Sussex yoga & walking weekend retreat 

Wild coast and rolling downs

2nd - 4th October 2026 

A leisurely weekend by the East Sussex sea with a menu of yoga, beaches, swims, cliff and river walks, arts and crafts or simply taking it easy.

All served up in a gorgeous retreat centre with vast gardens opening onto magnificent chalk cliffs and countryside. Heart warming hospitality and conviviality on tap. Plenty of space for quiet time too.  

For more info and to book please get in touch

Location 

We’ll be staying at charming Florence House, an Edwardian country house right on the edge of Seaford, with 6 acres of gardens and direct access to Seven Sisters Country Park and the coastal path. 

 The rolling countryside and dramatic cliffs beside this beautifully restored 1930s stone mansion form part of an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the South Downs National Park.

Seaford seafront with its colourful beach huts, promenade and cafes is 5 minutes walk straight out the front gate. Coast, river and country walks abound.

The Space 

Florence House is spacious, comfortable and peaceful. It boasts a large yoga room opening onto the gardens with light pouring in.

There’s a cosy lounge area where you can snuggle up, a generous dining room, and central heating throughout the building. Luxuriate in underfloor heating in the lounge and wood burners too.

All bedrooms are very comfortable and renovated to a high standard. Modern bathrooms are shared between 2 - 3 rooms depending on location, with one or two en suite options available. 

Outdoors there’s a fire pit circle, a yurt space, a delightful walled kitchen garden, a small orchard, mature trees, lots of lawn and stunning views. The owners keep the gardens wildlife friendly which attracts badgers, birdlife and bees, among other creatures. 

Optional activities

Swims, Walks and Hikes

For a gentle seaside stroll or dip in the waves head west along Seaford promenade. Continue to Tide Mills nature reserve at the Newhaven end of Seaford beach, with coffee en route, 

For more of a walk, follow the cliff path east past Seaford Head nature reserve to Cuckmere Haven where meandering river meets wild sea, forming a migratory corridor for birds. Enjoy sweeping views to Seven Sisters and beyond them, rising sharply into the sky, Beachy Head. 

For a proper hike start at the Seven Sisters Visitor Centre with cafe to head up the South Downs Way. Pause for a cuppa and cake at Litlington Tea Gardens, with an option to continue on to the pretty village of Alfriston, before returning along the banks of the River Cuckmere.

See Seaford Head Nature Reserve, Seven Sisters walking trails and Seven Sisters visitors map for more details.

Arts and Crafts 

We will provide a host of materials for you to paint, draw, collage and make decorations with. 

Resting up 

If you are in need of doing very little, you can put your feet up, contemplate, read, enjoy the lovely lounge, terraces and gardens with expansive views. 

Massage 

For an additional charge we can organise a massage for you as a special treat.

NB. We will organise a selection of group walks or you are free to wander as you please.

 

Food

Florence House is known for its outstanding vegetarian food cooked by in-house chefs. Meals are nourishing, and use locally sourced organic food with some homegrown produce as much as possible. Vegan and gluten free options are available (see below).

Breakfast includes a selection of fruit juices, fresh fruit platter, cereals, yogurt, eggs and selection of breads. 

Lunch consists of a vegetarian main course with salads and vegetables. We can order packed lunches for walkers. 

For dinner we’ wil tuck into a vegetarian main course, salads, vegetables and dessert.

Help yourself to unlimited teas, coffee, fresh filtered water, fruit bowl and biscuits throughout the weekend.

For vegan, gluten free and special diets, an additional charge of £5 may be added per meal if dishes involve complexity. 

The programme 

This schedule will you an idea of timings, but may be subject to change:  

Friday

3.30 pm onwards - Arrivals
5 pm - Orientation from our hosts 
5. 30 - 6. 45 pm - Gentle Yoga 
7.15 pm - Dinner

Saturday 

8.30  - 9.45 am - Rise and Shine Yoga 
10 - 11.00 am - Breakfast, with cooked option   
FREE TIME 
1 pm - Cooked lunch or packed lunch 
FREE TIME 
5.30 - 7 pm - Restorative Yoga
7.30 pm - Dinner 

Sunday 

8.30 - 9.45 am - Rise and Shine Yoga 
10 - 11 am  - Breakfast, with cooked option 
FREE TIME 
1pm - Cooked lunch or packed lunch 
FREE TIME
3 pm - Yin Yoga/ Restorative Yoga 
4.30 pm - Departure 

Getting there  

By train from London to Seaford there are various routes including: 

London Victoria / Clapham Junction every half an hour - change at Lewes, a very charming station with 2 cafes.

Or board a Thameslink train at Kings Cross, Blackfriars or London Bridge for example, change at Haywards Heath

 You can order a taxi to meet your train and bring you to Florence House. Local taxi companies include:

  • Martello Taxis: 01323 492929

  • Day-Night Taxis’ 01323 896666

  • Beacon Taxis 01323 898888

If you’re travelling light, you could choose to walk through Seaford town centre and along the eastern end of the promenade, then up Corsica Rd to Florence House (approx 20 mins).

Coming by car

There is ample on site parking if needed.

The teacher

I’m Vimalamani (my Buddhist name, aka Sally Ramsden). I trained as a yoga teacher when I realised how much yoga helped reduce stress and improve my sleep. I teach variations of Hatha Yoga and also  Restorative Yoga. On this retreat we will build up gradually from a gentle opening practice on arrival to a more dynamic flow in the mornings, balanced by lying down restorative postures Saturday afternoon. 

The organiser - I am delighted that my dear friend Kate Sebag is joining us for this retreat  She loves to walk, swim, play tennis and practice yoga and is a warm and wonderful host. She will support you to get what you need from this special weekend. When Kate is not busy being a professional gardener she loves to travel.  

Prices

All rooms in the main house have shared bathrooms except one twin room. There are 3 bathrooms on the first floor, 2 more on the second floor, and 2 on the ground floor.

  • 2 x small and sweet single rooms, shared bathrooms: £550

  • 2 x double bed rooms, with shared bathrooms: £625 single occupancy or £525 per person

  • 8 twin rooms, with shared bathrooms: £595 single occupancy or £525 per person

  • 1 twin room with ensuite: £675 single occupancy or £565 per person

One of the 2 garden annex ground floor rooms has an accessible shower:

  • 1 x twin room ensuite (wheelchair accessible): £675 single occupancy or £575 twin per person

  • 1 x double bed, 1 single bed shared room with ensuite: £675 single occupancy or twin £575 per person

What’s included

  • 2 nights of accommodation with full board from arrival on Friday

  • 5 yoga classes

  • 2 breakfasts

  • 2 lunches (with packed lunch option)

  • 2 dinners (3 courses)

  • 2 group walks (for those who wish)

  • tea, coffee, fruit and biscuits, water

  • all bedding and towels

What’s not included

  • Transport from your home to the venue and back

  • Any taxis or buses you use to/from local beaches, walks, etc.

  • Any food, drink, fares and fees on walks or excursions

  • You need to bring your own yoga mat

Photos taken on my late October recky 2025 or thanks to Florence House

Email me, stating your preferred accommodation and I will let you know availability and payment details.

To secure your booking you then need to send your deposit. The balance is due 3 months before the start date ie. 1st July 2026.