A person lying down with eyes closed, wearing a pink knitted hat, being gently touched on the forehead by a hand. Text overlays read 'Rest in Medicine,' 'Earth and Bloom,' 'The Autumn Retreat,' and 'A restorative two-night seasonal sanctuary for doctors.'
A person holding a red autumn leaf with visible veins, standing on a ground covered with fallen leaves in various shades of yellow, brown, and green.
“What if we stop treating rest as a reward to earn and begin seeing rest as a gift to receive? ”
— Nicola Ann Hobbs

Friday 4th to Sunday 6th September 2026

Langcliffe Hall

Settle
North Yorkshire

Hosted by Dr Alison Smith of Earth & Bloom
and Charlotte Bell of NourishHQ

EMAIL TO BOOK
A large, historic brick mansion with multiple turrets and bay windows, surrounded by a green lawn with white wildflowers and tall trees at sunset.
“Afterwards I felt lighter, something happened during that day and some of the heaviness I had been carrying lifted. It was a true reminder of the power of nature; time; space; breathing and of human connection. Huge thanks to Alison for creating such a positive and life affirming day”
— HW
A person holding a notebook and writing with a black pen, with another person resting their hand on their wrist, both appearing to be in a relaxed setting.

THE IMPORTANCE OF REST IN MEDICINE

Just like earth and flowers, humans need seasons, too. Seasons to rest and be, seasons to bloom, seasons to thrive and seasons to slow down and let go. 

Unlike earth or nature, medicine can be relentless and exacting. It carries profound responsibility, complexity and sustained pressure. It asks for continued presence, clinical judgement and emotional steadiness, often without protected time for rest or reflection. What should be recognised as essential to professional longevity has, for many doctors, come to feel like an indulgence, a luxury.


Offering both rest and luxury, Rest in Medicine Autumn, is a new kind of retreat, designed by a doctor, for doctors as a way for you to step out of the clinical environment and explore the challenges and importance of embracing rest in our lives. Taking place at the start of autumn, that threshold moment, when the natural world exhales after the fullness of summer, and begins, slowly, to turn inward. Blackberries darkening on the bramble, the evenings cooling, the light turning golden and low. The harvest gathered, the season turning. And we feel, perhaps without quite knowing why, the same pull toward stillness and letting go.

This is an intentional space to step away from the clinical environment and all it asks of you. To put down the weight of daily responsibility. To turn your gaze inward, and ask, with curiosity and without judgement, what it is you might need to sustain yourself and the life you are living in medicine.

A weekend that holds, at its heart, the belief that you deserve to be well cared for, in a place that is beautiful, nourishing, and unhurried.

A decorated dining table with a white tablecloth, woven placemats, cloth napkins, and clear glasses. The table features floral centerpieces with pink, purple, and green flowers, and candle holders with lit candles. In the background, there is a bookshelf filled with old books and a collection of blue and white porcelain plates and vases on top of it. Portrait paintings hang on the tan-colored wall behind the shelf.
A decorated dining table with a white tablecloth, woven placemats, cloth napkins, and clear glasses. The table features floral centerpieces with pink, purple, and green flowers, and candle holders with lit candles. In the background, there is a bookshelf filled with old books and a collection of blue and white porcelain plates and vases on top of it. Portrait paintings hang on the tan-colored wall behind the shelf.
A historic stone mansion with ivy-covered walls, set in a landscaped garden with blooming flowers and a large terracotta pot in the foreground.
A historic stone mansion with ivy-covered walls, set in a landscaped garden with blooming flowers and a large terracotta pot in the foreground.
A young woman with long dark hair and a braid, wearing a black shirt and a patterned skirt, is lighting a candle on a wooden dining table decorated with red flowers, potted green plants, and several glasses filled with red liquid. The table is near a window with beige curtains, and there is a large potted plant with broad green leaves in front of the window in a cozy, wood-paneled room.
Three jars filled with fresh herbs and flowers, each with handwritten labels, on a rustic wooden tray.

