In our modern world, it's easy to become disconnected from the rhythms of nature, losing touch with the restorative power of the changing seasons. At TreeDwellers, we believe that true serenity is found in aligning ourselves with these natural cycles, embracing the unique gifts each season offers.
This guide invites you on a journey to cultivate seasonal serenity through holistic activities, drawing inspiration from the tranquil beauty of our woodland setting. To enrich this journey, we'll also touch upon the wisdom of the Celtic Wheel of the Year, an ancient way of understanding the flow of time and energy through the seasons.
Spring's Awakening: Renewal and Rebirth (March - May)
Spring at TreeDwellers is a time for invigorating the senses and celebrating new life, a time of Air in the East, and the vibrant energy of Imbolc and Ostara.
Spring begins with Imbolc (around February 1st), a Celtic fire festival that, though technically late winter, heralds the first stirrings of life. Rejoice in the subtle lengthening of days, the quiet push of green shoots through the earth, and the anticipation of warmer breezes. It's a time to ignite our own inner spark of creativity and set intentions for the coming season.
➡️ Click here to read our Taste of the Wild Blog, telling the story of a Spring experience at TreeDwellers.
As we move towards Ostara (the Spring Equinox, around March 20th), this energy builds, and the element of Air becomes more prominent. Imagine the crisp morning air filling your lungs, carrying the sweet scent of emerging blossoms and the joyful chorus of returning birds. Ostara celebrates the full awakening of nature, the balance of light and dark, and the promise of growth and abundance that bursts forth in the woodland.
Flora's Flourish:
March:
The woodland floor is carpeted with early bloomers, bringing a delicate beauty to the still-bare landscape.
Look for wood anemones (Anemone nemorosa) carpeting the woodland floor with their delicate, white, star-shaped flowers, often tinged with pink on the underside.
Primroses (Primula vulgaris) add splashes of pale yellow to the verges and clearings, their five-petaled flowers a welcome sight.
Lesser celandine (Ficaria verna) flowers open to greet the increasing sunlight, their bright yellow petals creating a golden sheen on the ground.
April:
The magical bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) season arrives, painting the local landscape in a breath-taking sea of intense blue – a truly iconic sight of British woodlands.
➡️ Discover the finest florals as Muddy Stilettos guides us on the best bluebell spots near TreeDwellers.
Early-purple orchids (Orchis mascula), with their striking purple spikes and spotted leaves, begin to appear in woodland clearings and on calcareous soils.
The fresh green leaves of hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) trees emerge, eventually leading to their fragrant white blossom, a key feature of hedgerows and woodland edges.
May:
As the trees' new leaves start to close the canopy cover, bluebells and other small flowers make way for taller plants.
Towering spires of foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea), with their distinctive bell-shaped, purple-spotted flowers, add a touch of drama to the scene, often along woodland rides and edges.
The unfurling of bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) creates a lush, green understory in many areas, adding texture to the woodland floor with its characteristic triangular fronds.
Fauna's Chorus:
The air is filled with the crescendo of birdsong as resident birds nest and migrant species arrive.
Butterflies emerge from their winter slumber, adding splashes of colour to the woodland.
Keep an eye out for signs of new life, such as young deer fawns.
Holistic Activity: Mindful Movement in the Yoga Pagoda
Spring's energy is perfect for invigorating movement. Practice a gentle yoga flow in the Glade's yoga pagoda, focusing on stretching and awakening your body.
Incorporate sun salutations to celebrate the increasing daylight.
The open-air setting allows you to fully immerse yourself in the sounds of birdsong and the fresh spring air.
Glade Connection: The Forest Megaphone's Spring Symphony
Use the Forest Megaphone in The Glade area to amplify the subtle sounds of spring – the rustling of new leaves, the trickle of a stream, the diverse calls of birds.
Engage in a sound meditation, focusing on the changing textures of the woodland's chorus as the day progresses.
Sonic Sanctuary: Spring's Ambient Bloom on SONOS
While enjoying your stay, enhance your experience with the SONOS app and your treehouses' inbuilt premium SONOS speaker system.
Explore nature soundscapes to complement the sounds of the forest, such as recordings of birdsong, flowing streams, or gentle rain.
Use the SONOS app to search for "Nature Sounds" or "Forest Bathing" inspired stations and playlists to bring the calming essence of spring indoors.
Summer's Abundance: Verdant Vitality (June - August)
Summer at TreeDwellers is a time for embracing the fullness of life and the richness of the woodland. It's a season when the element of Fire reigns in the South, and the vibrant energy of Litha (the Summer Solstice, around June 21st) ignites the forest. Imagine the sun's golden rays filtering through the dense canopy, casting a warm glow on the vibrant wildflowers. Feel the energy of the Earth at its peak, a time of abundance and celebration.
As the days reach their longest, Litha invites us to celebrate the power of the sun, the warmth of connection, and the vibrant life force that pulses through the woodland.
Flora's Profusion:
June:
The woodland is now a symphony of deep green, with the canopy fully formed, offering cool and welcome shade.
Look for the delicate, star-shaped, white flowers of enchanter's nightshade (Circaea lutetiana) in the shadier, damper areas of the woodland floor.
