Alchemy & Adventure: Glastonbury & Stonehenge Pilgrimage

A soul-stirring long weekend of ceremony, connection, and celebration beneath the midsummer sun in the heart of Avalon.

18-21st June 2026

A WOMENS ONLY GATHERING

Join us

This solstice gathering weaves together Glastonbury’s sacred sites, ancient wisdom, and wild energy.
Through movement, ceremony, and pilgrimage, we’ll walk the paths once said to have been travelled by Joseph of Arimathea, Mary Magdalene, and the ancient guardians of Avalon — letting myth meet the body, the land, and the living spirit within us.

It’s a very outdoorsy, heart-led journey — simple, earthy, and soulfully connective & you’re invited!

Awaken your wild. Celebrate the solstice. Step into magic

Highlights

Private access to the White Spring for cleansing and renewal
Walk among the ancient oaks of Avalon — Gog and Magog
Solstice sunset pilgrimage to Stonehenge
Horse healing and connection experience with a local Horse herd
Sunrise ceremony, sound bath & cacao ritual on Glastonbury Tor
Beautiful shared meals, ancient wisdom talks, and gentle movement

A Note on Accommodation & Meals 🌿

This pilgrimage is a day-facilitated experience, meaning Clare will guide all the magical ceremonies, hikes, and gatherings — while giving you the freedom to create your own rhythm outside of the sessions.

Accommodation: Guests can arrange their own stays. Clare has five beds available in a beautiful property 15 minutes walk from the centre or she is happy to recommend beautiful local options and help coordinate car shares or tips.
Meals: Most meals are self-arranged, allowing you to explore Glastonbury’s cafes, bakeries, and magical food spots. Friday evening’s Queen of Cups banquet is included for a shared feast to connect and celebrate.

This flexible approach gives you the freedom to wander, explore, and rest in a way that feels right for you — while still being held and guided through the heart of the pilgrimage.

BOOK THIS TRIP

Programme Overview

(Subject to small shifts in flow — we follow the rhythm of the land and the group.)

Thursday 18 June – Arrival

Arrive and check into your chosen accommodation in or near Glastonbury.
The evening is free to settle, rest, and tune in to the energy of Avalon.

Friday 19 June – Sacred Waters & Ancient Oaks

Theme: Grounding in the Heart of Avalon

Chalice Well visit for our Welcome Circle in a quiet corner of the gardens & exploration
Private White Spring session for cleansing and renewal.
We’ll honour the mysteries of sacred waters and the balance of the masculine and feminine lines that cross beneath Glastonbury.
Gog & Magog Ancient Oaks and Tor Hike
Walk the old processional path once lined by oaks leading to the Tor — the ancient guardians of Avalon.
Afternoon – Free time to wander Glastonbury’s cafés, gardens, and healing spaces.
Dinner at Queen of Cups, a feast of local flavours with tarot, astrology, or fortune-telling readings.

Saturday 20 June – Fire Horse Energy

Theme: Freedom, Courage & Connection

Morning – Horse healing and connection session with the local herd.
A powerful encounter with horse medicine during the Year of the Fire Horse — embodying freedom, intuition, and transformation.
Lunch – Free time in Glastonbury or at your accommodation.
Drive to Amesbury for our Stonehenge Pilgrimage Hike.
Follow the ancient two-mile route, passing the King Barrows, the Cursus, and Normanton Down Barrows — each a layer of history beneath your feet.
Sit among the stones, witness the Solstice sunset, and gather for a simple circle with music, movement, and firelight.
Optional: Bring a picnic dinner (or light catering TBC).
Return to Glastonbury — early to bed after a night of golden magic.

Sunday 21 June – Solstice Sunrise & Farewell

Theme: New Beginnings

In the early dawn we will gather at Glastonbury Tor for our sunrise ceremony and sound bath.
As the sun rises around 4:44am, we’ll move through gentle dance, yoga nidra, and reflection.
A shared cacao ceremony will close our time together, with cups of warm cacao.
Guests are welcome to bring breakfast snacks to enjoy on the Tor.
Late morning – Farewell brunch in town or at your own pace before departure.

The Solstice Pilgrimages

Celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse with two unforgettable pilgrimages:

🌙 Solstice Eve – Stonehenge Sunset
Journey to this ancient circle to witness the sun dip behind the stones. A moment of connection, intention, and awe.

🌞 Solstice Morning – Glastonbury Tor Sunrise
Rise before dawn to greet the new day atop the Tor. Experience sound healing, gentle movement, and the magic of the first light on the longest day of the year.

These experiences are the heart of our retreat — powerful, symbolic, and soul-stirring.

