‘Wellness’ has faced its ups and downs in recent years, from a seldom used term, to a booming multi-trillion dollar industry. What began as a holistic approach to mental health became catapulted into public consciousness, fueled by social media and celebrity endorsements. But beneath the surface, wellness is simply about feeling good and prioritising your wellbeing, an antidote to the increasingly busy and tech-fuelled lives we now lead. Gone are the days when wellness was confined to expensive spa treatments or rigid fitness regimes. Wellness today is about creating space for connection - finding balance over perfection and discovering what genuinely makes you feel alive.
Built for Wellbeing
The landscape, lifestyle and history of the Cotswolds naturally lends itself to a more thoughtful approach to wellbeing, one which prioritises connection to nature over quick fixes. With nearly 800 square miles of rolling hills, woodlands and flower-filled meadows, it’s a landscape that invites contemplation and naturally encourages a pace which allows thoughts to settle and breath to deepen.
Behind the scenes, it is women, women with a vision and holistic approach not only to physical and mental wellbeing but entrepreneurism, who are forging a new path in wellness. They’re proving that businesses can be successful while staying true to their values, that wellness can be accessible without being watered down, and that the most powerful transformations often happen not through dramatic intervention, but through consistent, joyful practices.
When Business Meets Nature
The Cotswolds Juicery perfectly embodies this authentic approach to wellness. Founded by qualified juice therapist Anya, who crafts all her cold-press juices by hand in her converted shipping container, this isn't about expensive trends or miracle cures. Instead, Anya focuses on helping her customers kickstart healthy habits, improve digestion, and feel genuinely better on their wellness journey.
Soulgood Retreat brings another layer of authenticity to the Cotswolds wellness scene - founded by four best friends with a shared passion for wellness. They hold regular retreats and workshops, host private events and hen parties, all while maintaining the friendship that sparked their collaboration.This is no Barry's Bootcamp. Soul Good Retreats focuses on mindful movement, wholesome connection, and creating gentle shifts that lead to lasting change.
Taking the connection to nature even further, Retreat and Rewild offers something beautifully cohesive. Founded by Cat Hindson, this Cirencester-based venture combines a yoga and pilates studio with immersive retreat experiences that range from deep-tissue massage to five-day coastal adventures. R&R's intention goes beyond simple exercise or relaxation – they're creating spaces designed for genuine connection and peace. Their retreats offer a chance to truly switch off and experience the beauty of nature through sea swimming, mindful yoga practices and precious free time.
Creative Wellbeing Circle recognises that business networking and community wellbeing are naturally intertwined, rather than competing priorities. Through regular 'netwalking' sessions, members are invited to join nature walks that focus on both the physical and mental benefits of getting outside. These sessions, running across Gloucestershire and beyond, represent a refreshing alternative to traditional networking. Instead of stuffy conference rooms and forced conversations, connections happen naturally while moving through some of England's most beautiful landscapes.
The Cotswolds Difference
The new approach to wellness is grounded in place and community, embracing your surroundings to support a more thoughtful approach to wellbeing. It isn’t about 5 AM alarms or spending hundreds of pounds on a new beauty technique, it’s about sustainable practices that honour both individual needs and community connections. These Cotswold women are creating something refreshingly different, not just building businesses but creating a culture where prioritising wellbeing isn’t indulgent but essential. They’re proving that the most meaningful wellness happens not through expensive interventions but through community and nature.