Charlotte Church's wellness retreat The Dreaming is to close permanently after five years of operation, following an announcement on its official Instagram account. The retreat, located at Rhydoldog House near Rhayader, had previously paused operations in October 2021, citing an unsustainable drop in bookings and rising operational costs.
Five Years of The Dreaming
Singer, songwriter and activist Charlotte bought Rhydoldog House, once the family home of Laura Ashley, in 2021. With a team of builders and craftspeople, she renovated the site into a retreat where guests could take a break from busy lives, immerse themselves in the landscape and find healing through a range of workshops.
Each ensuite bedroom was themed, from The Mystic to The Moon, The Wanderer to Forest Spirits. The food and drink offering focused on wholesome, plant-based, and zero-waste cuisine. The renovation was the subject of a two-series programme on Discovery+ called Charlotte Church's Dream Build.
Impact and Achievements
Since opening, The Dreaming has hosted over 3,000 guests and received five stars from Condé Nast Traveller as well as Spa of the Year from The Times and Sunday Times. It also operated a "pay what you can" scheme starting at £1 per night and provided free stays for NHS workers.
In October 2021, The Dreaming announced it was to "go into hibernation," with management noting the business had found itself "at the mercy of the economy" due to cost-of-living pressures and reduced discretionary spending.
Farewell Message and Future Plans
The farewell message on Instagram said: "After five beautiful years, it is time to say goodbye to The Dreaming. As the year draws to a close, and the land settles into its winter slumber, we find ourselves at the end of a very special chapter."
It added: "Sadly, we've come to realise that this is not simply a time of hibernation, but the end of our journey with The Dreaming. What a beautiful, wild and wonderful few years it has been."
Although The Dreaming will no longer operate retreats, Rhydoldog House will remain available for private hire through Host Your Home. The message also noted that Zac, one of the chefs, will be available for private cheffing.
Supporters and former customers reacted with sadness on Instagram. One person commented: "I came to The Dreaming in February this year deep in grief and seeking comfort. I found peace, kindness, tranquillity and a renewed hope." Another said: "I feel very lucky and grateful to have stayed twice at the beautiful Dreaming. It’s a magical place for sure."
