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.
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.
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![A large stone house covered in snow, with lit street lamps and snow-laden bushes and trees in the front yard, during winter.]()
Cotswolds
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![A festive Christmas table decorated with red berries, cookies, and glasses of champagne, set against a decorated Christmas tree with ornaments and lights.]()
Cotswolds
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![A bedroom with a fully white quilted bed, a decorative floral pillow, and a green upholstered headboard against wallpaper with pink and green floral patterns. A white nightstand holds books and a lamp with a floral shade, beside a window with a potted plant.]()
Cotswolds
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![A cozy living room scene with a lit fireplace in the foreground and a decorated Christmas tree with white ornaments and lights in the background.]()
Cotswolds
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![A rustic stone barn decorated for Christmas with a small, lit Christmas tree in the open doorway, and additional Christmas lights on bush to the right.]()
Cotswolds
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![A cozy bedroom with a four-poster bed featuring white bedding and green pillows. There is a vintage-style sofa with pillows in front of the bed. A nightstand with a lamp is beside the bed, and decorative woven circles hang on the patterned wallpaper. A large window with curtains lets in natural light, and the ceiling has exposed white beams and a hanging glass chandelier.]()
Cotswolds
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![Cozy living room decorated for Christmas with a decorated mantel, a Christmas tree, and a fireplace with a fire burning, surrounded by vintage velvet chairs and pillows.]()
Cotswolds
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![A cozy restaurant or cafe decorated for Christmas with a Christmas tree, floral centerpiece, and dining tables set with glassware and napkins.]()
Cotswolds
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![Outdoor scene of the Porch House, an English pub, with a stone exterior and hanging signs, a small picnic table with benches, and a large bush decorated with string lights, during twilight in a village setting.]()
Cotswolds
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![Modern minimalist living room with neutral tones, a small green plant on a white coffee table, and a wicker basket in the corner.]()
Cotswolds
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![Cozy living room decorated for Christmas with small lit trees, lamps, bar area, and comfortable seating.]()
Cotswolds
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![A backyard garden with a small central fountain, surrounded by a patterned stone and pebble pathway, bordered by bushes and trees, with a curved green gate in the background, and ambient lighting illuminating the scene.]()
Cotswolds
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![A large, old stone house with a steep roof, multiple windows, and a chimney, framed by a massive tree with sprawling branches and dense foliage, surrounded by a well-maintained garden with trimmed bushes and a lawn.]()
Cotswolds
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![Living room corner with a green velvet sofa, beige armchair, glass coffee table, vintage white side table, decorative mirror, framed botanical print, lamp, and potted plant on the side table, with exposed wooden ceiling beams.]()
Cotswolds
DAILY ITINERARY
An English Dreamscape
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change based on the seasonality of experiences.
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DAY 1
December 1, 2026 - Tuesday
Arrival in London & Welcome Reception
Welcome to London! The city is at its most beautiful this week, lit up, garlanded, and smelling faintly of chestnuts. Settle in at Brown’s in Mayfair, then join us at The Donovan Bar for welcome cocktails and dinner just steps away at Il Gattopardo.
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DAY 2
December 2, 2026 - Wednesday
Wander, Shop & Festive Dinner
Yoga, a long breakfast, then London is yours. The Christmas market at Hyde Park, the windows along New Bond Street, and the little streets of Marylebone. Join us for an optional lunch at Lita, in the heart of Marylebone’s fabulous shopping district. Dinner together in the evening at La Petite Maison.
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Day 3
December 3, 2026 - Thursday
Palace Traditions & Countryside Arrival
We leave the city for Blenheim Palace, decked for Christmas on a scale that has to be seen, and the honey-stone village of Burford for lunch. By late afternoon we reach Thyme Hotel and Spa, and the first evening is a cozy one: cocktails, a light dinner with wine by the fire, then a festive film.
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DAY 4
December 4, 2026 - Friday
Christmas Morning Baking & Candlelight
Yoga in the Tithe Barn, then the Christmas-morning pastry you will make every December from now on, with Bucks Fizz in hand and pajamas entirely welcome. The afternoon is festive gifting: holiday candle making, boxed and ribboned to give. Dinner at The Swan.
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DAY 5
December 5, 2026 - Saturday
Village Walks & Festive Cocktails
Morning yoga, then we pull on wellies and walk the fields to Eastleach for tea and lunch, at your own expense. The afternoon belongs to the fire or the spa, and the evening to a cocktail class; you shake your own, then carry it through to dinner at the chef’s table.
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Day 6
December 6, 2026 - Sunday
Tablescaping, Holiday Cooking & Farewell Feast
Our last full day, and everything comes together. The morning is spent styling the table. The flowers you arrange are the flowers you will sit down tonight. Later, a holiday cooking demonstration with every trick worth stealing for your own Christmas table, then candlelight, music, and the table we made together.
