Frequently Asked Questions

Use the ‘Book Your Retreat’ button on our website. Enter your dates to check availability and follow the prompts through to payment.

Two nights.

The introductory price for the first half of 2026 is £135 per night.

Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for full details of our cancellation policy. We recommend you take out appropriate travel insurance to cover any unforeseen circumstances.

Gillingham, Dorset (not Gillingham, Kent) is the nearest station.

Yes, there is a southwest service called Berrys Coaches which runs directly from Hammersmith to Wincanton and takes approximately two and a quarter hours. Please note you will need to arrange a taxi in advance, as there is no taxi rank where the bus stops in Wincanton.

Please check the website for up-to-date timetables: Visit Berrys Coaches website

By taxi. Details of local taxi firms can be found on the Contact page and will be sent with your booking confirmation.

Usually not – we highly reccommend booking a taxi before you set off as Uber doesn’t cover the area well and local taxis generally need pre-booking.

Yes, free parking is available at Rose Cottage. Please note the following:
• Park on the right-hand side of the car port only
• Do not leave any part of your car extending outside the car port, as this prevents the owner from reversing out of the left-hand side
• Do not park in front of the cottage front door or anywhere else on the driveway
• On clinic days (Monday to Thursday), visiting clients may occasionally block your car. If you know you need to go out on these days, please move your car to the space outside the church, next to the village hall, as it is not possible to disturb a treatment once it is underway

Yes, you have your own private entrance.

From the driveway, turn right out onto the lane (taking care to check for traffic), then turn immediately right through the black gate under the Yew arch. The door to your room is immediately on your right – look for the ‘The Retreat’ sign at the top right of the door. The key box is below the sign. Access details will be sent to you 24 hours before arrival.

Yes, the shower room is ensuite.

There is a small, newly fitted kitchenette suitable for preparing simple meals, equipped with a two-ring ceramic hob, full-sized fridge, multi-functional oven, toaster, crockery, utensils, and pots and pans.

Yes, fresh bed linen and towels are provided for your stay. If you would like additional towels, please just ask your host.

No TV is provided – your stay is an invitation to switch off and enjoy a digital detox. We recommend downloading any films, music, podcasts or reading material before you arrive.

Yes, though being an old stone cottage in a rural location, the signal can be patchy at times. In practice it handles calls, emails and messages well, but we recommend downloading anything you need before you arrive to avoid frustration with slow streaming.

Yes, heating and hot water are included in your stay. In cooler months, the central heating comes on twice daily on a timer, with thermostatic radiators throughout so you can adjust the temperature to your preference. The bathroom towel rail is heated for added comfort. Should you need extra warmth, there is also an oil-filled radiator and a wood burner available. One basket of logs is provided complimentary. Additional logs can be purchased locally from a number of outlets. If you are travelling by train and would like logs arranged in advance, please text your host and we will be happy to help – there will be a small additional charge for this service.

A section of garden near the entrance to your Retreat room is available for you to use. This includes use of a bistro table and chairs. There is a sign in the ground indicating where the private garden area is located. Please respect the owner’s privacy beyond this area.

Yes, there is a paddock on the right-hand side of the cottage as you face the drive. You are welcome to spend time there, providing there are no horses grazing – which depends on the time of year.

The woods can be accessed by turning either left or right out of the drive. Please ensure you are confident navigating using GPS or an app such as AllTrails or Ordnance Survey. Routes and maps will be available in your Retreat. If you would like to book a guided walk with your host, please get in touch with plenty of notice – there will be a charge for this service.

Pen Selwood is located close to many wonderful market towns and attractions. Please visit the Around Us page for our curated list of reccomendations should you wish to venture outside of Pen Selwood during your stay. 

Check-in is from 3pm and check-out is by 10am. If you need a different arrangement, please get in touch and we will do our best to accommodate you.

We suggest comfortable clothes for walking and relaxing, wet weather gear, walking boots or wellingtons, books, personal toiletries, and food and drink for your stay. A list of local shops and supermarkets will be provided in your welcome pack. We also recommend downloading any music, podcasts or reading material before you arrive, given the patchy WiFi.

We ask that guests are mindful of the peaceful nature of the setting and keep noise to a reasonable level, particularly after 10pm. This is a place of rest and healing – for you and for those around you.

For fire safety reasons, candles are not permitted.

No. There is a strict no smoking and no vaping policy both inside the cottage and in the grounds.

Please send a text message to 07702 681264 between 11am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

We ask that you do not come to the front door of the main cottage.

In the case of a genuine emergency, please do call.

No – Pen Selwood Retreats is designed as a solo retreat for adults. We hope you’ll enjoy the peace and quiet and having the space entirely to yourself!

No – Pen Selwood Retreats is designed exclusively for solo adult guests.

We’re sorry, but pets are not permitted at the Retreat.

Yes, and we will do all we can to accommodate your request. Text your host to check availability; payment can be taken by card or cash after your appointment. To avoid disappointment, we strongly recommend booking your treatments at the same time as booking your Retreat stay.

Yes, providing you give adequate notice — we prefer 48 hours where possible. Please note clinic hours are usually 11am to 4pm most weekdays, and 11am only on Saturdays.

You can walk around to the front door of the main cottage, or your host will open the connecting door between your living room and the treatment room at the appointed time.

No preparation is needed. You will remain fully clothed throughout, so we recommend wearing comfortable, loose clothing – ideally not tight jeans.

Rose Cottage is a 200-year-old listed stone building and unfortunately does not have full disabled access. If you have specific mobility requirements, please contact us before booking so we can discuss whether the Retreat is right for you.

Rose Cottage is a living, working cottage. The clinic is open for visiting clients on Monday afternoons, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Gardeners and other tradespeople may also visit from time to time. We appreciate your understanding and hope this adds to the authentic, peaceful character of your stay.