Charlotte Church will suspend operations at her wellness retreat from December as the team undertakes a comprehensive review of its direction and purpose. The Dreaming, located at Rhydoldog House near Rhayader in Powys, has announced an indefinite pause to allow organisers to "germinate new dreams for the future" in response to shifting global circumstances.
The retreat, which Church established at the 15th-century property she acquired in 2021, has welcomed more than 3,000 guests over the past five years. In a statement shared on social media, the team explained that the pause would enable them to reassess what services the retreat should provide in an increasingly complex world.
"Through the harvest season, it is important to discern what requires attention from that which is falling away, what needs to be put to compost. We need the chance to compost, mulch, go fallow, listen deeply to the earth, so that we can germinate new dreams for the future."
Church purchased Rhydoldog House, a seven-bedroom property valued at £1.5 million, in 2021. The house has deep historical roots, dating back to the 15th century, and was previously owned by textile, fashion and retail entrepreneur Laura Ashley and her husband Bernard, remaining in the family's possession until Bernard's death in 2009. The property's transformation into a wellness centre later featured in a Discovery Channel documentary series.
The retreat officially opened in April 2023, having begun accepting bookings from 2022. According to Nation.Cymru, The Dreaming also offers an eight-chapter online course described as a land-led programme of ritual, imagination and practice with Church. This online offering is set to remain available on a pay-what-you-can basis, with the lowest tier priced at £90.
The team acknowledged that the world has transformed significantly since the project's inception.
"As we stare clear-eyed at the exponentially complexifying crises that have been spreading out ahead of us all like cracking ice, we at The Dreaming need to reassess, with candour and courage, what it is we should be offering to be in service."
What happens next?
Before the indefinite pause takes effect, The Dreaming has scheduled final retreats. According to the retreat's website, a Samhain retreat will run from 28 October to 1 November 2026, followed by a final WITCH retreat from 9 to 13 November 2026. As reported by Nation.Cymru, a small number of places remain available for the November retreat after the waiting list was offered priority access.
The team has not provided a specific date for when the retreat might resume operations. In their statement, they indicated:
"We cannot say when exactly we will be returning from the dream realm, but return we shall."
How did the retreat develop?
Church's vision for Rhydoldog House emerged from a 2021 planning application that outlined her intention to transform the property into a carbon-neutral wellbeing and healing retreat. The proposal included four log cabins in the grounds to serve as tourist accommodation. The subsequent renovation and development of the site attracted significant media attention, culminating in its feature on the Discovery Channel documentary series.
Key Facts:
- The Dreaming has hosted over 3,000 guests since launching in 2023
- The retreat's online course will remain available on a pay-what-you-can basis starting at £90
- Final scheduled retreats include Samhain (28 October–1 November) and WITCH (9–13 November 2026)
- Rhydoldog House is a 15th-century property previously owned by fashion entrepreneur Laura Ashley
- No reopening date has been specified by the retreat's team
