tHE cLEARING
A day retreat for leader's, looking to create space and reset.
WEDNESDAY 11TH NOVEMBER
GROUND AND ALIGN THIS WINTER!
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Join us at The Clearing - A day retreat for leader's. Space to brighten, lighten and enliven your leadership, inside and out!
Time for nourishment, and grounding as we head into winter.
A retreat day in nature, for leaders across Yorkshire and beyond
Date & Time
NEW WINTER DATE
WEDNESDAY 11TH NOVEMBER 2026
Location
Little Seed Field, Castiles Farm, Near Ripon, North Yorkshire HG4 3PU
A collaboration
JK McQuinn - Where the Mind Grows & Ali Carruthers-Illingworth Purple, Pebble, People with bonus sessions from Mandy at Calm Aura Healing.
About this day retreat
A space in the woods, and spaciousness for yourself.
The Clearing is a day retreat for leaders, managers and business owners. It's a place that understands that beyond your role is a wild and wonderful, creative, caring being, who might just be feeling a little stretched right now.
The Clearing is for leaders who realise that time for self is essential, not just a "nice to have" you occasionally dream about. But maybe, just maybe, you don't always manage to make that an ACTUAL thing for yourself and you are not alone in that.
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That 'comparison gremlin' might be convincing you everyone else has it all together, or your tired mind might be tricking you into believe that 'this is just how it is'.
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We created The Clearing to help leader's like you! A space to make space to celebrate, because saying yes to yourself is saying no to the system habits, and practices that keep us all on the wrong side of bustle and busy!
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Leading in these times is a wonderful whirlwind of exciting opportunities and complex challenges, alongside the desire to keep it all together when systems, departments and demands are "bumping heads," creating tensions that are regularly in flux.
As leaders ourselves, we also know that the connection between human you and professional you is not some neat little line that keeps those parts of us divided. The Clearing celebrates a holistic approach to leading in life and work, and helps you find ways to be more of your unique, interconnected self, more of the time without it costing so much in time, effort and emotional strain!
Whether you lead a team, a department, an organisation, or simply have to figure out the day-to-day of leading yourself. Leading taps into our intrinsic nature to evolve and grow, to be at our best, and to learn from the experiences we face.
But finding the time to nurture that growth when you're in the thick of the day-to-day? That can feel hard to come by. So that's why we created The Clearing.
Clear your calendar, put the to-do list on pause, and join us in the woods. For our wintering day retreat, we are making even more space for the wild parts, the divine parts, the creative parts, and the sometimes silly parts too. Space to explore inwards, calm your mind and relax your body. A chance to connect with other leaders with similar experiences. Activities to lift your spirits and leave you with hope, insight and connection to your purpose, re-igniting you as the great leader you are!
And if the busyness and constant change is stealing away that belief in yourself?
The Clearing makes space for leaders like you, too .So you can be confident that clearing time to be you is exactly the nourishment that can fuel your impact, or simply help you slow down.
A nurturing space to help you see yourself joyfully, and leave a little lighter by the end of the day.
Our next Clearing Day Retreat will embrace the seasonal timing of the event, with a gentle theme of wintering woven into our focus for the day.
The Day
The Clearing is a day long retreat to make space for you, knowing that the time for yourself, ripples far beyond the benefits of a day in the woods. Arrive in the morning, and back home for teatime.
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Held at the beautiful woods and wildscape of Little Seed Field on Wednesday 11th November, as we shift into winter energy and the seasons darker colder days, this is a great time to make space for pause, reflection and strategies for leadership and well-being that can adapt with the seasons of Nature, life and work. This immersive, nature-connected day retreat is created for leaders and business owners who are ready to find your breathe, explore together and re-discover the spark that great leadership grows from.