Why horse healing?

2026 carries the fiery pulse of the Year of the Fire Horse — a powerful Chinese astrological cycle that embodies passion, freedom, intuition, and transformation. The horse has long symbolised wild wisdom and emotional truth, reminding us of our essential nature: strong yet sensitive, instinctive yet deeply connected.

In honour of this potent energy, you’ll have the option to spend a morning with a local herd at Painted Horse, guided through an experience of equine-assisted healing. This gentle form of therapy invites us to connect with horses through presence rather than performance — no riding, just being. Horses are exquisitely attuned to energy and emotion; they sense authenticity and mirror back what is unspoken, helping us see ourselves more clearly.

Through this sacred connection, we begin to regulate our nervous systems, release tension, and come into deeper harmony with the natural rhythms of life. These magnificent beings teach us to slow down, listen, and lead with the heart — to return to balance, truth, and freedom within.

Queen of Cups Banquet – A Feast for the Senses

On Friday evening, we’ll gather for a celebratory Queen’s Feast at Queen of Cups — Glastonbury’s beloved restaurant, known for its warm atmosphere, Middle Eastern-inspired flavours, and deep connection to local land and season.

Here, food becomes ceremony. Chef Ayesha Kalaji and her team craft each dish with love, using seasonal, locally sourced produce and spices that awaken the senses. The Queen’s Feast is a shared banquet — the chef’s choice of dishes, designed for connection, conversation, and the joy of tasting together.

Expect an abundant spread of mezze, breads, pickles, vibrant salads, and slow-cooked dishes infused with the aromas of za’atar, rose, and pomegranate. Every plate celebrates the alchemy of Somerset produce and Levantine soul.

Allergies or dietary needs will be gladly accommodated with notice.

The exact dishes will shift with the season, but previous feasts have featured:
✨ Hummus with charred courgette, apricot harissa, and almonds
✨ Labaneh with sticky urfa onions and buckwheat
✨ Triple-cooked potatoes with confit garlic and numbing za’atar salt
✨ Kamouneh-spiced pigeon or chicken makmoura with turmeric butter and yoghurt
✨ Grilled nabulsi cheese with wild za’atar and honey
✨ Vegan delights such as laverbread falafel, heritage tomato fattoush, and roasted Somerset squash with red pepper freekeh

This evening will be our moment to come together — to break bread, tell stories, and celebrate the magic of Avalon through taste, scent, and soul.

Who’s this for?

This pilgrimage is open to everyone — all ages, all stages of life, and all levels of experience. You don’t need to have done yoga, meditation, or retreats before — only a curious spirit, an open heart, and a willingness to walk the wild path.

It’s for those who feel called to reconnect with nature, to feel the pulse of ancient lands beneath their feet, and to remember something deeper within themselves. For those longing for renewal and transformation, who sense that the turning of the seasons — and the Solstice sun — marks a new beginning.

Whether you’re seeking adventure and laughter, quiet reflection, or a like-minded community of kindred spirits, this journey offers space for it all. Come as you are — leave a little lighter, brighter, and more connected to the magic that’s always been yours.

Your Host

Clare is an experienced yoga teacher, wellness and empowerment mentor with a wealth of knowledge, a fun, dynamic energy, and a warm, open heart. A full-time yoga teacher since 2009, Clare has hosted numerous yoga classes, retreats, and workshops.

She founded The Quaives Retreat centre in 2016. Her expertise lies in women's wellness; her sessions are all-inclusive, non-judgemental, and welcoming to people of all levels and life stages. Clare is qualified in Sunpower Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Women's Wellness Yoga Therapy, Yoga Nidra, sound healing, and Ayurvedic massage. Her mission is to support you in finding inner peace, joy, and self-confidence, offering a safe, compassionate, and supportive space for personal growth and increased confidence in your body and life choices.

I had the most wonderful time on retreat with Clare. It was my first yoga retreat and it has set a high standard. Clare was a warm and inspiring host. The food was amazing. I was nervous about trying a retreat on my own. But the whole experience was wonderful and felt very natural. The yoga, sound baths, and cocoa and fire ceremonies were all authentically delivered, the whole group were made to feel safe and all experiences were inclusive as well as immersive. It was a real healing experience

- Samantha L
A wonderful escape from everyday life. I received a warm welcome and the cottage was lovely; clean, cosy and beautifully decorated. The classes were great; excellent instruction, loads of guidance and new learning. Clare was a brilliant instructor for yogis of all levels. Adaptions were made for those of us with injuries and there was no judgement. The food was fantastic and there was plenty of it! I will certainly be booking to come back. Keep up the good work!

