Friday 23rd - Monday 26th May 2025

Following the success of our first ever Sketch & Stretch retreat last year, we’re thrilled to be hosting another weekend retreat at Tiptoe Lodge, with Sal of GoldenYoga ! Join us for a unique bank holiday retreat in the heART of the New Forest - 3 glorious days to set your mind, body and creativity free!

Come stretch and sketch your way into Summer on this playful, exploratory retreat hosted by Sal of GoldenYoga and Sketch Appeal Founder Dulcie. Connected through their shared love of creativity and yoga, together Sal and Dulcie have years of experience of empowering people to move, create and play freely - for the JOY of it! 

Expect a nourishing weekend of uplifting movement and creativity - suitable for all bodies and levels of experience - of yoga and/or drawing. We’ll be scribbling and wriggling playfully on the page, and off it! 

From drawing with your non-dominant hand to shaking your tail, there’ll be nothing traditional about this retreat. This is a chance to explore and experiment with new ways of seeing, drawing and moving - to shake off the blocks that hold us back from moving and expressing ourselves.  

But what if I’m “rubbish at drawing”, or aren’t very flexible? 

If you are curious but not confident in drawing or yoga, then this is for you! You don’t need to be a ‘good’ Artist - just have an open and curious mind, and be willing to experiment! Equally, you do NOT need to be able to touch your toes, or do a headstand - all yoga will be suitable for beginners. You’ll be supported every sketch and step of the way, and also given freedom to let your body and creativity thrive! 

The creative sessions will be playful, reflective and suitable for ALL levels of experience - including complete beginners. The aim is to embrace the ‘imperfect’ and experience drawing as a fun and liberating form of social connection, meditation and play!

As well as being a brilliant chance to take time out for you, this is a chance to connect with like minded others, enjoy some glorious country air, and share in the joy of communal creativity, movement and mealtimes. As Spring turns to Summer, this is the perfect time to fire up your creativity, body and soul - to make some new connections, and to stretch and sketch your spirit free! 

Location

Sketch & Stretch will take place at Tiptoe Lodge - a glorious, historic home in the heart of the New Forest.

Surrounded by woods and heathland, Tiptoe is the perfect setting for a meditative and revitalising retreat. As well as plenty of lush green scenes to enjoy, the sea is only a 10 minute drive away! The local beach is quintessentially British, with colourful beach huts and a stunning view of the Isle of Wight. Coastal walks around Keyhaven Nature Reserve are an option for those who fancy one - as is wild swimming!

The nearest train station is Sway - 2 miles away. Direct trains run from London Waterloo (approx 1 h 40 mins)
Lifts will be offered there and back on mutually agreed trains.

Accommodation

Tiptoe Lodge is a characterful and charming property, with many period features and large bedrooms (doubles/twins), bathrooms (with bath tubs) and sublime country views. Activities will take place in The Garden Studio, which has a summerhouse feel and is fabulous for both yoga and art. The large windows look out onto an ancient orchard and field beyond. Weather permitting, we’ll be making use of the garden - to stretch, sketch and dine!

Tiptoe Lodge is the home of Tiptoe Yoga, run by our hosts, Annabel and Angus. You can find out more about them here. Angus is a brilliant cook and you’ll be well nourished by delicious vegan and vegetarian food throughout your stay. You’ll also be kept well hydrated, with unlimited herbal infusions, tea and coffee.

ITINERARY & COST

Full details coming soon!
Our itinerary will include 2 daily yoga/meditation sessions, daily drawing and creative sessions and an excursion (on Sunday)
Arrive from 5pm on Friday 23rd May, for dinner at 7pm
Depart after lunch on Monday 26th May
(We can arrange collection and drop-off at the nearest train station Sway)

EARLY BIRD rateS, if booked by End of FEBRUARY:
£495 in shared/twin room

Includes 3 nights in spacious twin rooms + all (delicious vegan/vegetarian) meals + expertly-guided yoga and creative sessions.
Single occupancy rooms available at a supplement - please contact us to enquire.
Capacity is limited to 10 people to ensure we can offer a close and connective group experience.

how to booK

Please complete this initial enquiry form and we will send you further details on how to book, terms and conditions etc.

A few pics from Sketch & Stretch 2024…

“It was one of the best ways to spend a weekend. Harshi loved every moment of the stretch and sketch retreat. Real good mix of incorporating yoga with creativity, which ensured she was able to stay engaged in both activities really well. Good lengths of time for both activities on each day, and really well paced out so that it didn't feel like it was too much or too rushed. Very inclusive too”

“Brilliant - so good to have different ways of drawing, i.e. using the non-dominant hand, not looking at paper, etc - which meant that even someone with learning needs could join in, especially as no previous drawing experience was needed"

“It was a delightful weekend of meeting new people whilst enjoying and learning yoga (once again!) and experimenting with sketching with a fun approach. The atmosphere was very inclusive and encouraging us to learn. Tiptoe Lodge with Annabel and Angus as hosts was a wonderful pleasure and we were all made very welcome.”