WHY REST IN MEDICINE?

An alternative to many of the mainstream wellbeing initiatives that often struggle to meet the reality and complexity of medical work. Rest in Medicine has been thoughtfully designed as an invitation to explore the many dimensions of rest and our relationship with it. It recognises that rest is not a single act but a layered experience, and that for doctors in particular it can be complex, unfamiliar, or even challenging to access.

The retreat offers a structured yet spacious environment in which different forms of rest can be experienced and understood physical, mental, emotional and creative, alongside thoughtful consideration of the professional and cultural barriers that often make rest difficult within medicine.

Through guided practice and reflection, writing, conversation, gentle movement and time outdoors in the most beautiful grounds and landscapes, you’ll be invited to open up a deeper conversation with rest, work and what it all means to you. Or you may choose to arrive and simply be, enjoy the garden, explore the extensive grounds and stunning local landscape, to sleep in your own beautiful bedroom or relax in the many outdoor spaces and reading nooks. 

Knowing that you will be held with care and professionalism, free to engage fully or to step back as needed. There is no expectation to perform or participate. The structure is there to support you, not to demand from you.

Held over the first weekend in September in a carefully-chosen setting in North Yorkshire by Dr Alison Smith, an experienced doctor, coach and facilitator with more than twenty years in clinical practice, Rest in Medicine is a small-group, slow-paced experience with room for quiet thinking, shared dialogue and deep experience, grounded in professionalism, discretion and care.

Places are intentionally limited.

If this feels like what you need right now, you are welcome to reserve your place and step into the weekend with us.

A bed with a beige quilt and two decorative pillows featuring floral embroidery. The bedroom has a wall with red toile wallpaper depicting historical scenes and a framed picture of a girl in a yellow outfit hanging above the bed. Two lamps reflected in the picture cast light onto the wall.
EMAIL TO BOOK
A girl standing in a grassy field holding a large bouquet of white flowers, with trees and hills in the background on a cloudy day.

THE INVITATION TO REST IN MEDICINE

A large, old stone mansion with multiple chimneys and illuminated windows, surrounded by a lush garden at dusk.

Located in a historic house surrounded by walled gardens, wildflowers and woodlands in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, Rest in Medicine is an invitation to step away from your clinical practice and daily life to find ways to slow down and explore what you need to help sustain yourself and your work.

Facilitated and held by Dr. Alison Smith and Charlotte Bell from NourishHQ, an experienced yoga and prānāyāma practitioner, āyurvedic healer and herbalist, the gently structured weekend balances space and time to breathe and be with an array of optional activities, allowing you to choose the depth of engagement that feels right for you.

Designed to sit alongside nature, the seasons and the ever changing Yorkshire weather, the retreat includes yoga nidra and breathwork sessions, nourishing meals made with home-grown organic produce, a herbal tea bar, waterfall walks and swims, and plenty of time for long soaks in deep bathtubs, befriending the local animals, gathering and arranging flowers, reading and exploring the beautiful walled gardens.

Offering space for a gentle exploration of the deeper meaning of rest, Rest in Medicine includes daily opening and closing circles and reflective journaling prompts as a way to connect, share, and to bring clarity and nuance to the idea of rest, particularly within the culture and demands of medicine.

A woman smiling, standing near a window with dark wood paneling featuring a pattern resembling tree rings, wearing a floral jacket over a white shirt, blue jeans, and jewelry.

Facilitated by Alison, these spaces are grounded in lived practice, conscious dialogue and coaching principles that respect and honour your autonomy and professional identity.

Rest in Medicine has been shaped with a clear understanding of the pressures and responsibilities that accompany a medical career.

It has been designed as the retreat Alison longed for during her own years in practice: a space that is professionally held, psychologically aware, and genuinely restorative. Every element reflects both her experience as a doctor and her commitment to creating something that feels credible, spacious and deeply supportive for those working in the profession.