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The Clearing offers new perspectives and embraces powerful solutions, helping you connect with what is within you with support from the facilitated sessions. We're bringing winter energy into our exploration, to help you slow down and connect with ideas and approaches that help you ground and replenish through winter. We'll curiously explore that what needs nutrients, hibernation, letting go and stillness. And what can help you prepare for the seasons and cycles ahead. The Clearing celebrates your roles as 'leaders', and embraces your capacity to glimmer & shine. A little top up of that calming and cohesive energy, that helps you feel confident within yourself, when the world has felt too fast at your feet, between those responsibilities and challenges in life and work.
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​After settling in together and exploring the natural surroundings, you'll join JK and Ali - two experienced coaches and facilitators - for two expansive workshops throughout the day.
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Expanding Personal Insights - ​Space with Ali — Systemic Coaching & Constellations
​Ali is a systemic coach and constellations practitioner who works at the level where clarity clicks and deeper truths surface. Drawing on her constellations training, she supports leaders and teams to spot the unseen dynamics around them, unlock movement where things feel tight, and step forward with a fresh, energised sense of direction. Your session will Ali will help you constellate an issue or focus that is alive for you, drawing on the themes from the day. Learning about the approach and then experiencing it for yourself. ​
Igniting & Letting Go with the help of Nature - Space with JK: Being, leading & finding rhythm, the nature-inspired way
JK will guide you deep into the wintery woodland, where we will explore Nature's wisdom and insights to help you grow in confidence and clarity around your intentions from the day.
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The session will lead us into a fire circle, where gentle group exploration, will help us to let go, release and make peace with the things that have kept you busy, rushed or disconnected from yourself.
Moving you through a wild practice that supports you to ignite ideas and bring hope alive.
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JK is a Nature Led life, Career and Wellbeing coach and founder of Where the Mind Grows. Combining traditional coaching approaches and facilitation with nature inspired regenerative approaches. Learning from Nature not just in it. JK is a trauma informed coach, and works with individuals, teams and leaders looking to create changes in their life that enhance the health of both people and planet.
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Find Inner Peace and Space for the mind and body - Space with Mandy : Gong & Sound Bath for Relaxation
Before the end of the day you'll return to the barn where Mandy will help you settle and relax, as part of a sound bath to help restore and replenish you before the end of the day.
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Mandy is the founder of Calm Aura Healing in Ripon, North Yorkshire, offering intuitive healing, Reiki, sound healing, somatic therapy, crystal healing and wellbeing coaching. A two-time Muddy Stilettos winner for Best Wellbeing Specialist Yorkshire , she’s passionate about helping people slow down, reconnect with themselves, and heal, align and rejuvenate. Mandy holds you as you are, and guides you gently back to yourself.
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Between sessions, enjoy a nourishing plant-based lunch prepared by a local Yorkshire firm, with plenty of time to connect with your fellow retreat community and peers. And some peaceful pauses in the day, just for yourself too. The day closes with a reflective space together, to ground your insights and set intentions you can carry forward with confidence, leaving inspired and refreshed.
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Accommodation is not part of this retreat, but please note there is glamping accommodation available on site and we can support you with booking this with the venue if interested, for an additional fee payable to them.
Is this for you?
The Clearing is for you if:
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You're ready to lead from a fuller, more grounded place, to shift from coping to exploring ways to thrive.
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You want tending to your wellbeing to be part of your normal, and the way you lead yourself.
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You're longing for real connection with other leaders who understand the light and shade of the role
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You've got 'stuff' going on at work and in your personal life, that have been creating intensity in your life, without time to make much sense or slow the speed of life down.
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You love the idea of a day away in nature, guided, with nothing to organise but yourself
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A full retreat feels like too much right now, but a day feels possible.
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You lead a team, department, organisation or business, or simply recognise yourself as a leader in your own life
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What You'll Take Away
Time to acknowledge yourself, shift what's not working, and connect with other leaders on a human and open scale. We'll help you work through what matters most in your leadership and life right now, in a space that's light, creative and joyful. Create to be bold and try something new. Supporting and nurturing your development and wellbeing. You'll leave with a clearer sense of your own needs and strengths, real movement on something you're currently working through, and practical ways to keep supporting your wellbeing long after the day ends. Help us create a movement of leaders that value the impact of a Clearing. For life, mind and leadership. So being a busy martyr is no longer the reward and looking after yourself is the power and grit that makes you a great leader, not your own second thought!
