads, Jacob promotes physical and mental well-being, building a community where dads can share experiences and access valuable support. A passionate advocate, he regularly facilitates groups, delivers talks, and appears on podcasts to raise awareness of the challenges and rewards of fatherhood.

A woman with glasses smiling in a brightly decorated room with yellow walls, a circular patterned artwork, and folded blankets or towels on a shelf in the background.
A man sitting at a table with hands clasped, speaking or listening, with a brick wall background and a large green plant nearby.

Meet your facilitator

Andy Squiff – Inspiral Flowstate A blend of Qi Gong and Soma Breathwork to reset and rebalance the nervous system Created by Andy Squiff, Inspiral Flowstate helps people breathe, move, and reconnect with their full potential. Through gentle movement and conscious breath, Andy guides participants to quiet the mind, release tension, and feel grounded, lighter, and more alive. Each two-hour session blends Qi Gong and Soma Breathwork — a mindful journey to calm the nervous system and awaken presence. Qi Gong is a gentle movement practice combining breath, meditation, and awareness to balance the body’s vital energy (qi). It offers a way to move from “thinking” into being, reconnecting body and mind in stillness and flow. Soma Breathwork combines rhythmic breathing, music, and visualization to release stress and restore clarity. This modern take on ancient pranayama helps participants enter deep meditative states, reprogram limiting patterns, and inspire positive change. Andy’s intuitive, immersive approach weaves movement, music, and guided meditation to create space for transformation.

“It’s deeply humbling to witness the beautiful shifts that unfold in each session.” — Andy Squiff

For more information, visit www.inspiralflowstate.co.uk

A man is standing waist-deep in water, holding two lit torches with flames, with a dark background.

Meet your facilitator

Gina is a Yoga and Reiki practitioner with over seven years of experience. She is deeply passionate about sharing these practices and helping others discover that Yoga and Reiki can offer exactly what they need, whatever their circumstances. Her classes provide a supportive, caring, and inclusive space where everyone is welcome. Gina encourages her students to explore their bodies with curiosity and kindness, without judgement. Through Reiki, she offers an opportunity for rest, comfort, and healing. Having lived with severe endometriosis, Gina understands what it feels like to want to move despite — or because of — pain, injury, or illness. This lived experience informs her compassionate approach to teaching and healing. She looks forward to sharing this special time and space with her students.

A woman smiling and standing on a large moss-covered rock in a forest, with one foot on a smaller rock, next to a tan dog sitting on the same large rock.
Three men sitting outdoors on the ground in a wooded area enjoying drinks and conversation.

Who’s it for?

This experience is for you if you are:

  • Craving real connection — with nature, with other dads, and with yourself

  • Tired of being “on” all the time; wanting to slow down rather than keep pushing

  • Open to showing up as you are — imperfect, curious, real

  • Looking for an escape that isn’t about fixes or achievement, but restoration and authenticity

Additional Info

  • Tent sharing: 2-3 per fully furnished bell tent; feel welcome to sign-up with friends or come solo

  • Flexible schedule: the agenda is guided but optional — join what feels good - here’s a sample itinerary (the final version will be shared closer to the retreat date)

  • Bring essentials: layers, toiletries, and anything that makes your days and nights comfortable

Your stay, your way

With accommodation

£490

Full board for 2 nights

Stay in a shared, fully furnished bell tent (2-3 people per tent). Cosy beds, soft lighting, and space to truly unwind.

Early bird offer: £440 if booked before 31 December 2025

Book now

Without accommodation

£390

Full board for 2 nights

Prefer your own setup? Pitch your tent lakeside, in the forest, and enjoy the same community, food, and flow of the retreat.

Early bird offer: £340 if booked before 31 December 2025

Book now

FAQs

  • Yes — this retreat is created especially for dads, including stepdads. It’s a space to connect, recharge, and share experiences with others who understand the unique journey of fatherhood. We’ll also be offering more men’s events in the future.

  • Absolutely. All meals, teas, coffees, and soft drinks are included, freshly prepared to keep you nourished throughout the weekend. You’re welcome to bring along your favourite snacks too — especially if you like a midnight nibble! Please note: the retreat is in a secluded wilderness setting, so there won’t be shops nearby.

  • Once you book, you’ll receive a full kit list to help you prepare. As the setting is fully off-grid and immersed in nature, we recommend packing with the outdoors in mind. Think layers, sturdy footwear, and anything that helps you feel comfortable outdoors.