Industry professionals gather for transformational 1.5-day wellness experience as seasonal retreat series gains momentum
The Winter Retreat for Women in Events concluded this weekend at the stunning De Vere Horsley Estate, marking another success for co-founders Gabby Austen Browne and Lucy Eden and as retreat series continues to address critical wellbeing needs within the events industry.
Following the success of their inaugural Autumn Retreat in October 2025, the Winter Retreat expanded to a 1.5-day residential format, welcoming 13 events professionals to the grounds of the historic 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, whilst they enjoyed the intimate 1820 dining room for nourishing meals and exclusive use of the Towers Bar & Lounge for evening connection. The estate's 75 acres of pristine countryside provided the perfect backdrop for their winter walks and forest bathing, whilst luxurious accommodation in the Towers Mansion House allowed participants to fully immerse themselves in the experience with Surry Hills views.
“I 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 I’ve 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.”
Gema Rodriguez, Managing Director and retreat attendee , TFI Lodestar.
Whilst Tracey, a Wellbeing and Resilience Specialist said "The biggest and most profound shift for me was realising how far I’d 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 didn’t even realise I’d lost along the way.I’m leaving feeling grounded, empowered, and so grateful for the experience. I couldn’t recommend it enough.”
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 winter’s energy of stillness, reflection and introspection.
Day one included restorative yoga, a guided candle-lit meditation and sound bath, followed by a powerful fire ceremony and women’s 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 estate’s 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.
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, “This 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 women’s lived experiences, both inside and outside the events industry at the core, we create a space where meaningful change can happen. It’s about valuing women’s time, energy and investment, and recognising that when those are honoured, the industry evolves with them.”
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?
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: https://hello.dubsado.com/public/form/view/6980c3ae3f093749baded68b
