Norfolk


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/05/Shell-House_Original.jpeg" alt="Words &amp; Wellness Retreat in Norfolk" class="wp-image-67259" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/05/Shell-House_Original.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/05/Shell-House_Original-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/05/Shell-House_Original-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/05/Shell-House_Original-768x576.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>If your idea of wellness is a Pilates class followed by curling up with a good book    in a peaceful countryside nook (and maybe a side of cake and glass of vino or two), then listen up.&nbsp;A <a href="https://norfolk.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/words-wellness-retreats-various-locations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Words &amp; Wellness Retreat</a> is ALL that, and more. </p>



<p>The ultimate relaxing weekender in the most serene Norfolk surrounds, think of it as your own slice of solitude, that &#8220;you&#8221; time you&#8217;ve been trying (and failing) to carve out for yourself while your TBR pile mocks you from the bookcase, collecting dust. </p>



<p>Specifically a reading and Pilates retreat, we&#8217;re talking gentle movement, walks in nature, time to finish a chapter uninterrupted, with great food and even better company. Plus, enough book recommendations to keep you going &#8217;til Christmas. Grab your leggings and the latest Sally Rooney, here&#8217;s everything you need to know about the next Words &amp; Wellness Retreat (<strong>Fri 1 &#8211; Sun 3 Aug</strong>), and why Muddy is after a front row Pilates mat to the action. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-re-in-safe-hands">You&#8217;re in safe hands</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1528" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/05/IMG_3059.jpeg" alt="Helen Quinn of Words &amp; Wellness retreats practicing Pilates" class="wp-image-67265" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/05/IMG_3059.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/05/IMG_3059-785x800.jpeg 785w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/05/IMG_3059-982x1000.jpeg 982w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/05/IMG_3059-768x782.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Say hi to Helen aka your Pilates pro</figcaption></figure>



<p>The brain child of dynamic sister duo, Helen Quinn and Anna Driscoll, who have pooled together their passions and created a retreat geared towards slowing down, switching off and simply spending a weekend doing lovely things. Helen handles the Pilates portion of proceedings, and with over 20 years experience teaching, it&#8217;s safe to say she knows her Saw from her Swan. Helen&#8217;s classes are suitable for all levels, so don&#8217;t worry if you&#8217;ve never assumed the Corkscrew position before, she tailors her classes to suit everyone&#8217;s abilities.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/06/Anna.jpeg" alt="Anna Driscoll from Words &amp; Wellness" class="wp-image-68210" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/06/Anna.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/06/Anna-600x800.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/06/Anna-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/06/Anna-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/06/Anna-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">And hi to resident book worm Anna </figcaption></figure>



<p>While Anna is the literature lover and certified book worm. She&#8217;s the gal to go to for reading recs and endless discussions about your favourite book(s) over a glass of wine &#8211; we know, heaven right? Combined, this retreat provides a space where strength, stillness and stories come together. In other words, a dreamy weekend across the board.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-location-is-to-die-for">The location is to die for</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/05/Pool-House-2.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-67261" style="aspect-ratio:1.3333333333333333;width:640px;height:auto" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/05/Pool-House-2.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/05/Pool-House-2-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/05/Pool-House-2-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/05/Pool-House-2-768x576.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The naturally filtered pool at West Lexham</figcaption></figure>



<p>Providing the gorgeous backdrop to your weekend of relaxation is <a href="https://westlexham.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">West Lexham</a>. Near to King&#8217;s Lynn, this pretty pocket of Norfolk is the perfect setting for the retreat. Not only is nature and green space in abundance across the 22-acre estate for long walks and a serious serotonin boost, you can also count a naturally filtered pool, a lake for wild swims, SUP and boating, a fire pit and sanctuary garden for meditation and relaxing among it&#8217;s many (many) amenities available for use over the weekend. PLUS sustainability is at the forefront here. Running on over 90% renewable energy and organic principles, with food provided by its very own Kitchen Garden (zero food miles, woohoo!) means a weekend of guilt-free indulgence is in store. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-includes-an-exclusive-author-talk">Includes an exclusive author talk</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/02/rachel.hore-norfolk-author.jpg" alt="Rachel Hore, Norfolk author" class="wp-image-48251" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/02/rachel.hore-norfolk-author.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/02/rachel.hore-norfolk-author-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/02/rachel.hore-norfolk-author-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rachel Hore will be chatting books galore</figcaption></figure>