Stone house with arched doorway, surrounded by greenery including white and purple flowering plants.
Sunset over rolling hills viewed through trees
A large, dark stone mansion with multiple towers and glowing windows, surrounded by lush greenery and a garden, under a purple evening sky.
Sunset or sunrise over a hillside with trees in the foreground and a clear blue sky.
Two feet wearing colorful patterned socks and brown sandals standing on a wooden floor.

“So often, the approach to wellbeing for doctors is impersonal, clinical and resilience-focused. Alison’s is refreshingly personal, holistic and built on empathy and empowerment. She listens deeply and has an almost alchemical way of helping you work through complex feelings to develop a far greater understanding of yourself. She is endlessly supportive and encouraging as you identify and work through specific issues and develop new strategies to deal with them. She always makes a point of acknowledging the progress you are making and the courage it takes to do that. Her kindness, humanity and emotional intelligence are evident in everything she does.”

- NM Resident Doctor

Close-up of ripe blackberries and red berries on the bush with green leaves in the background.

WHO IS REST IN MEDICINE FOR?

Rest in Medicine is open to medical doctors from all specialities and career stages.

It’s designed for those who want protected time to reflect, reconnect with themselves, the natural world and their work on a deeper level, gain greater insights into the value and importance of rest and explore how to sustain themselves and those they lead.

It’s particularly suited to clinicians seeking deep rest, questioning why they may struggle to rest and switch off, feeling the weight of responsibility at all times and unable to find a balance between rest and needing to be hyper-alert and aware, especially when in work or on call.

Over the course of the weekend, you’ll have the chance to learn tried-and-tested tools and techniques for regulating stress, maintaining emotional balance, restoring self-trust and negating overwhelm, along with insights into how nature and creativity can help support sustainable practice.

EMAIL TO BOOK
A vintage wooden bookshelf with twisted wood columns, filled with old books. In front, a wooden sideboard displays a flower vase with white blossoms and a framed black-and-white family photograph.
A vintage bathroom with a white clawfoot bathtub and a separate white sink. There are framed pictures on the pale pink walls, heavy patterned curtains on the window, and antique-style furniture.
A bedroom with dark wooden paneled walls, an ornate four-poster bed with white bedding and floral bed skirt, two red lamps, a small rug, and vintage chairs near a chimney fireplace.
A cozy living room with antique furniture, including a beige sofa with colorful pillows, an upholstered chaise lounge, and a wooden armchair. Large windows let in natural light, and framed artwork decorates the mint green walls. There are lamps, a grandfather clock, and various decorative items, creating a warm, traditional atmosphere.

THE REST IN MEDICINE SEASONAL SANCTUARY

Surrounded by dramatic hills, ancient forests and medicinal gardens, our chosen venue, Langcliffe Hall, is an integral and unique part of the rest and the medicine of this autumn escape.

The epitome of lived-in-luxury, Langcliffe Hall has been in Charlotte’s family for more than 400 years. Nestled in the Yorkshire Dales, this cosy, character-filled manor is filled with oak-panelled drawing rooms, wood-burning stoves, and luxurious bedrooms full of history and old-world charm, with deep, claw-footed bath tubs, four-poster beds, and tucked-away reading nooks that look out over the walled gardens, wildflower meadows, and woodlands.

Throughout our stay, you’ll also be free to wander the grounds, where you’ll find meandering pathways frequented by donkeys, horses, and geese, gardens filled with trailing roses, seasonal flowers, organic vegetables, medicinal herbs, and a spring-fed tank, where you can take an exhilarating dip. There will also be the option for a walk to a nearby waterfall and the chance to go wild swimming.

