Best Menopause Wellness Retreats in the UK: What to Look For
Menopause retreats have grown rapidly in the UK. A guide to what to look for, how to evaluate claims, what they cost, and online alternatives.
Why Menopause Retreats Have Grown in Popularity
Menopause retreats have become a genuine sector of the wellness industry in the UK over the past five years. For many women, the appeal is straightforward. Perimenopause can feel isolating, especially when symptoms are dismissed by GPs, misunderstood by partners, or invisible at work. A retreat offers a few days in community with other women going through the same thing, alongside structured activity, rest, and access to specialists. The best retreats combine physical, nutritional, and psychological support in a way that is difficult to replicate in everyday life. The worst are expensive spa breaks with a menopause label attached. Knowing the difference before booking matters.
What a Good Menopause Retreat Should Include
Medically informed content is non-negotiable. The best retreats include at least one session with a BMS-accredited menopause specialist or GP who can answer clinical questions about HRT, testing, and treatment options. Exercise sessions should be appropriate for perimenopause, which typically means a mix of strength training, low-impact cardio, and mobility work, not just yoga and walking. Nutrition talks should be grounded in evidence rather than marketing trendy supplements. Psychological support, whether through group discussion, mindfulness, or a therapist-led session on managing anxiety or identity changes, is valuable and often what women find most transformative. Time for genuine rest and reflection, without a packed schedule, is also important.
Types of Menopause Retreat in the UK
Residential retreats run over two to five days, typically in rural or coastal settings. They are the most immersive and expensive option, ranging from around 600 to 2,500 pounds depending on accommodation and the quality of programme. Day retreats run for a single day and are considerably more affordable, often 100 to 300 pounds, and accessible to women who cannot take time away from work or family. Workshop-based retreats combine educational sessions with smaller group discussions and tend to attract women who want more knowledge and community than relaxation. Spa retreats with a menopause theme may offer some useful talks but primarily sell relaxation. Each has its place depending on what you are looking for.
How to Evaluate Retreat Claims
Ask directly about the medical credentials of whoever is delivering the health content. A menopause retreat led by a wellness coach with no clinical background is fundamentally different from one led by a menopause specialist. Ask for a full programme itinerary before booking, not a vague description of what the retreat is about. Check that any nutritional or supplement recommendations are based on evidence and that the retreat is not primarily a vehicle for selling branded products. Read unsponsored reviews from previous attendees on independent platforms. Ask the organisers directly what the maximum group size is. Smaller groups, typically under 20 women, tend to allow for more meaningful connection and more personalised attention.
Online Retreat Options
Online retreat experiences have expanded significantly since 2020 and offer genuine value for women who cannot travel or afford residential options. Several menopause specialists and educators now run structured online programmes that combine live video sessions, pre-recorded content, and group support over one to four weeks. These typically cost between 100 and 400 pounds and can be done from home. The trade-off is the loss of physical environment and in-person community, but many women report finding the connection in online groups surprisingly meaningful. Look for programmes with live Q&A access to a clinician, structured content rather than just videos, and an active community component.
What to Do Between Retreats
A retreat, residential or online, is most valuable when it connects to ongoing practice rather than being a standalone event. Women who get the most from retreats typically leave with a clear set of changes they intend to make, whether to diet, exercise, sleep habits, or how they approach medical appointments. Building those changes into daily life over the weeks and months that follow determines whether the retreat made a lasting difference. This is where a daily logging habit helps. Using an app like PeriPlan to track symptoms, workouts, and patterns after a retreat gives you evidence of whether the changes you made are having an effect, and keeps the motivation to continue alive.
Making the Investment Worth It
Good menopause retreats are not cheap, and the return on investment depends heavily on choosing the right one and following through afterwards. The most common regret among women who attend retreats is not doing the follow-up work. The most common positive outcome is a shift in how they approach their own health, specifically a greater willingness to advocate for themselves with healthcare providers and a clearer sense of what changes to prioritise. If cost is a barrier to a residential retreat, a well-designed day retreat or online programme can provide comparable value at a fraction of the price. The quality of the clinicians and the structure of the programme matters far more than the accommodation or setting.
Related reading
Get your personalized daily plan
Track symptoms, match workouts to your day type, and build a routine that adapts with you through every phase of perimenopause.