Where Wild Meets Wellbeing
WildEmber Bothy is more than a mobile sauna - it’s a space for elemental wellbeing, held with care, depth, and purpose. Founded by David Girling - a psychotherapist, ecotherapist, and canoe and paddleboard coach - WildEmber blends heat, cold, nature, and nervous system awareness to create experiences that restore, regulate and reconnect.
Seasonal Day Retreats
Our WildEmber day retreats are slow, spacious days designed around heat, movement, nature and time to pause.
Each retreat runs from 10:00am – 5:00pm and follows a gentle rhythm:
A typical retreat flow
✔️ Morning welcome and grounding yoga with Tina Logan Yoga in the WildEmber tent
✔️ Wood-fired sauna and cold water immersion
✔️ Shared seasonal lunch
✔️ A unique 90-minute activity, changing with each retreat (see bolow)
✔️ Closing with yoga or a final sauna session
Each Retreat day is priced at £135pp for the day
With a maximum of eight people per retreat.
Herbalism & Fermentation Day Retreat - Sat 28 March - Caroline Green
A spring-focused herbalism day exploring plants that emerge at this time of year and how they support common seasonal illnesses and allergies. Caroline Green leads a specialist tasting and learning session featuring fermented preparations alongside guided plant identification and uses. The day includes yoga in the wellness tent, sauna sessions and a shared vegetarian lunch onsite.
Breathwork Day Retreat - Sat 25 April - Sarah Beth Hunt
This retreat centres on therapeutic breathwork rooted in pranayama and guided functional methods, integrated with the yoga practice of the day. The specialist session develops practical breathing tools for regulation, awareness and nervous system support. Sauna, wellness tent sessions and shared vegetarian lunch are all included onsite.
Nature Art Day Retreat - Sat 16 May
A creative nature-based retreat inspired by land art approaches, using natural materials gathered onsite to create temporary sculpture and form. The specialist session focuses on making, observing and working with the landscape in a mindful, low-impact way. Yoga, wellness tent use, sauna and shared vegetarian lunch shape the rhythm of the day.
Paddleboarding Day Retreat - Sat 13 June - David Girling
A beginner-friendly paddleboarding retreat where all ability levels are supported and developed from their starting point. The specialist session teaches skills within a guided journey format, building confidence and efficiency on the water. The day is anchored by yoga in the wellness tent, sauna recovery and shared vegetarian lunch onsite.
Foraging Day Retreat - Sat 18 July
A site-based foraging retreat focused on local edible plants, identification and practical food uses. The specialist session explores safe recognition, seasonal availability and responsible gathering around the WildEmber landscape. The day includes yoga, sauna and shared vegetarian lunch, with small group guidance throughout.
Wild Swimming Day Retreat - Sat 22 August - Ingrid Campbell
A wild swimming retreat centred on technique, safety and supported immersion, delivered with a strong wellbeing emphasis. The specialist session develops confidence and body awareness in open water, with sauna integrated for structured rewarming. Yoga, wellness tent sessions and shared vegetarian lunch complete the day.
Canoeing Day Retreat - Sat 12 September - David Girling
A canoeing retreat focused on skill development delivered within a guided journey on the water. The specialist session supports beginners while extending more experienced paddlers through technique and movement coaching. Yoga, sauna and shared vegetarian lunch are included onsite.
Yogi Oils Day Retreat - Sat 24 October - Katrino
A wellbeing-focused retreat exploring yogic and aromatic oil practices in relation to breath, rest and sensory awareness. The specialist session introduces practical ways oils can support personal ritual and regulation. The day includes yoga, sauna and shared vegetarian lunch onsite.
Wreath Making Day Retreat - Sat 12 December - Ewa of Tullicro Treasures
A guided winter craft retreat where each participant creates their own seasonal wreath using provided materials. The specialist session is fully supported and suitable for all experience levels. Yoga, wellness tent use, sauna and shared vegetarian lunch are all included as part of the day.
Our roots are in fire and water, but our branches are growing. We collaborate with yoga teachers, healers, practitioners, open water coaches, and fellow therapists to co-create day retreats, seasonal gatherings and somatic rituals. These are not just events - they are intentional, trauma-aware spaces where breath, movement, and stillness come together in service of your wellbeing.
Each collaboration extends our core promise:
Nature-based experiences that are professionally held, sensory-rich, and quietly transformative.
As we grow, this model will expand -not into volume, but into depth:
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More co-facilitated retreats with qualified professionals
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Gentle outdoor adventures that support embodied connection
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Accessible group ecotherapy and wild therapy spaces
Want to Collaborate?
We're building a growing circle of facilitators, therapists, guides and creatives who align with our ethos of wild but gentle, trauma-aware, and professionally held experiences.
If you’re a practitioner, landowner, or organisation interested in co-creating something rooted and real - get in touch. Let’s build something elemental!
“Saunassa mieli lepää ja keho virkistyy.”
In the sauna, the mind rests and the body rejuvenates. – Finnish proverb