Close-up of a person holding a vintage book titled 'Flowers' with a floral illustration on the cover, wearing a striped shirt and a brown jacket.
Close-up of pink double flowers with green leaves, with a blurred candle in the background.
Close-up of pink double flowers with green leaves, with a blurred candle in the background.
A decorated dining table set with plates, glasses, silverware, and floral centerpieces, in a room with portraits, a bookshelf, decorative plates, and a side table with a lamp.
A decorated dining table set with plates, glasses, silverware, and floral centerpieces, in a room with portraits, a bookshelf, decorative plates, and a side table with a lamp.
Group of women walking on a dirt trail in a hilly landscape with mountains and a partly cloudy sky in the background.
Group of women walking on a dirt trail in a hilly landscape with mountains and a partly cloudy sky in the background.
Decorative pillows with floral embroidery, a wall tapestry with a pastoral scene and figures, and gift packages with the name 'Rachel' on cards.
Decorative pillows with floral embroidery, a wall tapestry with a pastoral scene and figures, and gift packages with the name 'Rachel' on cards.
A room set up for a yoga or meditation session with a dark green mat on the floor, surrounded by small candles, a large white candle in the center, and green plants. In the background, there are shelves with folded blankets and other items, a hanging scroll with a landscape painting, and a beige carpet.
A room set up for a yoga or meditation session with a dark green mat on the floor, surrounded by small candles, a large white candle in the center, and green plants. In the background, there are shelves with folded blankets and other items, a hanging scroll with a landscape painting, and a beige carpet.

PUTTING REST IN MEDICINE INTO PRACTICE

Circle Gathering

A gentle, welcoming space for connection, quiet reflection and grounding at the beginning and end of each day.

Meditation, Breathwork, Yoga Nidra & Somatic Movement

Slow, intentional practices designed to help soothe your nervous system, reduce anxiety and promote a sense of calm.

Restorative Sound Bath

An opportunity to experience how sound can help us access and unlock deep rest.

Reflective Questions, Journalling & Poetry

Thoughtful seasonal prompts, passages and gentle invitations to encourage insight and self-discovery.

Nourishing Meals & Snacks

Enjoy nutritious, delicious meals, snacks, and botanical refreshments, including Charlotte’s special herbal tea and tincture bar.

Walks & Wild Swimming

Take a refreshing dip or a cold plunge in the spring-fed sunken tank, or join us on a guided walk to the local waterfall, where you’ll have the option to go wild swimming.

Space and Time to Just Be

EMAIL TO BOOK
A row of white coffee mugs with blue rims on a table. In the background, there are green plants and potted herbs.
A stone wall with green plants and purple and white flowers growing along the top and bottom, adjacent to a gravel pathway and surrounded by trees.
A vibrant garden with various flowers and green bushes, a tall pine tree, a hedge, and hills in the background under a clear blue sky.
A scenic view of rolling hills and valleys at sunset, with some rocky terrain and dry stone walls.
A lush garden with green plants, a stone building with a small door, and blooming flowers, surrounded by tall trees and greenery.

THE DETAILS OF REST IN MEDICINE

Rest in Medicine is a relaxing rest-focussed retreat designed specifically for doctors. Taking place at the start of autumn at Langcliffe Hall in North Yorkshire, your two-night stay includes accommodation, activities, and all meals on-site.

Meals are made on-site using locally sourced organic produce, much of it from Langcliffe Hall’s vegetable gardens. Dietary requirements can be catered to with plenty of advance notice; however, very specific dietary issues may incur an extra fee.

Community garden with raised wooden beds containing various vegetables and flowers, surrounded by trees and a cloudy sky.

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS AT LANGCLIFFE HALL

There are eight rooms available at Langcliffe Hall, including two with en-suite bathrooms available for double/twin share, and six available on a single occupancy basis with shared bathrooms (either between two or three rooms).

Rooms are first-come, first-served and require a £200 non-refundable deposit to secure. Please let us know your preference when making your booking.

Please note: there are no showers in the house, but each bathroom has a large bathtub, and there will be plenty of time for relaxing baths throughout the weekend.

EMAIL TO BOOK
A bedroom with a four-poster canopy bed with green drapes, a beige sofa, a fireplace with decorative items, and framed paintings on the wall.

