One-to-one Leadership Retreats

Ashdown Forest Retreat is a peaceful, purpose-built space in the heart of Ashdown Forest, created to give leaders time, headspace and a different environment for clearer thinking.

Designed for overwhelmed brains

Many retreats expect people to relax on command. That is not always realistic when your mind is busy, overwhelmed or neurodivergent.

Here, there is enough structure to help you settle without filling every moment. Extended coaching, walking with nature, guided reflection, simple food and optional treatments offer different ways into the work. You will not be left alone with a blank journal and told to find clarity.

The aim is to help your nervous system settle, allow new thinking to emerge and create the conditions for meaningful change.

Retreats can be booked as a standalone experience or as part of a longer coaching programme. Each one is led by Emma Thorp, Thorp Coaching Founder and Accredited Coach.

Location and duration

Location: In the heart of Ashdown Forest, East Sussex — approximately 90 minutes from central London
Duration: Two to seven nights, with day retreats available by arrangement

Download Retreat Brochure

“The retreat is set up to give you space to think and the tranquillity you need so you can reflect on how you feel and process the discussions that you may have. It really sets you up to be open for discussions, to think and process what you are experiencing and to best address how, why and if you need to change.”

- Chief Executive Officer

“Emma creates a personalised setting to stimulate the mind and the soul, to uncover critical elements that are frequently overlooked in the rush of business and to re-connect with the strengths and energy that will drive you towards your vision..”

- Chief Operations Officer

Place Shapes Thinking

Environment shapes how we think.

Movement, working side by side and connecting with the landscape can reduce the intensity of conversation, help the nervous system settle and allow different thoughts to emerge.

Nature is not simply an attractive backdrop to the work. It is part of the process.

The retreat space

Ashdown Forest Retreat is a peaceful, private and self-contained space in East Sussex, with direct access to the Ashdown Forest.

It includes:

  • a comfortable sleeping and living area;

  • a private bathroom;

  • a small, well-equipped kitchen;

  • a deck overlooking the garden and pond;

  • private parking and an electric vehicle charging point.

  • Access to our natural dipping pond

Everything has been designed to help you settle quickly and feel looked after without being overmanaged.

After the coaching finishes, the space is yours. You can walk, cook, write, rest, sit outside or do absolutely nothing for a while. Doing nothing is often surprisingly productive, although it has terrible branding.

How the retreat unfolds

A retreat is not simply a collection of coaching sessions and nice activities. I carefully shape the arc of your time here so you can gradually wind down, settle into the experience and make the most of the deeper work.

We begin gently, with time to arrive, orientate yourself and clarify what you need from the retreat. Rather than expecting you to switch off immediately, the early part of your stay gives your mind and nervous system time to adjust to a different pace.

An expert-led ecology walk offers a guided way into the landscape. Having something interesting to notice, learn about and connect with can help a busy brain become more present without being instructed to empty itself on command.

Coaching then becomes deeper and more focused as the retreat progresses. Sessions are balanced with time to walk, reflect, cook, rest, swim or dip in the pond, and allow what has emerged to settle.

A holistic treatment is often included later in the experience, supporting the body to release some of the tension it may have been carrying and creating further space for reflection.

Towards the end, we bring the different threads together. You will leave with clearer thinking, practical next steps and time to consider how you will carry the work back into your life and leadership.

The structure is carefully considered but never rigid. We follow your energy, your goals and what proves most useful once you are here.

Food and thoughtful details

Food is part of how the retreat is held.

Your stay can include seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and simple meals chosen around your preferences and dietary needs. Where possible, I use organic and biodynamic produce, alongside ethically sourced, sustainable meat from trusted local suppliers.

Everything is prepared so you have plenty of choice without having to spend energy planning, shopping or making endless decisions.

For many people, cooking becomes a quiet, grounding part of the experience: something practical and sensory to focus on between coaching sessions.

The approach is generous but unfussy: nourishing ingredients, simple guidance and enough flexibility for you to eat in a way that feels right while you are here.

