Devon RETREAT

England, UK. June 27-30th, 2025.

Group size limited to 4-6 places, for an intimate & relaxed experience.

Immerse Yourself in the Art of Natural Dyeing

With Botanical Inks Founder, Natural Dyer, Author & Artist, Babs Behan.

From Her Creative Ctudio in the Heart of Dartmoor National Park, England. UK

HIGHLIGHTS:

Organic Indigo Dyeing - Bundle Dyeing with Flowers - Colour Foraging Walk - Woodblock Printing with Natural Inks - Wild Ink Drawing - Rose Tea Ritual - Moorland & Riverside Walks - Wild Swimming - Organic, Local, Seasonal Food - Comfortable Beds - Rustic Luxury Accommodation - Small Group Size 4-6 People - Vegan Diets - Yoga + Soundbaths - Wood Fired Sauna

Season

June is Rose season and the most wonderful time to be here at Southcombe.

The wild flower meadows are in full bloom and dance kaleidescopic swathes of colour across the land.

Immerse yourself in the beauty of the flowers & multi-sensual floral dye practices.

natural colour practices

You will gain an introduction to using a plant-based natural dyeing process.

With all plant-based: dyes, mordants, modifiers and washing agents.

There will be a variety of natural dye techniques practiced throughout your stay, including:

Immersion Dyeing - Organic Indigo Dyeing - Shibori Tie-Dyeing

Wild Ink Making & Mark-Making - Natural Ink Woodblock Printing

Bundle Dyeing with Flowers - Hapazome Flower Printing

Natural Paint Mixing & Painting

excursions and walks

To enrich your creative practice we will enjoy walks in the local landscape to gather wild dye plants to use.

Harvesting colours from their source, to learn about and connect with the plants in their place.

You will get to visit some favourite local beauty spots for moorland walks & river swims and to meet ancient woodlands.

HOLISTIC CREATIVITY

You are invited to partake in any and all of the sessions you wish to,

along with a variety of activities designed to support your relaxation and creative process.

Including yoga, sound therapy, nature walks, river swimming, storytelling,

tea ceremony and nature bathing

spaciousness

This is your retreat and you’re encouraged to partake in the workshops and activities which you feel to.

And feel at ease to step out of others as you wish, to indulge in whatver you prefer.

Be it a walk, some personal creative time or simply resting and reading a book.

There is also space within the schedule specifically allocated for your creative practice,

to use the skills you have acquired within the workshop sessions, for your own personal development.

The house and gardens are a pure delight and offer a restful and comfortable space to dwell in,

with stunning views across the moorland and incrediby spectacular scenery in all directions.

food and nutrition

Nourishing organic seasonal food will be provided for most meals and there will be a couple of trips to local, award-winning cafes and restaurants (not included) to sample the culinary delights of this verdant region.

YOUR HOST

All with the guidance of your host. Natural Dyer and Artist, Babs Behan. Founder of Botanical Inks.

This retreat takes place at Southcombe Barn, where Babs resides as the long-term Artist-In-Residence.

“I am excited to welcome you to the serene setting of my creative studio and home, nestled here within the expansive moorland, amidst the wildflowers of Southcombe’s magical wild meadow gardens.

This sensational landscape serves as the perfect backdrop for your immersion into the world of natural dyeing.

We are spoilt with an adundance of colour to harvest from the surroundings and inspired by the enchanting environment, hoe to roaming highland cattle and wild ponies along with incredibly diverse butterly, insect and bird populations - The morning chorus in June is extraordinary!

By night, the dark sky nature reserve offers a spectacle of shooting stars and the milky way.

Up here on the moor I feel away from everything, in the best possible way - its peaceful and calm, and yet only 15 minutes from the gorgeous town of Ashburton with its independent shops and cafes and our lovely Widicombe In The Moor village just a few minutes on foot, with excellent coffee and organic food.

The location is incredible, with the the most astounding walks, wiild and clean river swims, fascinating granite tors and ancient deserted villages close by in all directions. There is a lot to explore and be amazed by!

This will be more than a natural dye course. It will be a creative experience, and nourishing on so many levels.

Expect (optional) daily activities to get your body moving and out breathing fresh clean air; immersions into the wild landscpae; nature connection rituals and crafting; a gentle and friendly group experience and time to be with yourself and gently with others in an incredible place; Restful and rejeuvenating therapeutic sessions; delicious vibrant food and a lot of inspiration and magic!

Through this carefully considered schedule, you will learn how to extract and use colours from plants to create stunning fabrics and paper arts, and unlock your creativity through simple and intuitive practices.

This experience is not just about learning a new skill, it’s about embracing a holistic approach to creativity that nourishes your whole being.

As you partake in this experience you will have the opportunity to indulge in healthsome nutrition that complements your creative endeavors. Nourishing your body with wholesome meals made from organic and locally sourced ingredients will not only fuel your artistic pursuits but also enhance your overall well-being.

This harmonious blend of being in wild nature, using hands to harvest and craft, slowing down and resting together, nourishing sustenance and a beauty-filled environment creates a truly transformative experience that will stay with you long after you leave.

SAMPLE SCHEDULE :

(Subject to change)

LOCATION:

Southcombe Barn, situated in the heart of Dartmoor, is a place where creative arts, wellbeing and connection to landscape foster a retreat for minds, bodies and souls to rejuvenate, flourish and land.

Nestled in 16 acres of wildflower meadows, woodland and moorland pasture. The land backs onto the open moor and is a haven of wildlife, birds, bees and butterflies. Set within the Dark Skies reserve, nights can be spent gazing up at star-filled skies and sunsets and sunrises enjoyed from nearby tors. The Dartmoor National Park has incredible walks and wild swimming spots.

Southcombe Barn is just 15 minutes drive from the historical stannery town of Ashburton, in South Devon and the A38.

We are a 30 minute taxi ride from Newton Abbot train station, and 45 minutes from Totnes train station.

See Google Maps for location here

accommodation

Accommodation is available within the Southcombe Cottage residence in four private rooms, with shared bathroom.

Along with two private self-contained barns, which offer rustic luxury ensuite accommodation with fully equipped kitchens. Within the Southcombe Barn property and only a few steps away from the studio, where our retreat will be based.

(Please do book early to secure your preferred option).

Choose from the following options.

Price includes full retreat activities and tuition, inclusive materials and meals, excursions and accommodation. (Excludes two meals out and transport costs along with any additional materials purchased during the retreat).

Payments:

Select your preferred room option from the drop down list below and select single or double occupancy where appropriate.

PAYMENT PLANS - It possible to spread the cost of the booking with three seperate installments over several months. Please email: hello@botanicalinks.com to make this arrangement.