The Winter Retreat for Women in Events concluded this weekend at the stunning De Vere Horsley Estate in Surrey. The 1.5 day wellness experience marked another success for co-founders Gabby Austen Browne and Lucy Eden. The retreat series continues to address critical wellbeing needs within the events industry…
Lucy Eden (left) and Gabby Austen Browne
Following the success of their inaugural Autumn Retreat in October 2025, the Winter Retreat expanded to an overnight residential format. 13 events professionals were welcomed to the grounds of the historic De Vere Horsley Estate for a carefully curated programme of rest, reflection and reconnection.
The retreat made full use of the venue’s remarkable facilities, with participants experiencing the grandeur of the Great Hall for movement sessions, meditation, discussions and soundbaths. The delicious and nourishing meals enjoyed at the intimate 1820 dining room were an important part of the programme, as was the exclusive use of the Towers Bar & Lounge for evening connection. The estate has 75 acres of pristine countryside which provided the perfect backdrop for their winter walks and forest bathing. And after a fully packed day, the luxurious accommodation in the Towers Mansion House, surrounded by Surrey Hills views, allowed participants to fully immerse themselves in the experience.
What did the Women in Events Retreat guests said about the experience
โIย went in with no expectations, but the experience turned out to be deeply positive and much needed. Taking the time to slow down, breathe, and reset was one of the best things Iโve done for myself in a long time. Thank you Gabrielle and Lucy, who created a nurturing, safe environment where true and heartfelt connections were possible. Grateful for the experience and the incredible women I met along the way.โ –ย shared retreat attendeeย – Gema Rodriguez, Managing Director, TFI Lodestar.
Whilst Tracey, a Wellbeing and Resilience Specialist said “The biggest and most profound shift for me was realising how far Iโd drifted from trusting my own instinct. This retreat gently brought me back to myself. It reminded me to listen, to feel, and to trust again, something I didnโt even realise Iโd lost along the way.Iโm leaving feeling grounded, empowered, and so grateful for the experience. I couldnโt recommend it enough.โ
The programme was thoughtfully curated and expertly facilitated by Eden and Austen Browne, with carefully timed contributions from wellness practitioners woven throughout the retreat. Positioned at the midpoint of winter, the dates intentionally honoured the essence of the season while gesturing toward the promise of spring. Set against an otherwise demanding events calendar, the retreat offered a vital pause, a space to reset and recharge, and a journey that embraced winterโs energy of stillness, reflection and introspection.
The Women in Events Retreat offered a much needed reset and recharge
Day one included restorative yoga, a guided candle-lit meditation and sound bath, followed by a powerful fire ceremony and womenโs tea ceremony to close the day. Day two continued the journey with a winter-nourishing self-care session led by a facial expert, alongside swimming, energising yoga, forest bathing, wellness walks through the estateโs woodland paths, and mood-boarding sessions that encouraged deep sharing and collective intention-setting. An open, ongoing forum also ran throughout the retreat, providing a supportive space for women in events to connect, share experiences and be held by the community.
De Vere Horsley Estate catering was all seasonal and plant-based
Seasonal, plant-based cuisine featured throughout, with menus designed to support women’s hormonal health and winter’s restorative needs, reflecting the retreat’s philosophy of nourishment on every level.
What we’re seeing is a genuine hunger for spaces where women in events can pause in and prioritise themselves,” explains Austen Browne. “The expansion from our day retreat to this overnight format allowed for even deeper work. Participants told us they felt held, witnessed, and genuinely transformed.”
Eden shares, โThis retreat was about creating something deeper and more impactful than another event in the calendar. They go beyond networking to foster real, human connection. By placing womenโs lived experiences, both inside and outside the events industry at the core, we create a space where meaningful change can happen. Itโs about valuing womenโs time, energy and investment, and recognising that when those are honoured, the industry evolves with them.โ
Powerful format for making deep connections
Attendees were unanimous in their feedback that this style of gathering is profoundly impactful. Many reflected that the depth of connection formed in just a few hours surpassed relationships built over years within the industry. By creating intentional space for stillness, openness and shared experience, the retreat demonstrated the power of bringing people together in a more meaningful way. It begs the question: is it time we reimagined how we gather, connect and create lasting change within our industry?
More Women in Events Retreats are planned
For events professionals who missed this weekend’s experience, more retreats are currently being planned with early registration opening soon. If you’d like to stay informed and be the first to know, please complete this form.
About The Seasonal Retreat:
The Seasonal Retreat โ For Women Who Lead, Create, and Care โ is a sanctuary designed exclusively for women and non-binary event professionals. Grounded in seasonal wisdom and the realities of working in a demanding industry, the retreats blend reflection, rest, connection, community and professional insight to create meaningful, lasting change.
