Reconnecting with Nature: Charlotte' Church’s Biophilic Retreat offers Healing and Wonder. The Elan Valley, nestled in the heart of mid-Wales, is a hidden gem of serene beauty and wild grandeur. Here, the landscape unfurls in soft, rolling hills, dotted with ancient woodlands and heather-clad slopes, while the deep, verdant valleys are carved by the meandering course of crystal-clear rivers. The air is fresh, tinged with the earthy scent of moss and pine, and the sky, often painted in hues of blue or grey, seems endless above this tranquil expanse.
Here is where The Dreaming is.
The Dreaming, which is a haven and a place of retreat for everyone, is the creation of Charlotte Church. Charlotte. Is known to many as a singer, but maybe fewer know her as a visionary of this beautiful space in Wales. It’s a place where she is manifesting her vision to help people reconnect with nature, both inside and out, where biophilia threads through the hills, waterfalls, valleys and right into the house where you stay.
And it is this house which is the epitome of Biophilic Design. It is designed not only with heart and honesty, but has been a work of love by Charlotte and the designers who helped create this home. The former home of the designer, Laura Ashley has fallen into disrepair when Charlotte came across the land.
Turning her desire to make a difference in the world for people and planet, the land informed her decision to create a retreat centre, transforming the land and the house into a Biophilic haven.
In a secluded corner of the Welsh countryside, internationally renowned singer-songwriter Charlotte has created a sanctuary that blends the power of nature, music, and design. The Dreaming, her newly opened retreat centre, is a testament to her lifelong passion for the restorative qualities of the natural world.
Nestled in the Elan Valley, surrounded by cascading waterfalls and ancient forests, The Dreaming is a place where visitors are invited to shed the trappings of modern life and immerse themselves in the rhythms of the land.
Charlotte's journey to this point has been shaped by a growing awareness of the disconnect between humans and nature, a disconnect she believes is at the root of many of society's ills. "Nature keeps us in balance," she explains. "When we separate ourselves from it, we become way out of balance in every way possible."
At The Dreaming, Charlotte has created a space that aims to rekindle that essential connection. Through a blend of biophilic design, holistic practices, and the power of music, she hopes to guide visitors on a transformative journey of self-discovery and healing.
"It's about an opening," Charlotte says of the experiences people have at the retreat. "Almost everybody that comes here, experiences some form of opening, whatever the walls that we build around ourselves and our hearts, they just start to loosen a little bit."
The Dreaming's architectural design is a testament to this philosophy. Crafted with natural materials and a keen eye for integrating the outdoors, the spaces are imbued with a sense of warmth and wonder. From the cozy "Cwtch" room, with its plush sofa and rustic charm, to the mystical "Mystic" suite, with its vibrant saris and ancient-inspired decor, each space is designed to evoke a different facet of the natural world.
But it's not just the environment that captivates. The Dreaming's programs, led by Charlotte and a team of skilled practitioners, are designed to immerse visitors in the rhythms of nature. Dawn chanting, dark sky immersions, and communal music-making are just a few of the offerings that aim to reconnect people with their innate sense of wonder and creativity.
"I think that the land does the majority of the work," Charlotte says. "I feel like when people leave, they leave with a sense of awe, wonder, the mysteries, the magic."
For Charlotte, this magic is not limited to the confines of The Dreaming. She believes that the power of nature-based healing is accessible to everyone, no matter where they live. "You can go to a beach, you can go to a forest, you can go to a river, wherever you are most drawn."
The Dreaming, then, is not just a retreat centre, but a model for a new way of living in harmony with the natural world. By tapping into the deep well of wisdom and healing that resides in the land, Charlotte hopes to inspire a broader cultural shift, one that recognizes the vital role of nature in our individual and collective well-being.
"I've watched people really connect with joy for the first time in years," Charlotte says. "Another thing that I try and instil when I'm here is that this it doesn't have to be in this place, and it doesn't have to be facilitated by very clever, very learned, very spiritual people - you can go and do this wherever you are, wherever you are."
As the world grapples with the mounting challenges of climate change and social disconnection, The Dreaming stands as a beacon of hope, a place where the ancient wisdom of the land is honoured and the power of human creativity is unleashed. For those who venture here, the experience is nothing short of transformative – a reminder that the path to healing and wholeness lies not in the pursuit of material wealth or status, but in the simple act of reconnecting with the natural world that sustains us all.It’s a place where music, nature, biophilia entwine.
Come with me to the Dreaming.
[photos by Elliott Cooper]
Book yourself a Biophilic experience which will you remember for the rest of your life:
https://www.thedreaming.co.uk
Check out http://www.rczm.co.uk Clare Bowman's Biophilic Design consultancy too.
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