Devon Retreat June 6-9th: FULLY BOOKED
Devon RETREAT
England, UK. June 6-9th, 2025.
FULLY BOOKED
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 - Plant Connection Rituals - Moorland & Riverside Walks - Wild Swimming - Organic, Local, Seasonal Food Catering - Eating Out at Local Award-Winning Sustainable Eateries - Comfortable Rustic Luxury Accommodation - Small Group Size 4-6 People - Vegan + Veggie Diets - Yoga + Soundbaths - Wood Fired Sauna
Season
June is 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, activities and walks
To enrich your creative practice, we will enjoy trips to local dye plant growers,
to harvest dye plants from the source and learn about the business of growing colour by artisan farmers.
You will also enjoy guided colour foraging walks in the local landscape to gather the wild plants to use in class.
You will get to visit some favourite local spots for riverside and moorland walks,
wild swims, nature bathing and to meet ancient woodlands.
We plan to weave some special activities into the flow of the retreat,
to compliment creative learning and practices.
Such as yoga, mindfulness, plant connection ritual, soundbathing
and wood fired sauna overlooking the valley and spring fed pool.
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)
-
Arrivals from 5pm
Settle in, arrival drinks
7pm - Shared meal served
8.30pm - Introduction talk and opening circle with rose tea ritual
-
8.30am - Breakfast time
10.00am - Morning walk, dye plant foraging + optional river dip
1pm - Picnic Lunch by the River Dart
3pm - Wild dye & ink-making
4pm- Afternoon tea
6pm- Woodblock printing
7pm - Dinner
8.30pm - Personal creative practise/ Free time/ Wild ink mindfulness drawing practice
-
7.30 am - Yoga
8.30am - Breakfast
10.30am - Dye flower farm visit
1pm - Lunch at local village cafe (not included)
3pm - Bundle dyeing with flowers & Hapazome flower printing
4pm - Afternoon tea
6pm - Indigo dyeing
7pm - Dinner
8.30pm - Creative salon/ discussion
-
8.30 am - Breakfast
9.30 am - Closing Circle
11am - Check-out
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).
NON-RESIDENTIAL OPTION - SOLD OUT
Enjoy the full programme and inclusive meals. excluding overnight accommodation.
Suitable for those living locally or booking accommodation elsewhere.
Prices:
Early Bird (Until January 1st) - £625
Standard Price - £725
ROSE ROOM - SOLD OUT
Private double room shared bathroom
(Double bed) - single occupancy
A snug room which offers a double bed, bedside table and hanging space for garments. With skylight window and full black-out blinds. Decorated with natural dye textiles and artworks.
Prices:
Early Bird (Until January 1st) - £825
Standard Price - £925
ARTEMISIA ROOM - SOLD OUT
Private double room with shared bathroom
(Double bed) - single occupancy
A small room which fits a double bed along with bedside table and hanging space for garments. With skylight window and full black-out blinds. Decorated with natural dye textiles and artworks.
Prices:
Early Bird (Until January 1st) - £885
Standard Price - £985
GARDEN ROOM - SOLD OUT
Private double room with shared bathroom
(Double bed for either one person, or two people sharing)
A medium size room which fits a double bed along with bedside tables and hanging space for garments. A skylight window with black-out blinds and a floor length window overlooking the garden with curtains. Decorated with natural dye textiles and artworks.
Prices:
Early Bird (Until January 1st) - £950 single occupancy / £1300 double occupancy (Total £650 each for two sharing)
Standard Price - £1050 single occupancy / £1500 double occupancy (Total £750 each for two sharing)
INDIGO ROOM - SOLD OUT
Private double room with shared bathroom
(Double bed or two single beds)
A large room which fits a queen size bed or two single beds, along with bedside tables, plenty of shelving and hanging space for garments. Skylight windows with black-out blinds and a floor length window overlooking the front garden with curtains. Decorated with natural dye textiles and artworks.
Prices:
Early Bird (Until January 1st) - £985 single occupancy / £1285 double occupancy (Total £725 each for two sharing)
Standard Price - £1125 single occupancy / £1425 double occupancy (Total £775 each for two sharing)
MAYFLOWER ROOM - SOLD OUT
Private extra-large double room with shared bathroom
(Super king size bed)
A very large room which offers beautiful views across the moor and over our beloved Mayflower tree, which you can admire from the lovely windw seat.
Large double length windows and skylights make this a beautiful natural light flooded space. There are heavy black out curtains and blinds to offer a dark sleeping space at night.
Decorated with cosy sheepskin rugs, natural fibre textiles and natural dye artworks. Pleanty of cupboard and drawer space for storing belongings.
Prices:
Early Bird (Until January 1st) - £1085 single occupancy / £1485 double occupancy (Total £742.50 each for two sharing)
Standard Price - £1285 single occupancy / £1685 double occupancy (Total £842.50 each for two sharing)
THE HAY BARN - SOLD OUT
Private barn with double bed & ensuite bathroom
(For single or double occupancy)
Rustic luxury barn on two levels, with an open-plan, fully equipped kithcen, lounge and dining area with wood buner and sofa, wooden table and chairs. A seperate bathroom with walk-in shower, huge copper bath tub, toilet and sink. Plus private porch with table, chairs and bench to relax outside.
(Optional large camp mattress can be provided at your request)
Only 10 steps away from Southcombe Cottage where your retreat activities take place.
Prices:
Early Bird (Until January 1st) - £1185 single occupancy / £1585 double occupancy (Total £792.50 each for two sharing)
Standard Price - £1385 single occupancy / £1785 double occupancy (Total £892.50 each for two sharing)
THE PIGGERY - SOLD OUT
Private barn with double bed & ensuite bathroom
(For single or double occupancy)
A luxury rustic barn on one floor, located on the top floor of the barn. With a beautiful fully equipped kitchen, wood burning stove and sofa, table and chairs and a seperate bathroom with a wonderful roll top bath, shower, sink & toilet.
Only 10 steps away from Southcombe Cottage where your retreat group activities take place.
Prices:
Early Bird (Until January 1st) - £1185 single occupancy / £1585 double occupancy (Total £792.50 each for two sharing)
Standard Price - £1385 single occupancy / £1785 double occupancy (Total £892.50 each for two sharing)
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.