Winter Wellfest

Winter Wellfest Guildford partners with Whispering Wood Spa & Wellness Retreats

New spa will bring nature-inspired wellbeing to the festival

Winter Wellfest Guildford has announced an exclusive partnership with Whispering Wood Wellness Retreats, the holistic wellness destination opening in East Horsley in August 2026.

The partnership brings together two organisations with a shared commitment to making wellbeing accessible, meaningful and rooted in connection. As part of the collaboration, Gaia will create a tranquil pop-up retreat at Winter Wellfest Guildford, offering visitors the opportunity to step away from the pace of the festival and experience restorative holistic therapies in a calm, welcoming space.

Inspired by the rhythms of nature and the belief that true wellbeing comes from nurturing mind, body and spirit together, Whispering Wood's pop-up will offer guests a chance to pause, reset and reconnect while discovering the philosophy behind the retreat ahead of its official opening.

Katie Cheeseman, Founder of Whispering Wood Spa & Wellness Retreats, said:

"Whispering Wood was created from a simple belief: that everyone deserves time and space to reconnect with themselves. We believe healing begins when we slow down, breathe deeply and return to what matters most. Winter Wellfest shares that same ethos of bringing wellbeing into everyday life, so this partnership feels like a natural extension of our mission. We can't wait to welcome visitors and give them a genuine taste of the Whispering Wood experience."

Ruth Stone, Director of Winter Wellfest Guildford, said:

"Winter Wellfest is about creating opportunities for people to discover new ways to support their wellbeing in an inspiring and welcoming environment. Whispering Wood embodies everything our festival stands for—authentic, holistic and community-focused wellbeing. Their beautiful approach will give visitors a chance to experience moments of calm and restoration during the day, and we're delighted to welcome them as a partner."

Visitors will be able to experience a carefully curated menu of holistic taster treatments, including:

Reiki
Reflexology
Indian Head Massage
Warm Bamboo Massage
Warm Jade Stone Massage
Total Relaxation Massage
Ice Globe Facial

About Whispering Wood Spa & Wellness Retreats

Guildford’s first Winter Wellfest receives Mayoral support

Winter Wellfest Guildford, Guildford’s first winter wellbeing festival, has received the seal of approval from Cllr Jane Tyson, the town’s Mayor.

Winter Wellfest Guildford takes place in Guildford on Saturday 7 November at G Live. Running from 10am to 6pm, the new indoor event follows the success of Surrey Hills Wellfest, which attracted more than 1,200 visitors last year.

Cllr Jane Tyson, The Mayor of Guildford says, “As someone with a passion for wellness I’m using my mayoral year to connect communities and support initiatives that help residents improve their mental, physical and emotional wellbeing.

Bringing together an amazing range of information and activities, Winter Wellfest will offer a great opportunity for people to explore what’s available locally to support their wellbeing.”

The festival has been designed to promote wellbeing locally by championing only practitioners based in and around Guildford and in so doing aims to build the local wellbeing economy.

Festival Director Ruth Stone explains, “Most wellbeing businesses are small independents and an event like this gives them a fantastic platform to promote what they do, And as the audience will be local, when our guests find a wellbeing practice or service they like, it will be much easier for them to continue to access it, improving their health and happiness for the long term.”

The event will include free talks, alongside workshops, taster classes and therapies. Visitors will be able to try a wide range of experiences, from sound baths to aerial yoga, while also meeting local charitable organisations that place wellbeing at the heart of their work.