Dark Skies Weekend

Back by popular demand!

Join us and embrace the ‘can do’ Calvert attitude: challenge yourself on Saturday with an outdoor activity followed by an art workshop with the fabulous Juno Lowther using Van Gogh’s ‘Starry Night’ as inspiration. As the stars appear, meet volunteer astronomers from Cockermouth Astronomical Society for an introduction to the night sky. After dinner head up Dodd Wood for marshmallows, hot chocolate and star gazing through telescopes and binoculars under the guidance of our friendly astronomers. Depart after breakfast on Sunday – heavenly!

This weekend is accessible to those with both physical and learning disabilities as our centre is fully equipped with a range of specialist equipment, but unlike most of our residential stays this is also open to non-disabled groups and visitors.

What’s included?

Well – everything you’d expect:

Accommodation in our on-site, spick and span ensuite rooms (by the way – we don’t do online booking as we like to find out exactly what you need from your room first!)
Breakfast, lunch and dinner plus snacks
A brilliant array of accessible outdoor activity – tailored to you and the time of year.
And everything else – all those things you didn’t expect but that really matter: meeting and making friends with like-minded families; a break together – as a family; doing things you may never have thought possible – together; quite simply – making memories.

Prices

£250 per person price is based on 2 people sharing a twin room with en-suite wet room.

Upcoming Dark Skies Weekends

October

202421oct(oct 21)4:00 pm25(oct 25)10:00 amRomeo & Juliet: Star-crossed clans!Themed Midweek BreakPrice per Person £550

November

202401nov4:00 pm03(nov 3)10:00 amDark Skies WeekendThemed WeekendPrice per Person £250

202425nov(nov 25)4:00 pm29(nov 29)9:30 amSwing into The Jungle BookThemed BreakPrice per Person £550

Other Themed Weekends you may be interested in

July

202431jul10:00 am11:00 amPony Mindfulness SessionGentle and therapeutic, promoting a sense of peace and tranquillityPrice per Person £40

Event Details

What is it?

Here at Calvert Stables, we are harnessing the power of our ponies to launch a series of mindfulness sessions. Over the last 18 years, Stables Manager, Henri Carew has seen the positive influence of horses and ponies time and time again – particularly the calming effect they can have on people and how it can improve wellbeing. It is well known that practising mindfulness is a fantastic way to relieve stress and anxiety, encourage good quality sleep and unclutter our busy minds among a whole host of other benefits. Practising mindfulness while connecting with ponies is an experience that can greatly enhance those benefits as their gentle, therapeutic presence promotes a feeling of peace and tranquillity

Each session will run as follows:

We will begin with a restful seated meditation, while the ponies interact.
We will then slowly walk around them, gradually making a connection by beginning to touch, stroke and groom.
This wonderfully relaxing experience will close with a soothing breathing meditation.
No previous horse experience is necessary and no horse riding is involved.
All ages welcome but under 18 year olds must be accompanied by an adult.

The sessions will be delivered by qualified mindfulness teacher Fedella Marsden.

Having incorporated mindfulness into her Yoga, Tai Chi and Qigong practice, in 2015 Fedella Marsden began formal training with the Mindfulness Association. She followed a three-year programme of mindfulness, compassion and insight courses and also successfully completed their teacher training programme. She is an approved tutor for the Mindfulness Association’s 8-week Mindfulness Based Living and Compassion Based Living Courses and also runs meditation and relaxation retreat days. Fedella keeps a daily practice of mindfulness meditation and often attends training courses and meditation retreats. She has seen how mindfulness has made life changing benefits for herself and her students.