Retreat and Recharge at Fells Meadows

Retreat and Recharge at Fells Meadows

By Heather Starke   

The name is inspired by the peaceful, moor-covered hills on the Isle of Man. But for those of us in Ontario, Fells Meadows delivers a nice slice of serenity close to home.

Here, you can meander thoughtfully through a labyrinth, bathe in the healing vapours from an enchanting forest, or practice yoga in a yurt. You can have a dream work or mindfulness workshop created specifically for you. Or, you can choose to retreat on your own and do nothing at all.

Diverse Habitats for Healing

Nature with all of its ecological wonderment is at the very root of wellness at Fells Meadows – at this rambling 100-acre (40 ha) retreat near Castleton, 10 minutes north of Colborne, in Northumberland County.

The owner, Leslie Fell, is a former occupational therapist, health care manager and consultant. She left the formal world of rehabilitation and administration to study and practice mindfulness and Indigenous practices as a way of stress release and healing. In her studies, she has worked with various medicine elders around the world. When she first found the property, Leslie knew it was outstanding. Leslie later had various Indigenous medicine elders do several walk-abouts with her. From that, she notes, “I was told that one of the gifts of this property is the numerous diverse ecosystems and the plant medicines which are present, some which are considered like 'gold' and are rare.” 

The diverse ecosystems at Fells Meadows range from the young whispering pine forest, to the meadow with wildflowers planted to support bees and butterflies, to the protected wetlands. Leslie has mapped and prioritized items on the property’s permaculture master plan. Plans include planting more gardens to add cover crop to regenerate the soil and support the pollinators.

And with what is there now, there is lots to discover. The many forested areas on the property continue to fascinate Leslie. She has been researching and connecting with other experts on the practice of forest bathing. “Forest bathing refers to being bathed by the vapours of the trees,” says Leslie. “It doesn't involve being bathed by water.” It’s a growing and well-documented area of therapy, and just another way in which she continues to develop Fells Meadows as a place for mind, body and soul.

Visits to Fells Meadows can be obtained as a day pass, booked in advance with Leslie. But one of the most popular choices is doing a fully-immersive stay in the farmhouse – or in one of the small, rustic cabins on the property.

A Six-Bedroom Farmhouse plus a Yurt

Leslie offers spacious accommodations for groups in the 1860s renovated farm house. The six bedrooms include one located on the main floor. A large country kitchen, dining area with an inviting harvest table, and living area with woodstove and fireplace are part of that space. Bring along a bike. It can be stored in the workshop barn. 

Whether Fells Meadows is a unique escape arranged by a co-worker, or family-time spent in nature, practicality most definitely comes into the picture. The suggested packing list on Leslie’s website reads like the kind you’d hope to receive when prepping for camp: waterproof boots comfortable to explore the numerous trails, journal and pen, warm socks or slippers, towel, and (of course) a camera.

If your plans include packing a yoga mat, you can book ahead to reserve a 30-ft (9-m) diameter yurt in the valley about a 10 minute walk from the farmhouse. A regular yoga instructor can be arranged. With natural pine floors the yurt also serves as flexible space for other endeavour such as tai chi, dance and the arts. A few years ago, Leslie hosted a group of elders from Africa who relied on the yurt for all of their meeting circles. 

Tiny Cabins Immersed in Nature

The two cabins sit in different areas of the property: hilltop and meadow. They look like cheerful, little tiny houses – finished in sky-blue board and batten siding and crisp, white gingerbread trim. And like what’s been part of the tiny house trend, both cabins were created with efficiency and eco-friendliness in mind.  

“My goal was to offer a simple, peaceful spot where people can go to be in retreat,” says Leslie, “writers, artists and also those who need a break from all of the work out in the world.” Since COVID, Leslie says the clientele has shifted a bit. She’s noticed a trend of women who have busy jobs and kids, and just need a safe, quiet place to getaway alone. 

Neither cabin has working plumbing. Instead, each has access to what Leslie calls “an upscale outhouse.” You’ll have access to a pedal toilet and outdoor sink (rain water barrel connected). Have a flashlight ready to make the journey after dark.

Big Views and Off-Grid Solitude

The hilltop cabin is about a 15 minute walk from the farmhouse and parking area. Sitting nearby the intricately-laid rock labyrinth, it has a unique vantage point, perched over the valley. Climb the stairs to the little loft. Get out that book you’ve been meaning to finish, and settle in on the comfortable double mattress on the floor. (Once you’ve turned a few pages, you’ll more than likely fall asleep under the quilt.) Leave both upper windows open to let in the hilltop breezes – and be lulled to sleep by the chirps of nature, or the pitter-patter of rain, depending on what kind of weather you get. Even better, you can awake in the morning and take-in what has been called “the very best view in the County”– an incredible panorama of hills and sweeping valley at eye-level through the cabin's bay window, like a studio tour work of art up close.

The meadow and haven cabins can each accommodate four people due to a pull-out in each sitting area. But these cabins really make the perfect one-or-two person escape. Access to a kitchen can be obtained in the larger barn on the property. Laptops can be charged in the farmhouse, and extra books can be borrowed from the farmhouse library. 

Future plans at Fells Meadows include expanded gardens, an off-grid kitchen cabin and “bath facility”, and a couple of wall tents in the valley near the yurt. “It may not be as glamorous as some locations which have regular plumbing and hydro,” says Leslie, “but we are passionate about creating and building structures that are aligned with our value of sustainability.”

In terms of our own ability to sustain the rigours of the real world, the opportunity to simply slip away and renew in nature is exceptionally well represented at Fells Meadows. You can visit the Fells Meadows website here to look at booking a short visit or extended stay.