The Space

Backyard garden with wooden deck, white house, pink flowering trees, rock-lined pond, and stone pathway.
Outdoor patio with wooden furniture, colorful cushions, potted plants, and an antique wagon wheel, attached to a white brick house with black window frames and a sliding glass door.
A backyard with a white house on a hill, a wooden deck, blooming pink and purple flowers, green grass, and trees with bare branches under a partly cloudy sky.
A backyard garden with a stone pathway leading up to a deck. The deck has wooden railings and a chiminea on it. Pink flowering bushes are on the left, and there are trees and a small white building in the background.
Sunrise at Thorp Coaching
A wooden balcony overlooking a lush green garden with a pond, trees, and a hedge. The balcony has a cushion with a bird and leaf print, a small potted plant, and a blue and green patterned rug.
Our Beautiful pond ideal for nature watching
A rustic outdoor scene featuring a weathered wooden wheel leaning against a white brick wall, a potted plant with green leaves nearby, and a partly visible cream-colored sofa with a yellow cushion in the foreground.
Bathroom sink with a marble countertop, gold faucet, two gold knobs, two amber bottles with black pump dispensers on a white tray, and a beige textured cup on the right side.
A rolled towel tied with a ribbon, a box of lavender-scented soap labeled 'English Lavender,' and a purple flower cutout on a white marble countertop.
A wooden bookshelf with metal frame holding books, a potted plant, a framed artwork, a table lamp, and a glass vase with dried flowers, beside a large abstract painting.
View of a cozy outdoor balcony with beige wooden furniture and colorful pillows, overlooking a garden with pink flowering bushes and a wooden fence.
A large green glass vase with eucalyptus branches on top of a small black electric fireplace surrounded by books and decorative items.
A wooden table next to a sliding glass door with a guest book, a pen, a tray of rocks, and a vase of pink tulips and purple hyacinths inside.
Decorative shelf with framed artwork, potted plant, dried flowers in brown vase, and small mushroom-shaped vase on a wall."
Open book displaying a black and white photo of a cottage with a person standing outside, labeled '5. The Cottage of Tinker Wright 1888', on a fluffy surface.
Wall-mounted shelves with books, potted plants, and decorative animal-shaped ceramic planters.
A wall with a black coat rack holding a mirror and a framed picture, a wooden shelf with three yellow candles, and a hanging green plant.
Close-up of a row of decorative pillows in various colors and patterns, including blue, yellow, zebra print, and cream, arranged on a sofa.
A book titled 'The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down' by Haemin Sunim on a wooden surface with a brown ceramic vase in the background.
A guest book on a wooden table next to a tray of decorative rocks, a glass jar with dried flowers, a small bowl of stones, and a vase with purple flowers.
Bathroom sink with marble countertop, gold faucet, two amber soap dispensers on a tray, a beige cup, and a stack of folded towels with a lavender-scented decoration.
Living room with green armchairs, a small wooden table, bookshelf with books, decorative items, and large sliding glass door showing an outdoor balcony.
A cozy living room with two blue armchairs, a yellow ottoman, a bookshelf, and artwork on the walls, viewed from a bedroom with a plush bed and striped curtains.
View through open black-framed glass doors into a cozy living space with a green armchair, yellow ottoman, small table with a flower vase, and kitchen in the background with shelves and cabinets.
Small kitchen with stainless steel appliances, black shelves with books and plants, framed botanical prints, a dining table with gold and black tableware, and cozy seating with plush throws.
Living room with two blue armchairs with white fuzzy throws, a small round white table with plants and tissues, and a wooden coffee table with a vase of pink and white tulips. In the background, a kitchenette with stainless steel cabinets, shelves wi
Cozy living room corner with a blue armchair, a side table with a potted plant, a bookshelf with books and decorative items, a framed landscape painting, and wall art with botanical prints.
A cozy living space with a sliding glass door leading to an outdoor deck, a grey armchair with a white throw blanket and a small round table with decorative items, and a bedroom with a bed featuring yellow pillows and framed wall art.
Small kitchen area with open white cabinets, a stainless steel microwave below the counter, a sink with cleaning supplies, black and gold wine glasses, and various kitchen appliances and decorations.
Wall-mounted dark wood shelves with black brackets holding books and decorative animal-shaped planters with green plants, next to a stainless steel refrigerator.
A cozy bedroom with a bed featuring yellow, blue patterned, and striped pillows, a fluffy beige blanket, a window with decorative framed artwork, a potted plant, and a wall mirror.
Bathroom sink with marble countertop, gold faucet, two amber soap dispensers, beige cup, and gray towels; mirror above and shower visible in reflection.
A window with a marbled curtain fabric above, a wooden shelf, a potted aloe vera plant, and two picture frames with illustrations of gnarled trees. There's a power socket and plug on the right side of the wall.
A cozy bedroom with a sliding glass door, mustard and striped curtains, a bed with yellow and floral pillows, a plush beige throw, wall-mounted lights, and decorative candles.
A cozy bedroom with a double bed covered in a cream-colored faux fur blanket, decorated with yellow and patterned pillows. There is a window with a wooden sill, holding plants and framed photos. Warm wall-mounted lights and a full-length mirror refle

Meet the Team

  • A woman with wavy black hair smiling at the camera, wearing a white blouse, indoors with a blurred background.

    Emma Thorp

    Executive Coach & Founder

    Emma is an Executive Coach, Leadership Facilitator, and Founder of Thorp Coaching and The Ashdown Forest Retreat. With a background in corporate leadership and executive coaching, she helps leaders, founders, and professionals navigate change, build confidence, and lead with authenticity.

