24hr Champing Retreat

(Arkengarthdale )

⛪ Champing (Church Camping) Soundbath & Wild Swim Retreat | 2026

Step out of the everyday and into something extraordinary.

In 2026, you’re invited to an overnight and luminous experience in an ancient church — gathering around a crackling fire, sharing beautiful vegetarian food, and sleeping beneath stained glass during a deeply restorative overnight soundbath with Gong Master Duncan Forrester.

As night falls, the outside world fades away. Stone walls hold silence. Firelight flickers. Sound vibrates through history. And you rest — deeply, safely, profoundly.

In the morning, after breakfast, the journey continues with a guided wild swim at a hidden waterfall, completing a unique retreat experience of sanctuary, sound, fire, and water.

This is not just a retreat.

It’s an experience.

A story.

A sanctuary.

📖 Retreat Dates (Choose Your Chapter)

• Fri 15 – Sat 16 May 2026

• Sat 16 – Sun 17 May 2026

• Fri 17 – Sat 18 July 2026

• Sat 18 – Sun 19 July 2026

Each retreat is limited to 10 participants to preserve intimacy, safety, and the atmosphere of sanctuary.

🌿 What’s Included

• Overnight stay inside an ancient church (champing experience)

• Hearty vegetarian evening meal

• Healthy breakfast

• Campfire gathering (weather permitting)

• Evening Soundbath and gong journey with Duncan Forrester

• Guided wild swim at a hidden waterfall

• Breakfast and refreshments

• Fully guided experience throughout

🕯️ Loose Retreat Flow (Approximate Agenda)

Arrival Day

Arrive in the afternoon and settle into the church space. Take time to explore, relax, and ground into the environment.

As evening approaches, enjoy a shared vegetarian meal before gathering around the campfire. As darkness falls, you’ll enter the sacred stillness of the church for a deeply restorative overnight soundbath with gongs and bowls, before settling into sleep within the hallowed walls.

Morning

Wake gently in the quiet of the church and enjoy breakfast together. Afterwards, travel to a hidden waterfall for a refreshing, guided wild swim.

Return mid morning, collect your belongings, and depart feeling grounded, renewed, and restored.

💷 Investment

£179 per person

£40 deposit secures your place

Balance due 4 weeks before the event

Only 10 places available per retreat.

🚗 Arrival, Parking & Transport

Secure parking is available near Grinton for £5 for 24 hours (bring cash)

Once you arrive, Les will collect you in the minibus and take you on the short but beautiful journey to the church.

At the end of the retreat, you and your belongings will be returned safely to the parking location.

Full location details for the church in Arkengarthdale, Yorkshire Dales National Park will be provided on booking.

♀️ Important Information

This is a female-only retreat, due to limited shared accommodation and facilities within the church space. There is WC and hand basin for washing but no showering facilities.

🧳 What to Bring

• Swimming kit

• Warm, comfortable clothes

• A camp chair

• A yoga mat, pillow, and blanket for the Soundbath

• Suitable clothing for the weather

🌊 Who This Retreat Is For

This retreat is for you if you: • Love unique, meaningful experiences

• Are drawn to sound healing and sacred spaces

• Enjoy wild swimming or want to explore it gently

• Crave deep rest and nervous-system reset

• Want connection without pressure

• Value intimacy, warmth, and community

No previous soundbath or wild swimming experience is required — just an open heart and a sense of adventure.

If you have any questions, please get in touch via the website contact page or email hello@thedalesdipper.co.uk

🎟️ Booking

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