MASTER SUITE
Emperor-sized four-poster bed with a dressing room and private bathroom.
£645 single occupancy OR £465 pp shared

A cozy vintage bedroom with a bed, nightstands, a dresser, and framed botanical prints on patterned wallpaper. Sunlight streams through a large window covered with floral curtains.

FLOWER ROOM
King-sized double room. Shares a large bathroom with the Oak Room.
Single occupancy £545

A spacious bedroom with a large bed covered in a cream quilt, decorative pillows, and folded towels. There are three windows with cream curtains, antique furniture including a wooden dresser with a mirror, a wardrobe, and a powder blue chair. The room features vintage wallpaper with a red and cream toile pattern, a pink area rug, and soft lighting from table lamps.

TOILE ROOM
King-sized double room. Shares a large bathroom with the Library Room.
Single occupancy £545

A cozy bedroom with a large bed covered in a cream quilt, a bookshelf behind the bed, artwork on the wall, a window with curtains, and a red patterned rug on the floor.

LIBRARY ROOM
Super king-sized double bed. Shares a large bathroom with the Toile Room. Single occupancy £545

A cozy bedroom featuring dark wood paneled walls, a large four-poster bed with white bedding and a red floral bed skirt, two lamps on bedside tables, two patterned upholstered chairs, a small red and beige area rug, and a window with light-colored curtains letting in natural light.

OAK ROOM
Small double four-poster bed. Shares a large bathroom with the Flower Room.
Single occupancy £545

A cozy bedroom with a large bed covered in a pink quilt and floral pillows. There are two wall-mounted lamps, a mirror over the fireplace, and a window with floral curtains showing trees outside.

BLUE ROOM
Smaller double bedroom. Large shared bathroom with the Princess Room and one other.
Single occupancy £515

An old brick mansion with large windows, surrounded by a grassy lawn with white flowers and trees, under a dramatic sunset sky.
A cozy bedroom corner featuring a bed with a white quilt, a decorative pillow with a pink floral pattern, a beige gingham curtain and valance, a wooden bedside table with a white tablecloth, a yellow lamp, and a small dark bottle on top, set against wallpaper with a white floral pattern.

PRINCESS ROOM
Single four-poster bed. Large shared bathroom with Blue Room and one other.
Single occupancy £515

A cozy, vintage-style bedroom with two beds, framed botanical art on the wall, a fireplace, and various decorative items including lamps, framed photos, books, and antique furniture.

CARA'S ROOM
Large twin bedroom with an ensuite bathroom.
£645 Single occupancy or £465 pp shared

EMAIL TO BOOK

ABOUT DR ALISON SMITH

A woman with short brown hair, wearing a floral blazer and jewelry, is sitting at a wooden table, smiling as she looks at her smartphone, with an open notebook in front of her.

Dr Alison Smith runs Earth & Bloom, a facilitation and coaching practice focused on supporting doctors sustain wellbeing, compassion and creativity within the realities of modern medicine.

With over twenty years’ experience in clinical practice, Alison now works exclusively as a coach and facilitator for doctors. Her work is grounded in the belief that sustainable medicine begins with doctors who feel resourced, valued and whole.

Alison holds an ILM Level 5 qualification in Coaching and Mentoring and is a certified Time to Think coach and experienced facilitator - with an approach centred on psychological safety, quality of attention and reflective depth.

Since 2018, she has contributed to several national and regional coaching programmes across England and Wales, including NHS England’s Coaching Scheme, LMC Wellbeing Schemes, and the Trailblazer GP Initiative.

Through Earth & Bloom, Alison creates reflective spaces that blend professional integrity with nature connection and creative exploration. She works with doctors as peers, with equality, respect and understanding, supporting them to think clearly, reconnect with purpose, and rediscover how to flourish in their work and lives.

A painting of a person riding a horse hangs above a bookshelf filled with multicolored books against a green wall.
Learn more about Alison
EMAIL TO BOOK