A cozy living room with a bar in the background, decorated with small Christmas trees with fairy lights, lamps, a sofa, and a small flower arrangement.

English Holiday in the Cotswolds:

The Art of Entertaining Edition

This six-night winter retreat is a thoughtful celebration of the season, centered on the art of gathering well. We begin with a sparkling introduction to London—two elegant nights in Mayfair filled with holiday lights, cocktails, and intimate dining—before retreating to the Cotswolds for four cozy nights in the English countryside.

There, days unfold at a gentler pace with optional yoga, fireside rest, and spa time, alongside hands-on experiences in holiday cooking, tablescaping, seasonal cocktails, and festive gifting. Evenings are warm and candlelit, shared around beautifully set tables and lingering conversations.

You’ll return home not only with practical entertaining skills and inspired traditions, but with a full heart—having truly enjoyed each experience as a guest, not just a host.

A peaceful rural scene with stone houses, a gravel driveway, and neatly trimmed trees and bushes.

Where We’ll Stay

Our retreat unfolds across two exceptional five-star properties, pairing the festive elegance of London with the timeless charm of the English countryside.

We begin with two nights in London’s iconic Mayfair, just steps from Bond Street and the city’s most beloved holiday sights—an elegant introduction to the season. From there, we settle into four nights in the Cotswolds at a celebrated five-star hotel and spa, known for its beautiful grounds, thoughtful design, restorative spa treatments, and exceptional restaurants, and recognized by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the UK’s standout country retreats—an inviting winter setting made for gathering, slowing down, and savoring the art of entertaining.

DAILY ITINERARY

The Art of Entertaining: A Holiday Retreat

This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change based on the seasonality of experiences.

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    DAY 1

    Arrival in London

    Arrive in London and settle into our fabulous Mayfair hotel. Take time to unpack, rest, or sneak in a nap after your travels.

    This evening, we’ll gather at The Donovan Bar at 6:00pm for welcome cocktails — an iconic spot to toast the week ahead. From there, we’ll head just steps away for dinner at Il Gattopardo, easing into the rhythm of London and our time together.

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    DAY 2

    London at Your Leisure

    Wake up to morning yoga in a beautiful private space, followed by a leisurely breakfast.

    Today is intentionally unstructured — an invitation to explore London at your own pace. Wander the Christmas market in Hyde Park, stroll the festive streets, admire the holiday windows along New Bond Street, or pop into Fortnum & Mason for seasonal treats. Continue on to the charming Marylebone, known for its local shops and cafés.

    You’re welcome to join us for an optional lunch at Lita.

    This evening, we’ll gather for a festive dinner at the legendary Scott’s, before returning to our neighborhood to cozy up by the fire for a nightcap and a restful night — ahead of our journey to the Cotswolds.

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    Day 3

    Palace Traditions & Countryside Arrival

    After breakfast, we’ll depart London for the English countryside, beginning with a late-morning visit to Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Winston Churchill, beautifully decorated for the holidays.

    On our way to the Cotswolds, we’ll stop in the storybook village of Burford for lunch, wandering, and shopping along its historic High Street. We’ll arrive at our countryside hotel in the afternoon, settle in, and reconvene for a cozy dinner by the fire.

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    DAY 4

    Christmas Morning Baking & Seasonal Cocktails

    We’ll start the morning with a grounding yoga class. Then we’ll meet at the farmhouse for a festive breakfast cooking demonstration, where we’ll learn to make a Christmas-morning pastry while sipping mimosas (pajamas welcome).

    Later in the afternoon, we’ll head to a beloved local pub just a short walk from the hotel for dinner. During the evening, you’ll also learn how to craft two seasonal cocktails—perfect to recreate when hosting at home for the holidays.

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    DAY 5

    Village Walks & Festive Gifting

    Begin the day with morning yoga, followed by a scenic walk to the nearby village of Eastleach for tea and a light lunch.

    Back at the property, we’ll spend the afternoon immersed in a festive gifting workshop—making homemade chutneys from the garden, hand-poured candles, and mastering beautiful gift wrapping. The late afternoon is yours to relax by the fire, visit the spa, or rest before gathering for drinks at the Baa Bar and dinner in the Oxbarn.

  • Elegant dining table decorated with floral arrangements in green glass vases, naked candles, and glassware, set with plates, silverware, and a leafy-patterned napkin.

    Day 6

    Tablescaping, Holiday Cooking & Farewell Feast

    Our final full day brings everything together. After morning yoga and breakfast, we’ll begin with a festive tablescaping workshop—creating floral arrangements and styling the table for our closing celebration. From there, we’ll move into the cooking school for a hands-on holiday cooking demonstration, learning a beautiful main dish and vibrant sides you can confidently recreate for your own Christmas table.

    After time to rest and dress, we’ll gather for farewell cocktails before sitting down to our final candlelit dinner—set at the table we’ve created together, filled with music, warmth, and the quiet magic of a season well celebrated.

