May Flower Retreat
May Flower Retreat
devon, England, UK. may 23-26th, 2025.
Group size limited to 4-6 places, for an intimate & relaxed experience.
Immerse Yourself in a World of Flowers
Through the Art of Natural Dyeing and Intuitive Herbalism Practices
With Botanical Inks Founder, Natural Dyer, Author & Artist, Babs Behan.
From Her Creative Studio in the Heart of Dartmoor National Park, England. UK
HIGHLIGHTS:
Peak Flower Season - Organic Indigo Dyeing - Bundle Dyeing with Flowers - Sensory Colour Harvesting Walk - Woodblock Printing With Wild Inks - Guided Mindful Ink Drawing - Flower Connection Rituals - Moorland Bluebell Walk - Pristine River Swimming - Organic, Local, Seasonal Vegan Catering - Comfortable Beds - Rustic Luxury Accommodation - Small Group Size 4-6 People - Wood Fired Sauna
Season
On the cusp of Spring and Summer,
Blossom season is the most wonderful time to visit Dartmoor
And play with trans-seasonal dye plants
Bluebells spread across entire meadows on the moor, providing breathtakingly beautiful walks.
Hawthorn trees, the heart herb of England and queen tree of the moor are in flower everywhere.
While the wild flower meadows at Southcombe are starting to dance kaleidescopic swathes of colours across the land.
Immerse yourself in a world of flowers and delight your senses through intuitive herbalism and floral dye practices.
Be inspired by the abundance of beauty and allow your creativity to flow.
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 With Seasonal Natural Dyes - 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 flowers 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 bluebell walks, River Dart swims, nature bathing and to meet ancient woodlands.
HOLISTIC CREATIVITY
We plan to weave some special activities into the flow of the retreat
To compliment & support your relaxation and creative process.
Such as mindfulness, plant connection, tea ceremony, storytelling or enjoying the wood fired sauna overlooking the valley and spring fed pool.
You are invited to partake in any and all of the sessions you wish to.
spaciousness
This is your retreat and you’re encouraged to enjoy being in the workshops and activities which you feel to join.
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, local, seasonal vegan food will be provided for all meals.
We can also providesoem dairy items at your request and if you prefer a carnivore diet, please let us know. We are happy to accommodate different food preferences, where possible.
Please let us know if you have any special dietry requirements. We will do our best to accommodate.
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.
Babs Behan is the Natural Dyer/ Artist/ Author/ Educator and Founder of Botanical Inks Natural Dye House.
With two titles published by Quadrille Books, TedX Speaker (2021), Featured in Vogue Magazine and with clients including the Saatchi Gallery, Tate St Ives, Hauser and Wirth, Facebook London, Jo Malone, Soho House, Ace Hotel and many more.
Babs creates naturally dyed goods and systems, adhering to a purest "soil-to-soil" ethos, focused on local provenance and biodegradability.
As an intuitive Herbalist her work is progressively bringing contemporary Ayurvastra (herbal dyeing) back into Western culture.
“I am excited to welcome you to the serene setting of my creative studio and home, nestled here Southcombe Barn, a creative wellness retreat centre, amidst the wildflowers of Southcombe’s magical wild meadow gardens, within the backdrop of expansive wild moorland, roaming wild ponies and shooting stars”.
This sensational landscape serves as the perfect setting 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.
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 lovely town of Ashburton with its independent shops and cafes. Our local village Widicombe In The Moor is just a few minutes by foot, with excellent coffee and organic food.
The location is incredible, with the the most astonishing walks, wiild and clean river swims, fascinating granite tors, stone circles and ancient deserted iron-age 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 wellness 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.
special Guest Practitioner
CLAIRE LOUSSOUARN
Claire Loussouarn and I met during our years training at The School of Intuitive Herbalism with Nathaniel Hughes
She is a movement artist, herbalist, filmmaker and anthropologist.