<p>This is a reading and Pilates retreat so of course there&#8217;s going to be some serious book chat going on. Rounding off the Saturday in literary style, you&#8217;ll be joined by million-copy bestselling (and local) author, Rachel Hore! Rachel will be giving an exclusive talk about her new novel, <em>The Secrets of Dragonfly Lodge</em>, a compelling mystery novel set partly on the Norfolk Broads, <em>and</em> staying around for drinks afterwards leaving you plenty of time to ask her all your burning book questions. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-no-experience-necessary">No experience necessary</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1098" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/06/WW8.jpeg" alt="Anna Driscoll and Helen Quinn doing Pilates, Words &amp; Wellness Retreat" class="wp-image-68209" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/06/WW8.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/06/WW8-800x586.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/06/WW8-1000x732.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/06/WW8-768x562.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Helen and Anna in action </figcaption></figure>



<p>Whether you&#8217;re a Pilates pro and treat yourself to bi-yearly health retreats or have never set foot on a mat before, a Words &amp; Wellness Retreat is for <em>everyone</em>. A safe space for all to rest, relax and recharge in the way that works for them. If that&#8217;s with sunrise stretches and a turmeric shot downed before dawn in top to toe lululemon then that&#8217;s cool, or if it&#8217;s carb-loading, catching up on sleep while pouring through your copy of Dame Jilly&#8217;s <em>Rivals</em>, that is cool too. There&#8217;s space for everyone on this retreat. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-groups-are-nice-and-small">The groups are nice and small</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1198" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/05/Village-Hall1-_Original.jpeg" alt="The Village Hall at West Lexham set up for a Pilates Class" class="wp-image-67260" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/05/Village-Hall1-_Original.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/05/Village-Hall1-_Original-800x639.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/05/Village-Hall1-_Original-1000x799.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/05/Village-Hall1-_Original-768x613.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">It&#8217;s Pilates time</figcaption></figure>



<p>A Words &amp; Wellness Retreat is the perfect balance of social and serene, remaining deliberately intimate so guests can easily relax, connect and share (if they want). Whether you are retreating solo, coming with your daughter or the gals, there&#8217;s space for up to 16 in the <a href="https://westlexham.org/properties/groups-village-hall-cottages/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Village Hall</a> at West Lexham, but depending on room choices and single occupancy requests, the group may be even smaller. What is a lovely touch, is Anna and Helen set up a WhatsApp group before the retreat starts so that everyone can say hello, ask any questions and get those awkward icebreakers out the way long before you step into the zen zone. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-can-do-as-much-or-as-little-as-you-like">You can do as much, or as little as you like</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1012" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/06/helen-field-reading91.jpeg" alt="Words &amp; Wellness Retreat" class="wp-image-68211" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/06/helen-field-reading91.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/06/helen-field-reading91-800x540.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/06/helen-field-reading91-1000x675.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/06/helen-field-reading91-768x518.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Helen and a dreamy summer set up</figcaption></figure>



<p>It maybe a group retreat, but Anna and Helen appreciate this is your time too, time that is to be enjoyed at your own pace. If you fancy joining every Pilates class, nature walk and wild swim, fabulous. But if you&#8217;d prefer to skip one, or all, in favour of an extra chapter of your book, a nap, or a spot of solo meditation, that&#8217;s also fabulous. There&#8217;s zero pressure and everything is flexible with the true aim of the weekend for you to <em>relaaax</em>. </p>



<p>Wanna join us? You can book your coveted spot at the next Words &amp; Wellness Retreat <a href="https://wordsandwellnessretreats.com">here</a> (but do so quick because it&#8217;s filling up fast!).</p>



<p><em><a href="https://wordsandwellnessretreats.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Words &amp; Wellness</a>, West Lexham, Nr. King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE32 2QN, Tel: 07493 353 231, Email: <a href="mailto:mailto:norfolkpilatescoach@gmail.com">&nbsp;</a><a href="mailto:wordsandwellnessretreats@gmail.com">wordsandwellnessretreats@gmail.com</a></em></p>


Wellness seekers and book lovers assemble! This weekend retreat will be right up your street

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