Practical Information & Booking
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Arrival: Please arrive between 9:30–9:45am. The day begins promptly at 9:45am and will end for 16:30pm - we ask that you commit to the full day attendance to minimise the disruption for the group and ensure you can make the most of the experience. (refreshments are available from 09:15am)​
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Location: Little Seed Field, Castiles Farm, near Ripon, North Yorkshire HG3 4PU. Free parking on site. Limited public transport access.​
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What to wear: Sturdy shoes and layers for being outdoors. Indoor spaces are available throughout the day. Enough layers for the changeable weather and outdoor spaces. Hats and gloves are recommended at this time of year along with a weatherproof coat. ​
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What to bring: If you use a special notebook or journal for this type of space, please bring that. You may also like to bring a water bottle, and reusable mug though neither are essential as we have plenty. ​
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Extend your Experience and stay over: Little Seed Field is also a glamping site and can offer cosy cabins for those who would like to stay over the night before and/or after - subject to availability onsite. Overnight stay can be arranged at an additional cost through the venue directly. Please let them know you are attending The Clearing with Where the Mind Grows, when you send your enquiry. ​
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Food & drink: Refreshments available throughout. A delicious warm plant-based lunch is included.​
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Dietary, Learning & accessibility needs: Please include these on your registration form when you sign up.​
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After you book: You will receive confirmation via a receipt and we will send a follow up to welcome you. Before the event you will receive the formal event welcome email, which will include everything you need to know and prepare for, for the day. ​
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Booking Options : This year we have ticket options for solo attendees, two people (colleague, couple, friends, business partnership) coming together and a special offer for groups of five (aimed at colleagues/teams, networking professionals, friends or business/leadership partnerships) - Each option includes the retreat activities, resources and lunch/refreshments but does not include accommodation. ​
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Inclusivity and Diversity: These events are enriched by the diverse life experiences and cultures of the people who attend. This includes the diversity of 'leaders' this event is beneficial for and because of. There is no need to be a guru or expert, we'll begin from the human and work out! Everyone offers value in the group, no matter what type of leadership experience or journey you've had so far. The diversity of the group is just like a forest, enriching the soil! This event is suitable for women, men and non binary adults from a range of sectors.
SECURE YOUR PLACE AT tHE CLEARING
Book your place
Select your ticket option below. We'll follow up with a welcome email a few days after to confirm your place. Ticket includes retreat activities, lunch and refreshments as well as workshop resources.
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Solo Ticket
A solo ticket at the retreat, for one person. Includes retreat activities, lunch time meal and refreshments.
£289
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Come as a pair
Come along with a friend, colleague, business partner or event life partner.
This ticket includes all retreat activities and lunch/refreshments for two people. Save 11%
£542. 42 (257.21 per person)
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Group Ticket
Our 11.11 special group offering. Five people group booking, friends, networks, colleagues who know coming together can support the commitment for time and space.
£1111 (£222.20 per person)
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About the venue
Little Seed Field, will be our venue for The Clearing. A working farm, glamping & micro wedding site, owned by Joanne and Sean Nicholson. Back in 2023, Where the Mind Grows took up roots in the woods there. Leasing the woodland at the bottom of the land, and running one to one sessions, retreats and team days ever since. The farm is an ongoing rewilding project with beautiful ponds, wild meadows, fields & woodland.
Alongside our time in Nature, you'll have access to indoor spaces like the communal area and/or 'owl barn'. With toilet's onsite and free parking too. If you want to extend your day retreat experience.
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Extend your retreat experience with an overnight stay onsite
If you'd like to make The Clearing a more spacious break or 'workation' for yourself. You can stay over onsite in one of the glamping cabins all to yourself, for an additional cost arranged direct with the venue.