She is the author of “How to be feral: movement practices to re-wild your body” (Triarchy Press/ 2024).
Her movement practice is based outdoors in dialogue with nature and the more-than-human world.
For more than 6 years filmmaker Dominique Rivoal has been filming her moving every month throughout the changing seasons of Hackney Marshes in the heart of the city. As a result of this collaboration they have built a four screens installation with 3D soundscape called 'We are grass, we are plants, we are Hackney Marshes'.
Claire will lead us on a special sensory flower dye harvesting walk. Expect a subtle yet powerful guide into relationality with the plants we harvest for dyeing. To create a deeper and more meaningful connection with the dye colours, the plant and the landscape. To tune into the season of the blossoming and the energy of the plants at this time.
Claire will have a few copies of her book to show and sell - please bring some cash in case you would like a copy.
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 - Sensory colour harvesting walk
1pm - Lunch
3pm - Wild dye & ink-making
4pm- Afternoon tea
6pm- Woodblock printing
7pm - Dinner
8.30pm - Personal creative practise/ Free time or Guided wild ink mindfulness drawing practice
-
7.30 am - Yoga
8.30am - Breakfast
10.30am - Bundle dyeing with flowers & Hapazome flower printing
1pm - Lunch
3pm - Indigo dyeing
4pm - Afternoon tea
5pm - Bluebell meadow walk/Optional Personal Creative Practice
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
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) - £685
Standard Price - £785
ROSE ROOM
Private double room with 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) - £885
Standard Price - £985
Superior Price - £1085 - (Includes arrival and departure transfers from Newton Abbot railway station and a welcome gift).
ARTEMISIA ROOM
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) - £945
Standard Price - £1045
Superior Price - £1145 - (Includes arrival and departure transfers from Newton Abbot railway station and a welcome gift).
GARDEN ROOM
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) - £1025 single occupancy / £1465 double occupancy
Standard Price - £1125 single occupancy / £1565 double occupancy
Superior Price - £1225 single occupancy / £1665 double occupancy - (Includes arrival and departure transfers from Newton Abbot railway station and a welcome gift).
INDIGO ROOM
Private double room with shared bathroom
(Double bed for either one person, or two people sharing)
A large room which fits a queen size bed 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) - £1085 single occupancy / £1530 double occupancy
Standard Price - £1185 single occupancy / £1630 double occupancy
Superior Price - £1285 single occupancy / £1730 double occupancy - (Includes arrival and departure transfers from Newton Abbot railway station and a welcome gift).
MAYFLOWER ROOM
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 a large sheepskin rug, natural fibre textiles and natural dye artworks. Pleanty of cupboard and drawer space for storing belongings.
Prices:
Early Bird (Until January 1st) - £1285 single occupancy / £1730 double occupancy
Standard Price - £1385 single occupancy / £1830 double occupancy
Superior Price - £1485 single occupancy / £1930 double occupancy - (Includes arrival and departure transfers from Newton Abbot railway station and a welcome gift).
THE HAY BARN - SOLD OUT
Private barn with double bed & ensuite bathroom
(For single or double occupancy/ Possible to add an additional camp bed for the bottom floor, upon request)
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.
Only 10 steps away from Southcombe Cottage where your retreat activities take place.
Prices:
Standard Price - £1425 single occupancy / £1870 double occupancy
THE PIGGERY BARN
Private barn with double bed & ensuite bathroom
(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, chairs and seperate bathroom with a wonderful roll top bath.
Only 10 steps away from Southcombe Cottage where your retreat group activities take place.
Prices:
Standard Price - £1425 single occupancy / £1870 double occupancy
Payments:
Select your preferred room option from the drop down list below and select single or double occupancy where appropriate.
Payment Plans:
Payment plans are available at check-out, if you sign up for a Klarna account, which is pretty quick and easy to do.
Otherwise, please email hello@botanicalinks.com to arrange a payment plan, using direct bank transfers or credit card payments online.