- Suzie T
My experience with Clare and her team were utterly phenomenal. Right from the moment I arrived, Clare was welcoming and thoughtful. This was my first ever yoga retreat so I was unsure of what to expect for the weekend. The quality of the healing, nourishment, workshops and lasting tools was exceptional. Clare was also extremely respectful when I needed solitude versus group activity over the weekend and I didn’t ever feel pressure to participate if it wasn’t right for me. Two weeks after returning home, I still feel the radiant glow that I left the weekend with, which is indicative of the quality of the retreat

- Erin H

Supported by Łukasz

Łukasz’s background is in the hospitality sector formally working at some of the top restaurants and hotels in Edinburgh. Now the founder of Whispers of the Jungle, a retreat centre in the heart of the Amazon jungle in Peru where he leads groups on transformational experiences and dieta’s. He believes playfulness and creativity are essential to healing, fostering deeper connection with oneself and others. His passions are plants, storytelling, sound healing and movement such as martial arts, yoga and fire spinning, some of which he undoubtedly will share with us during our stay.

The Details:

Your Glastonbury Solstice Pilgrimage includes:

🌿 Guided experiences and facilitation with Clare and Lukasz throughout the weekend
💫 Opening & closing circles, sound baths, and guided movement sessions
🌸 Private White Spring session for cleansing and renewal
🌳 Chalice Well visit & entry
🔥 Guided Tor hike via the ancient Oaks of Gog & Magog
🌅 Stonehenge Solstice Eve pilgrimage (guided hike and ceremony at sunset)
🐎 A facilitated horse healing and connection session with a local herd
☀️ Sunrise sound bath & cacao ceremony on Glastonbury Tor
💛 Access to a like-minded community and car-share coordination for all activities
🚗 Travel to and from Glastonbury or Stonehenge (we can arrange car shares just ask!)
🏡 Accommodation (self-booked locally — list of recommendations provided or stay with me in a beautiful 5 bedroom property with stunning gardens, a cedarwood hot tub and views of the Tor-- see details below)
🥗 Most meals (except for our group dinner at Queen of Cups on Friday evening this is included)
Spaces are limited to 10 participants for a personal and intimate experience.
Investment 💫
✨ Early Bird Ticket: £495 (available until 1st February 2025)

🌞 Standard Ticket: £555 (from 2nd February onwards)

Accommodation - prices range from £70 / night to £215 / night depending on room size, location and other factors. I have 5 beds available in the stunning property where I am staying prices range from £140-£215/night per person. Details are in the form when you click “Book this trip”
The nearest train stations are Castle Cary and Glastonbury, from where you can take a short taxi ride to the house. Once your place is confirmed, Clare will help connect everyone for potential car shares to make travel easy and eco-friendly.
During the retreat, we’ll also car share for our trips — to the horses, Glastonbury, and our pilgrimage to Stonehenge — so we’ll just need three cars in total, with petrol costs shared between everyone.
Travel light, bring your sense of adventure, and we’ll make the journey part of the experience.
What to Bring 🎒
Pack light, practical, and with a touch of magic. You’ll be walking ancient paths, dipping into sacred springs, and welcoming the Solstice sun — so bring what keeps you comfortable, nourished, and open to adventure.
Essentials:
👣 Comfortable walking shoes or boots
🧘‍♀️ Loose, comfy layers for movement and ceremony
🧢 Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
💦 Swimwear and towel (for wild swims or the White Spring)
🔥 Light jacket or warm layer for early mornings and evenings
🥪 Snacks or picnic lunches for hikes and days out
📓 Journal and pen for reflections and insights
🌸 Offerings for the land or springs (flower petals, crystals, small tokens)
🎶 Instruments, rattle, or drum (optional — for ceremony and sound)
🌿 Reusable water bottle and travel cup (for cacao or tea)
Bring an open heart, a curious spirit, and your sense of wonder — the rest will find its place once you arrive.
Schedule & Check-In
- Thursday 18 June: Check into your chosen accommodation in or near Glastonbury. Evening free to settle and soak in the energy of Avalon.
- Friday 19 – Sunday 21 June: Guided pilgrimage activities, including Chalice Well, White Spring, Tor & Oak walk, horse healing (optional), Stonehenge Solstice Eve pilgrimage, and sunrise ceremony on the Tor.
- Sunday 21 June: Closing circle in the morning, finishing in time for check-out around 10–11am.
We recommend staying until Monday if possible, to allow a relaxed departure and extra time to explore Glastonbury and the surrounding countryside.

Join the Pilgrimage
If you feel the call to walk these sacred paths, reconnect with your wild heart, and honour the turning of the sun — this is your invitation.