  • A large stone house with snow-covered roof and grounds, lit street lamps, several windows, and leafless tree branches overhead during winter.

    Day 7

    Homeward, With Holiday Hearts

    After breakfast, we’ll depart for London Heathrow Airport. Please allow approximately three hours for travel, and we recommend booking flights no earlier than 2:00pm to ensure a relaxed and unrushed morning departure.

  • 2-night stay at the 5-star hotel in London

    4-night stay at the 5-star Hotel and Spa in the Cotswolds

    All breakfasts

    All dinners with drinks

    Some lunches

    ⟡ All planned excursions and workshops

    ⟡ All group transportation for excursions

  • ⟡ International airfare

    ⟡ Airport transfers from London Heathrow to our Brown’s Hotel

    ⟡ Spa treatments and personal purchases

    ⟡ Travel insurance (required to join trip)

    ⟡ Gratuities for guides and drivers

 
 

PRICING

A Nearly All-Inclusive, Five-Star Holiday Experience

This retreat is crafted to feel effortless and indulgent — a nearly all-inclusive experience across two iconic 5-star hotels in London and the Cotswolds, with exceptional excursions and thoughtful details handled for you.

From beautiful accommodations and elevated dining to private tours, workshops, transportation during the retreat, and daily moments of movement and connection, everything is designed so you can simply arrive and enjoy.

For full transparency, please refer to the What’s Included and What’s Not Included sections for additional details.

A 50% deposit is due at booking; final payment is due by September 3, 2026.

A cozy bedroom with a beach-themed decor. It has a wooden four-poster bed with white bedding, green pillows, and a beige throw blanket. There is a vintage-style sofa with pillows in front of the bed, a nightstand with a lamp, and a window with light curtains showing greenery outside.
A living room with a sloped ceiling, exposed wooden beams, a brick wall, a red sofa with floral pillows, a bed with similar pillows, and a large decorative sunburst mirror on the wall.

Retreat Package Price:

$9,800 USD Per Guest

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Meet Your Host

After 15 years in corporate leadership—while teaching yoga, coaching speakers, and building community-rooted nonprofits—I felt called to bring it all together. That’s how LDW Coaching & Retreats began.

These retreats are thoughtfully designed to offer more than just a beautiful escape—they’re a return to what matters most. Rooted in presence, beauty, and connection, they create space for rest, growth, and meaningful community.

Whether we’re flowing on a yoga mat, sharing a meal, or watching the sun set over the Mediterranean, my hope is simple: that you leave feeling more grounded, more connected, and more yourself.

LINDSAY WHEELER

“TRAVEL IS NOT REWARD FOR WORKING, IT IS EDUCATION FOR LIVING.”

- ANTHONY BOURDAIN

THE FAQS

  • Please plan to fly into London Heathrow Airport (LHR). From the airport, transfer to Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair can be arranged in the following ways:

    Taxi

    Train (fastest and cheapest way - there is a ticket agent right when you enter baggage claim and you can take the train straight to Bond Street → 5 min walk to hotel) 

    ⟡ Or by emailing Brown’s Hotel directly to arrange a private transfer at concierge.browns@roccofortehotels.com

    At the end of the retreat, we will depart from the Cotswolds. Please plan for approximately a 3-hour drive from Broadway to London Heathrow Airport, and we recommend booking afternoon or early-evening flights on Sunday, December 6 to allow for a relaxed departure.

  • The first week of December in London and the Cotswolds (Broadway) typically sees average temperatures between 39–43°F (4–6°C). Weather is often overcast, with the possibility of light rain, adding to the cozy winter atmosphere.

  • We recommend packing with comfort and warmth in mind:

    ⟡ A raincoat or waterproof jacket

    ⟡ A warm coat and layers

    Festive dinner attire for evenings

    Comfortable walking clothes and shoes for daytime exploration

    Yoga clothes if you plan to participate in morning yoga sessions

  • For the comfort and peace of mind of all guests, travel insurance is required to attend this retreat. Your policy should include coverage for trip cancellation, medical emergencies, and travel delays. Life is unpredictable, and having travel insurance helps protect your investment should unforeseen circumstances arise. We highly recommend purchasing your policy at the time of booking to ensure full coverage.

    For assistance with booking your travel insurance, you may contact our trusted agent:


    Sharon Creast, Elevated Travel
    📧 sharon@elevationstvl.com
    📞 404-626-4997

WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT OUR RETREATS

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A decorated dining table with vases of red and green flowers, white candles, glassware, and plates with green leaf-patterned napkins.

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A rustic stone and wood barn decorated with a lit Christmas tree at the entrance and surrounded by holiday lights, in a peaceful rural setting during dusk.
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Living room with holiday decor, including two small decorated Christmas trees with string lights, two table lamps with fabric shades, a sofa, four velvet chairs, and a bar area in the background with bottles and plants, illuminated by pendant lights.
A long table set for dinner with candles and floral arrangements in vases, dimly lit in a rustic-style room with artwork on the walls.

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