Overview
Glass House Retreat is the UK’s first purpose-built detox and wellness eco-friendly retreat. Built from scratch, it’s located among seven acres of lush Essex countryside and it's only 30 minutes from London so ideal for a quick getaway from city life. It exists to help you live a healthier, fitter and a more relaxed life. Come here to expect a mix of top fitness facilities and classes, spa treatments and healthy plant-based nutrition. As it's a small retreat, there is a really friendly atmosphere and it's great for solo travellers looking to be with like-minded people.
Glass House retreat is also strictly caffeine free.
When to go
What we love
- The building itself is an eco-friendly build with solar panels, a ground source heat pump and rain water recycling technology
- The delicious plant-based meals created by head chef Miguel and his team – expect exciting, nutritious and calorie-controlled meals
- If you want to avoid all technology, there are digital detox safes available to lock your phone away!
Who should go
- If you want to detox or lose some weight, the retreat is highly motivating and you'll be guided by the expert team
- Solo travellers who would like to be in a fun and motivating group environment
- Those wanting to escape the city to the beautiful countryside.
Offers
- 1 FREE Cryotherapy or Dermalux face treatment (30 minutes) per person
- Repeat client discount - 15% discount if you book 60 days from your departure day (min 2 nights retreat)
Wellness
Wellness is integrated into everything at this retreat. The philosophy here is to help you lead a healthier lifestyle. You can experience Cryotherapy here which is a ground breaking treatment which soothes muscular injuries, aids weight-loss and improves overall wellness. Apart from getting treatments you can join Glasshouse's group fitness classes such as yoga, Pilates, different cardio training or morning walks. There is something for everyone.
Facilities include heated swimming pool, fitness studio, fully equipped gym, salt block sauna, relaxation lounge, 8 treatment rooms, a cryo chamber. In summer 2021 Glasshouse introduced new outdoor facilities especially designed for wellness programmes including natural swimming pond, warming Finnish sauna and wellness dome which hosts talks or midday mindfulness classes. Team also runs bootcamp style classes outdoors.
Glasshouse is offering short or long (from 2 to 21 nights). You can book 4 nights retreat directly on our website but if 4 nights does not suit you please call us for longer or shorter stay and we will arrange this for you *.
Each retreat includes a cryotherapy session and a spa credit (value depends on your length of stay) to use as per your liking so you can build a retreat that is perfect for you!
A typical day at the retreat might look like this:
*07:00 Rise and shine
*07:30 Hot water and fresh lemon
*07:45 Hour-long countryside walk
*09:00 Breakfast
*10:00 Morning Mindfulness
*10:30 Strength / Flexibility Class
*11:30 Cardio / Flexibility Class
*12:15 Aqua / Dance Class
*13:00 Lunch
*14:00 Meridian Mindfulness
*14:20 Crafts
*14:30 Cardio Class
*15:15 Core Class / Aqua Class
*16:00 Food Demo
*16:15 Flexibility Class
*17:15 Workshop
*18:00 – Q&A
*19:00 Dinner
*20:00 Restorative entertainment
* Please note that hotel is closed from 24 December to 4 January *
- Deep tissue massage
- Hydrotherm massage
- Swedish massage
- Lime and ginger salt scrub
- Detox wrap
- Anti-Blemish mattify and calm facial
Activities
- Countryside walk
- Plant-based demonstration
- Relax in the communal lounge which has comfy seats and a flat screen TV – it’s the perfect place to relax at the end of the day
- Explore the beautiful surrounding countryside
Typical Group Classes
- HIIT
- Box Fit
- Pad Work
- Circuits
- Weights
- Conditioning
- Core
- Core Sliders
- Yoga (Varying Styles)
- Aerial Yoga
- Pilates
- Barre
- Dance
- Aqua
- Mindfulness
- Workshops
- Restorative Classes such as Sound Baths & Meditation
Sample Weekly Class Schedule
Please note - Classes are subject to change and seasonal adjustmentsRooms
There are 21 rooms in total including 10 premier and 10 superior rooms. There are also a few disabled access rooms. They are comfortable and modern and many have countryside views. Difference between Premier and Superior room is the size - premiers are bigger - and most premier rooms have bathtub, superior rooms have showers only.
There is also one room type - Superior Restrictive view room - which is similar to Superior room but has frosted windows. This room offers the best value but get's get booked up well in advance. Please contact us for availability.
There is complimentary wi-fi available but if you want to avoid your phone, there are digital detox safes available to help you fully re-charge.
The Superior Rooms are 26 m2 and can accommodate up to 2 people.
They have either a double bed or two double beds.
They have a private shower room.
Facilities include smart 49-inch flat screen TV, herbal teas, vegan and eco-friendly toiletries and complimentary Wi-Fi.
The Premier room is 35 sqm and can accommodate up to 2 people.
They have either a double bed or two double beds.
They have a private en-suite with a bath and overhead shower or walk-in shower.
Facilities include smart 49-inch flat screen TV, herbal teas, vegan and eco-friendly toiletries and complimentary Wi-Fi.
What’s on the menu
Location
By car
From the North:
If you are coming to the Glass House Retreat from the North on the M25, get off at junction 29 to go on to the A127 towards Southend. Head to Bulphan turning right on to the A128 and taking the 3rd exit of the roundabout. Turn right on to Church Road leading on to Fen Lane. The retreat is on the corner of Harrow Road and Fen Lane on the left-hand side.
From the South:
If you are coming to the Glass House Retreat from the South or the centre of London get off at junction 31 of the M25 to go on to the A13 towards Southend or take the A13 out of central London. Head to Bulphan turning left on to the A128 at the roundabout. Turn left in the centre of Bulphan on to Church Road leading on to Fen Lane. The retreat is on Fen Lane on the corner of Harrow Road and Fen Lane on the left-hand side.
Arriving by Train
The nearest train station is West Horndon. You can get a train from London Fenchurch Street Station directly to West Horndon and it takes approximately 30 minutes. There is a taxi rank at the station and from here it's a 5 minute drive to the retreat costing approximately £5.