    Her approach is shaped by real-world leadership experience, professional coaching training, and a deep connection to nature. As an EMCC Senior Practitioner Coach, Henley Business School-trained Executive Coach, and ICF Member, Emma brings evidence-based coaching methods together with embodiment work, trauma-informed leadership practices, and strengths-based coaching to create truly transformational experiences.

    After stepping away from a high-pressure corporate career, Emma realised the power of taking space to reflect, recalibrate, and lead with intention—a philosophy that led her to create the retreat. Set in the heart of the Ashdown Forest, this purpose-built retreat space offers leaders the chance to step away from daily pressures, reconnect with themselves, and move forward with clarity.

    Emma works with CEOs, founders, senior leaders, and board members, supporting them through career transitions, leadership challenges, and personal transformation. Whether through one-to-one coaching, immersive retreats, or leadership workshops, her work is about helping people break free from limiting patterns and lead with impact.

    "Stepping away isn’t stepping back—it’s creating space for the clarity, courage, and energy needed to move forward with purpose. That’s what Ashdown Forest Retreat is all about."

  • A smiling man with a beard and mustache wearing a brown beanie, gray hoodie, and black jacket taking a selfie outdoors near a body of water with trees and bushes in the background.

    Tom Forward

    Ecologist & Wildlife Guide

    Born on the edge of the Ashdown Forest, Tom spent his childhood exploring its woodlands, ghyll streams, bogs, and heaths, searching for deer, snakes, and birds of prey. The freedom to roam this special landscape sparked a lifelong passion for wildlife conservation and led him to a career as an ecologist and environmental educator.

    With a degree in Environmental Management and 20 years of experience, Tom has worked in diverse ecological roles, including at Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary in southern India, the Field Studies Council, Sussex Wildlife Trust, and Commonwork Trust. A true all-round naturalist, he brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to every visitor experience.

    Now living on the Ashdown Forest, Tom works as an independent ecologist and wildlife guide, leading experiences across Sussex, Surrey, and Kent, including at the Knepp Estate (renowned for its rewilding project), Royal Botanic Gardens Kew at Wakehurst, and Bore Place Organic Farm. He also co-produces the Ashdown Forest Podcast with audio producer Eka Morgan, celebrating the richness of this remarkable 10-square-mile landscape.

    "The Ashdown Forest hosts some fantastic wildlife, from rare plants and insects to secretive reptiles and elusive birds, all set against sweeping views over the High Weald and beyond. There’s nothing I enjoy more than helping visitors tune into the landscape—opening their eyes and ears to its beauty, leaving them with a deeper appreciation and a truly memorable experience."

  • Close-up of a woman with short dark hair, fair skin, wearing a black top and a silver necklace, smiling at the camera with a large leafy plant in the background.

    Janna Malinovska

    Holistic Therapist

    Janna is a qualified Aromatherapist, Reflexologist, Manual Lymphatic Drainage therapist, Myofascial Release therapist, and Pranic (Energy) Healing therapist. With a passion for natural healing and holistic well-being, she helps clients restore balance—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

    Her journey into holistic therapy was deeply personal. After struggling with anxiety, insomnia, and chronic sinusitis, she discovered the transformative power of essential oils and energy healing. This experience led her to dedicate her career to helping others take control of their well-being through therapeutic touch, breathwork, and natural remedies.

    Janna’s treatments are designed to reduce stress, support recovery, and enhance overall health. Whether you’re looking to release tension, improve circulation, or find deep relaxation, her tailored approach ensures that each session meets your unique needs.

    "True healing happens when we give ourselves permission to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with our bodies. My work is about creating that space for restoration and renewal."

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes. The retreat is designed for founders, executives and senior leaders who need space away from day-to-day pressure to think clearly. There is enough structure to help an overwhelmed brain settle without filling every moment.

  • Yes - especially so. The retreat is designed with overwhelmed and neurodivergent brains in mind. Each experience is individually shaped around your pace, need for structure, sensory preferences, communication style and the conditions you need to think well. Some clients are neurodivergent and some are not.

  • This is a working leadership retreat rather than a general wellness break. Extended executive coaching, guided reflection, working with nature and protected thinking time help you address something important and decide what comes next.

  • The retreat is in the heart of Ashdown Forest, East Sussex, approximately 90 minutes from central London. Retreats usually last between two and seven nights, with day retreats available by arrangement.

Looking for an accommodation-only stay?

Ashdown Forest Retreat can also be booked as self-catering accommodation through Airbnb.

An Airbnb booking is for the accommodation only and is separate from the bespoke coaching retreats offered by Thorp Coaching.

Ashdown Forest Retreat on AirBnB

Ready to Reset and Reconnect?

If you’re curious about how a Forest Revival retreat can help you step back, find clarity, and lead with renewed energy, I’d love to hear from you.

Whether you want to ask questions, explore dates, or discuss a bespoke retreat package, just reach out.

emma@thorpcoaching.com
Or use the contact form here — I’ll get back to you personally.