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A view of the glamping site
Time in the woods
Exploring by the pond
Inspired in the Owl barn
"Absolutely would recommend this event to anyone who spends their days juggling the busyness of life (so everyone?!) - it was the perfect way to step away from the doing of day to day, make some time to focus on me, my needs and the bigger picture, meet some fantastic people and leave feeling like I'd had a mini holiday."
B, Business Owner
F.A.Q's
I am new to leadership, will this be suitable for me?
Absolutely. In fact these will be a great opportunity for you to share your space with other leaders too. Leader's come with a vast range of experience, in and out of work. There is no need to be a guru or expert in leadership, we'll always start with the human being first!
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I am not sure if I'll be able to stay the whole day, can I still attend?
We do ask that you only sign up if you can commit to attending the full day. This minimises disruption in the group and days activities and ensures we can ground in and out of each activity together ensuring you can make the most of the experience. We'll invite all leaders attending to put on their out of office, and turn their phones to silent or away completely for the day!
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Is there a payment plan?
If breaking your payment down into instalments is helpful, we can discuss that with you, to help you access The Clearing day retreat.
All payments must be made a minimum of 10 working days before, or your place may be lost with no refund. To discuss this option email info@wherethemindgrows.co.uk with CLEARING PAYMENT PLAN REQUEST as your title.
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Is this a leadership retreat just for women?
Not at all, this event is open to anyone who recognises themselves as leader, business owner, or manager. The experience is enriched by the diversity of those who attend.
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What is your cancellation policy?
You will have a 48 hour cooling off period, on your purchase on or before Friday 14th August. There are no refunds offered on non-attendance. In the event we have to cancel the retreat, you will receive your money back or take as credit for another WTMG event.
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Where is it?
The Clearing will be delivered from Little Seed Field, Castiles Farm, HG4 3PU, North Yorkshire. It is a remote location with limited public transport, so access is usually by car or taxi. The nearest train stations are Harrogate & Leeds.
Upon signing up, you will receive a welcome email with further details and directions for the venue.
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What will I need to bring?
The event will cater for much of your needs throughout the day. Resources from all activities are included and a small welcome pack. Refreshments will be supplied throughout the day and you'll also have lunch catered for, by a lovely Yorkshire caterer. (Please ensure you share your dietary requirements on sign up). Please wear sturdy footwear suitable for being outdoors in Nature, and wear comfortable clothes and layers suitable for the forecast on the day. You may like to bring your journal or notebook. Whilst refreshment's are available we also recommend bringing a water bottle so you can stay hydrated throughout.
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I don't manage a team, is this event for me?
Yes, absolutely! You don't need to manage a team(s) to attend. You'll get the most from this space as a business owner or leader/project manager even if YOU are your own team! We already have business owners of small businesses and solopreneurs signed up.
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I would love to bring a colleague with me, is that ok?
Yes, absolutely! We even have an offer for people wanting to book for themselves and a colleague or business/leadership connection. When you purchase your ticket before 14th August 2026. Just consider if attending together would allow you to be yourself, and open to exploring during the day.
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This sounds amazing, but I live outside of Yorkshire and its a bit of travelling for the day. Is there somewhere I can stay near by?
Yes, Little Seed Field is actually a glamping sight too, and you can book a cabin on the Thursday and/or Friday before and after for an additional cost. Booked direct through the venue. Email them direct to let them know you will be at the Where the Mind Grows retreat and subject to availability they will support you with your booking.
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Can I come with someone else?
Sometimes convincing yourself that you can have the space can be tough. ​
Or perhaps you see this event and think, 'I know someone else who could do with this too'. For our November retreat we have created a range of ticket options that support you to come along with a friend/colleague/partner or attend as a group or collective you might know from networking, work, friendship or even your family business! We have options for solo, pair and a group of 5 to attend. Simply select the ticket you need and we'll welcome you after that! (Please note for group booking tickets we will contact the person booking to gather the group names and emails for our event email)
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Got a question, that isn't answered here?
Email: JK - info@wherethemindgrows.co.uk​