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Day 7
December 7, 2026 - Monday
Homeward, With Holiday Hearts
One last slow breakfast, one last look at the fields. You go home with candles you poured, recipes you will cook again, and the memory of a table you set with your own hands. That is what the week was for. Allow about three hours to Heathrow, and book an afternoon flight so the morning stays unhurried.
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⟡ 2 nights at Brown’s Hotel, Mayfair
⟡ 4 nights at Thyme Hotel and Spa, in the Cotswolds
⟡ Yoga most mornings⟡ All breakfasts
⟡ All dinners with drinks
⟡ Some lunches
⟡ All planned activities:
Blenheim Palace, dressed for the holidays
Festive breakfast cookery demonstration
Festive gifting, holiday candle making
Festive cocktail demonstration
Tablescaping and floral arranging workshop
Holiday cooking demonstration and farewell feast
Guided village walk to Eastleach
Festive film night
⟡ All group transportation for excursions
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⟡ International airfare
⟡ Airport transfers
⟡ Some lunches, including lunch at the village pub on the walk day
⟡ Some alcohol
⟡ Spa treatments and personal purchases⟡ Travel insurance, required to join the 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 required at sign-up and is non-refundable and non-transferrable.
Final payment is due by September 2, 2026 (90 days before the retreat begins).
Retreat Package Price:
$9,800 USD Per Guest
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
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Yes. US citizens need an approved UK Electronic Travel Authorisation before travelling.
⟡ Apply at gov.uk/eta, the official site. Never a third-party site.
⟡ GBP 20 per person, including children
⟡ Valid two years, or until your passport expires
⟡ Airlines check before boarding, so apply as soon as your flights are booked
⟡ Usually approved in minutes, but allow up to 72 hours
Full details and any changes: gov.uk/eta
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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 our hotel to London Heathrow Airport, and we recommend booking afternoon or early-evening flights on Monday, December 7th to allow for a relaxed departure.
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The first week of December in London and the Cotswolds typically sees temperatures between 39 and 43°F, 4 to 6°C. Skies are often overcast with a chance of light rain, which only adds to the cozy winter atmosphere.
Daylight is short at this time of year. It is dark by around four in the afternoon, which is part of why the evenings feel so festive. Pack a warm coat and layers, and something waterproof for the village walk.
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A rain jacket, and comfortable shoes for walking London. A couple of casual, festive outfits for our dinners in the city. Then cozy clothes for the countryside, because we spend a good deal of the week on the property and being cozy is very much the plan. Thick socks are worth packing; wellington boots are provided for the village walk. Bring something festive for the final night, and a swimsuit if you plan to use the spa.
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The UK uses three-pin Type G sockets and runs at 230 volts. Bring an adapter, and check that anything with a motor or a heating element is dual voltage. Most phone and laptop chargers are.
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The UK runs almost entirely on cards, and contactless is accepted nearly everywhere, including village shops and taxis. You will not need much cash. Tips are usually included as a service charge on restaurant bills.
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The walk to Eastleach is a few kilometres each way across fields, at an easy pace, stopping for tea and lunch at the village pub. Lunch there is at your own expense. Wellington boots are provided. If you would rather sit it out, the morning is entirely yours.
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The spa books up, particularly in December. Treatments are not included and are best reserved well ahead. We will send the booking details once your place is confirmed.
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Dietary restrictions can be accommodated. Just let us know when you book, and again on the final travel form, and we will work with the kitchens ahead of the retreat.
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If you would like to add nights at either hotel before or after the retreat, let us know and we will pass your request on. Rates and availability are handled directly by the hotel.
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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, Elevation Travel
📧 sharon@elevationstvl.com
📞 404-626-4997 -
WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT OUR RETREATS
“One of the best vacations ever.”
"What made it truly exceptional was the incredible group—an inspiring mix of familiar faces and new friends. The food, wine, lodging, and scenery were all amazing, but what elevated the experience was the thoughtful leadership at the heart of it all.”
- Ron Farmer
“It’s rare to see something come together with such kindness, grace, and inspiration.”
"Every detail felt intentional, and the energy was uplifting from start to finish. Communication was flawless, and the value far exceeded expectations—it honestly felt underpriced for the quality of the experience. A truly exceptional trip in every way."
- Allyson Watkins
“Everything was perfect.”
"This experience ranked among the very best, even compared to some truly incredible past travels. The vibe, the attention to detail, and the sense of connection—it all came together seamlessly. A flawless, unforgettable vacation."
- Patrick Lennon
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