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About Us
Maes Y Bryn Retreat is set in 10 acres of hill meadow & newly-planted woodland, nestled on the very edge of Brechfa forest, in beautiful west Wales...
Maes Y Bryn has been co-created by the Hedges family over the last 20 years.
Originally a conventionally farmed field, it was bought with permission to build a home. Our family; Stephen & Anita, Lindsey, Jennifer, Daniel & Karis, lived in caravans for 8 years on the land while our home was developed. From a blank canvas 20 years ago, to what Maes Y Bryn Retreat has become today, is testament to a shared desire to create a family home within productive gardens, allowing nature to thrive fully alongside us. Within this peaceful setting are specially created spaces like "The Hub" which is a fully-equipped space containing toilet, shower & kitchen area where we hold our retreat days & workshops. We also have a beautiful wooden cabin called "The Summer House", a cosy off-grid space within the heart of the garden, available for a peaceful summer glamping experience.
Within the main house we have the "Buttercup Suite" - a spacious double room with a private en-suite, with its own entrance; perfect accommodation for those who wish to stay with us on retreat.
All intended to be enjoyed by those who want to retreat from the fast pace of our Western lifestyles, to recharge, reconnect with Nature & leave feeling nurtured in mind, body & spirit.
We also offer a variety of events throughout the year, centered around reconnection to ourselves & nature, plus 1-1 Retreat Days & weekends for individuals, couples or small groups.
Nine acres of the land has been allowed to return to its wild roots & over the years (with help from lot's of wonderful people!) has been planted with at least 1500 native trees.
It is a joy to watch as our little hill slowly transforms into the woodland it will one day become & to observe the return of many species of wildlife & plant life, including the beautiful wildflowers that grow in our meadow. It really is a nature-lovers paradise & we are very happy to be able to share the Magic of this place with others!
Tree planting at Maes Y Bryn
We are passionate about living with nature as harmoniously as possible & this reflects in our abundant vegetable garden.
The garden produces delicious, organically grown fruit & vegetables using no-dig principles & never with chemicals, working alongside nature rather than against it. We aim to use as much seasonal produce grown here on the land as possible on our event days & on our retreats.
Meet the Team!
Find out a little more about the people behind Maes Y Bryn Retreat - mother & daughter team Anita, Jennifer & Karis!
Anita
Anita has a deep love of nature, something which she attributes to her developing years being spent in the wilds of Africa. Originally from Zimbabwe, she spent much of her childhood immersed in the wild places of this beautiful continent. She feels strongly that this wild & relatively free upbringing, laid a very strong foundation within her that only being out in Nature will satisfy. Her dream of re-wilding the undeveloped areas of the land at Maes Y Bryn, has literally "taken root" within the last 4 years.
Anita has always wanted to share the peace & magic of Maes Y Bryn with others & is delighted that yet another one of her dreams is being realised. She practises walking & nature meditations most days & has introduced many mindfulness practises into her every day routines.
With a warm heart, Anita is always ready to welcome others to share in her daily practises & to immerse themselves in the healing surrounds of Maes Y Bryn Retreat.
"I am one of life's optimists & I believe that if we are at peace & harmony within ourselves, this will create peace & harmony in the world around us. The world that I wish to be a part of & leave for future generations, is a world where all are equal & live in harmony with all life. While I walk this Earth, that is the intention that I will weave with every step."
Anita takes care of the day to day running of Maes Y Bryn & writes her own nature meditations & workshops which she offers on our retreats.
Jennifer
Jennifer has always had an interest in alternative healing, nutrition & foraging since she started to explore natural medicine at the age of 13.
She loves to forage wild plants, grow medicinal herbs & help encourage others to do the same. ''There is a deep connection that I feel when I am out in nature & gathering, it makes me feel more balanced & in tune with myself & the natural rhythms''.
Her interests in healing led to her training in Tibetan Usui Reiki & Crystal & Vibrational Healing with The School of White Crystal Healing, learning to work with energy balancing practises, crystal grids, sound & colour healing frequencies. In more recent years she has deepened her plant practises with a year long apprenticeship in Natural Herbalism.
Jennifer helps to run various workshops here at Maes Y Bryn as well as offering one on one healing sessions.
Karis
Karis has a great love for nature & is happiest when outdoors - either swimming in the sea, walking the beautiful Welsh hills or with her hands in the soil here at Maes Y Bryn!
She loves all things permaculture & no-dig & looks after the gardens here, growing vegetables & flowers. "I find gardening a very therapeutic & healing tool & I can spend hours outside tending to the garden. It literally grounds me & connects me to the seasons & nature. It is so rewarding too, when all the hard work pays off & you get to harvest delicious food that you've grown yourself. I love it!"
Every year she squeezes in yet more growing space & tries to grow as much beautiful, fresh, chemical-free produce as possible to use on our retreats. Karis prepares the food for our retreat days & weekends, & loves creating plant-based meals for our guests that are vibrant, nourishing & made with love!
Aside from her love of cooking & gardening, she is an avid photographer & can often be found wandering the wild places of Wales with her camera in hand, photographing the beautiful landscapes & wildlife, which we're lucky enough to be surrounded by in this magical part of the world.
