Retreats

Are you looking for the perfect venue to host your next residential workshop or retreat?

The Long Hall Venue: A Blank Canvas for Your Next Retreat

From mindful wellness weekends and creative arts workshops to culinary masterclasses and craft retreats, The Long Hall at Dovecote Barns provides an intimate, high-end setting designed to inspire.

When you host your event here, you aren’t just booking a room—you are securing an award-winning rural sanctuary where your guests can escape the everyday and invest time in themselves.

Host’s FAQ:

Everything You Need to Know

What equipment is provided in the Long Hall?

The Long Hall is a versatile “blank canvas.” We provide folding rustic wooden tables and seating that can be configured for banquets, boardroom-style meetings, or cleared for floor-based activities like yoga. Please let us know your specific layout requirements in advance. You can collapse the tables and move about the furniture as you see fit.

Is there WiFi and AV support?

Yes, we provide WiFi throughout the barns and the Long Hall. While we lean into our rustic heritage, the venue is equipped with modern power points and space for projector setups if your workshop requires digital presentations or we have a large TV which you can use to link a laptop to for presentations using a HDMI cable.

Can I store equipment before my guests arrive?

We aim to be as flexible as possible. If you have bulky equipment (yoga bolsters, art supplies, or kitchen kit), you are welcome to arrive early to set up the venue space as you wish.

How does catering work for workshops?

You have total flexibility. You can use the professional-grade Grand Barn kitchen to self-cater for your group, or we can recommend our trusted local partners who can provide full catering to suit your requirements.

What is the check-in/out process for residential retreats?

Check-in is from 4:00 PM and check-out is by 9:30 AM for departure days that fall on a changeover day (Monday or Friday), for all other allowed check-out days, late check-out by 4PM (Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday) applies. For exclusive-hire retreats, we are happy to discuss “Early Arrival”.

Is there a minimum stay for a residential retreat?

We require a two-night minimum stay for weekend or three nights for mid-week retreats. Please contact us if necessary to discuss.

A Space for Inspiration

The Long Hall is a beautifully restored 18th-century space that balances historic character with modern functionality. It is the heart of our site and offers:

Flexible Layouts: Whether you need open floor space for yoga mats, long tables for crafting, or a sophisticated fine dining experience, the Long Hall adapts to you.
The “Grand Barn” Culinary Hub: If you are hosting a cooking retreat, our adjoining Grand Barn kitchen is a chef’s dream—fully equipped to cater for your entire group of 22 for communal fine dining in the Hall.
A Sustainable Haven: Align your brand with our eco-values. The entire venue is powered by 100% renewable energy, providing a climate friendly stay for environmentally-conscious groups.

Host Your Guests in Five-Star Luxury

One of the biggest challenges for retreat hosts is finding high-quality accommodation on-site. We solve that for you with:

11 Ensuite Bedrooms: All featuring King or Super King beds (6 can be converted to twins), comfortably sleeping up to 22 guests based on two sharing per room.
Bedroom Options: If all bedrooms are split into twins there are 17 seperate beds. This is 12 singles (twin rooms), 3 kings and 2 super kings – all ensuite.
Four Award-Winning Barns: Winners of the Visit England National Award, our barns offer private lounges and kitchens where your guests can retreat for quiet reflection between sessions.

The Perfect Retreat Setting

Exclusive Use: When you book a group retreat, the entire site is yours. No outside distractions—just you, your guests, and the peaceful sounds of our working family arable farm.
Outdoor Breaks: Use our grass paddock for sunrise or sunset meditation, outdoor sketching, or even “walking breakouts” through our rural tracks.
Easy Logistics: Located minutes from York and major motorways (M1, M62, A1), making it easy for your attendees to join you from across the UK.

Tailored to Your Requirements

We understand that hosting a retreat is a big undertaking. We aim to make your job as seamless as possible:

Host Support: On arrival, we will walk you through the space and the local areas walks and eateries, ensuring you feel confident and settled before your first guest arrives.

Catering Your Way: You are welcome to use our kitchens to self-cater for your retreat, or we can connect you with local suppliers to provide a full-service catering package.

What Could You Host in The Long Hall?

Wellness & Yoga: A peaceful, light-filled space for movement and meditation.
Arts & Hobbies: Large tables and natural light for painting, reading or writing workshops.
Culinary Arts: A professional-grade kitchen and banquet hall for foodies.
Crafting Retreats: From floristry to knitting, our rural setting provides endless natural inspiration.

Ready to Bring Your Workshop to Life?

We would love to help you host an unforgettable experience for your clients. We offer you ‘Exclusive Use’ of the whole site and you do the rest!

Please note all our prices include 20% VAT.

Check Availability

‘Absolute perfection is a rare find, until now. The attention to detail to ensure guests feel welcome is outstanding. Every room is a delight to spend time in and to return to. Congratulations on the thoughtful renovations, superb quality furnishings and special touches throughout! A memorable stay for all the right reasons.’