Retreats 2025
Whether walking the Pewsey Downs National Nature Reserve with blue skies above on the frozen sheep shorn grass of winter or the lush and colourful wild meadow flowers of summer, the spirit of Wiltshire will sooth your bones, being and beyond. For thousands of years, pilgrims and travellers have been coming to these hills, drawn by the energies which spawned stone monuments to the sun, moon and stars, like Avebury, just to the north, and Stonehenge, fifteen miles to the south.
The science is simple. The low hills have a thin crust of chalk on their crowns, providing little resistance to the universal pull above and the earth’s molten core below. Add to this a gigantic aquifer, just below the local valleys floors, and a surge of electro-magnetic energy pervades which makes its visitors feel great. In the heat of the summer, plasma orbs of white energy can be spotted, often flitting around the still inexplicable phenomena of crop circles. These extraordinary but temporary temples to sacred geometry and divine prophecy proliferate more greatly here than anywhere else on this planet.
Smithy Art Forgery, with its roaring forges from fall then cooling bliss from spring, provides the most nurturing base from which to explore the natural magic that pervades. In addition to its cosy beds, the 375 year blacksmiths’ thatched cottage, workshop and garden provides a haven for all varieties of artists to perform and showcase the very best in local culture, art, jewellery and wellbeing. Home cooked food and local ale are provided for sustenance too. We are modelling our retreat holidays, for 6-9 people, around this beautiful framework.
Following the monthly success of her Poetry Evenings, Kit Birks is hosting her own two night adventure in early April, ‘Earth & Ink: a retreat into Presence, Poetry & Nature’. The experience is designed to guide you back to your Self and the Natural World through guided meditation, group Reiki and outdoor writing practices inspired by the local beauty around us. Beds, food and drink are provided for poetry pilgrims from afar or day passes are available for literary locals. It matters not if you are a novice writer or Booker Prize winner, this retreat is for one and all.
We are also delighted to announce that our favourite pagan princesses, ‘Mary Magdalene’, are hosting a weekend retreat to honour the Goddess Eostre. This two night retreat includes a day of yoga, meditation, nature and sounds with Lila and Annie, plus tickets to their beautiful public concert on the Saturday evening. Beds, all food and drinks will be provided. Guests will leave on Sunday morning in time to reach family or friends’ Easter luncheons.
Lila continues the good work on the first May Bank Holiday with ‘Awakening the Creative Spirit’. This beautiful long weekend retreat includes three nights accommodation, all food and drink, Lila’s personal guidance for yoga, meditation, body-mind and creativity focus, nature and music. Her public acoustic concert, LILA TRISTRAM live! is also part of the experience on the Saturday evening in the Smithy. This is the most magical way to spend the early May Bank holiday.
For those wishing to experience the full pantheon of Smithy Art Forgery pampering, our monthly ‘Wiltshire Week’ retreats are available from the end of April. Whether you wish to stay for 2, 4 or 6 nights, the week is segmented to include historic sites and nature walks, lectures, music and poetry evenings, all food and drink, single and double rooms. Come and stay as an individual, couple or group. It is not a suitable environment for young children. Peace and quiet will prevail when the artistic, cultural and spiritual celebrations are over! In addition to this plethora of bliss, the garden’s yurt (AKA The Temple of Transcendence) has a full programme of wellbeing activities available including Breathwork, Cacao and Chanupa Ceremonies, Cranial Sacral Therapy, Dreamcatcher Workshop, Drum Circle, Meditation, PandoraStar Light & Sound Bath, Tarot and Yin Yoga. Contact your host, Guy Shepherd , to plan and book the perfect additional package for your stay in advance please.
Guy is a jeweller, dreamer and romantic. These qualifications and Smithy Art Forgery make this the perfect setting for your bespoke ‘Romance Retreat’. Whether you are planning an engagement or anniversary, a four poster bed, homecooked cuisine, sparkling champagne and sparklier jewels await your stay. With over 30 years of experience making fine jewellery and nearly 20 years as proprietor of the Smithy, your host will make sure you and your partner have the most perfect celebration. Contact Guy Shepherd to diarise and plan the details.
Smithy Art Forgery is a haven for the arts and these beautiful retreats are the best way to experience your personal favourites. Before you book through our website, have a look at our Crowdfunder page to benefit from the relevant retreat rewards and 10% discount offers.
We very much look forward to welcoming you in the spirit of Wiltshire.