Dog roses (Rosa canina) begin to bloom, adding splashes of pale pink to the hedgerows and woodland edges with their sweet, subtle fragrance.
July:
Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) climbs through the trees, its creamy-white and yellow flowers releasing an intoxicatingly sweet scent, particularly in the evening, attracting moths.
Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria), with its creamy-white, frothy clusters of flowers, thrives in damp meadows and along streamsides, adding a delicate, almond-like fragrance.
The towering foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea), which began blooming in late May, are now at their peak, their bell-shaped, purple-spotted flowers a striking feature of woodland rides and clearings.
August:
Bramble (Rubus fruticosus) flowers, small and white or pink, appear, promising the abundant blackberries to come, a sign of the approaching harvest.
Great willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum), with its tall spikes of pink-purple flowers, adds a vibrant splash of colour to wetter areas and ditches.
The focus shifts slightly from individual flowers to the overall lushness of the green foliage and the ripening of berries and seeds, a subtle hint of autumn's approach.
Fauna's Activity:
Butterflies and dragonflies flit through the air, adding to the vibrancy of the scene.
The woodland hums with the activity of bees and other pollinators.
Keep an eye out for signs of mammals, such as deer and foxes, as they move through the undergrowth.
Holistic Activity: Creative Expression in the Glade
Summer's vibrant energy is perfect for creative expression. Bring art supplies to the Glade and sketch or paint the lush scenery.
If you didn't bring supplies, why not use natural materials (leaves, flowers, twigs) to create ephemeral art installations.
The open space provides a canvas for inspiration and a connection with nature's beauty.
Glade Connection: Reflecting in the Yoga Pagoda
Use the yoga pagoda as a space for quiet reflection and journaling.
Write poems or stories inspired by the summer woodland.
Focus on gratitude for the abundance of the season.
Sonic Sanctuary: Summer's Golden Hour on Sonos
As the days lengthen and evenings warm, use the Sonos app to set the mood in your treehouse.
Consider the "Sunset Fuzz" or "Cocktail Hour" stations on Sonos Radio for a vibrant and uplifting ambiance, perfect for enjoying the long summer evenings.
These stations, available on Sonos Radio, offer curated selections of music to enhance your summer experience.
Autumn's Transformation: Golden Hues (September - November)
Autumn at TreeDwellers is a time for embracing change and the beauty of letting go.
Flora's Farewell:
The woodland canopy transforms into a breath-taking display of reds, oranges, and yellows.
Fungi emerge in a fascinating variety of shapes and colours.
Berries ripen, providing food for wildlife.
Fauna's Preparation:
Birds begin their autumn migration.
Mammals prepare for winter, such as squirrels storing food.
Listen for the calls of deer during the rutting season.
Holistic Activity: Autumnal Grounding with InTune Wellbeing
Autumn's energy is ideal for grounding and releasing. During your stay, enhance this process with a bespoke sound therapy session from Claire Brannigan of InTune Wellbeing, designed to help you find inner balance and release tension.
Complement this inner work with grounding practices in the Glade:
Practice a grounding meditation in the yoga pagoda, focusing on your connection to the earth.
Engage in mindful walking, paying attention to the textures and scents of the autumn woodland.
Glade Connection: The Forest Megaphone's Autumnal Echoes
Use the Forest Megaphone to connect with the outer world, listening to the sounds of the wind rustling through the changing leaves.
Record the sounds of the autumn woodland and create a soundscape to take home, capturing the essence of the season's transition.
Sonic Sanctuary: Autumnal Reflections with Brittany Howard on Sonos
Embrace the introspective mood of autumn in your treehouse with a unique musical journey on the Sonos app. Explore "The Encyclopedia Of Brittany," the artist-curated station by Brittany Howard on Sonos Radio, for a rich and soulful soundtrack to the changing season.
This station, curated by the acclaimed artist Brittany Howard, offers an eclectic mix of music that has inspired her throughout her life, from childhood influences to current favourites.
It's a diverse and engaging listening experience that complements the reflective atmosphere of autumn.
As the leaves fall and the days shorten, let Howard's curated selections provide a warm and comforting backdrop for your moments of introspection and connection with the woodland.
Winter's Stillness: Peace and Reflection (December - February)
Winter at TreeDwellers is a time for quiet contemplation and appreciating the stark beauty of nature.
Flora's Resilience:
The bare trees reveal their intricate forms against the winter sky.
Evergreen trees provide a touch of color and life.
Look for the subtle signs of new growth, such as emerging catkins.
Fauna's Quietude:
Wildlife activity slows down, but you can still observe birds foraging for food.
Look for animal tracks in the snow (if present).
Listen for the calls of owls in the stillness of the night.
Holistic Activity: Restorative Practices in the Yoga Pagoda
Winter's energy is perfect for restorative practices.
Practice gentle stretching or restorative yoga in the yoga pagoda.
Engage in guided meditation to cultivate inner peace and stillness.
Glade Connection: Sound Meditation in the Forest Megaphone
Use the Forest Megaphone to listen to the subtle sounds of the winter forest.
The quietness can be a powerful tool for inner reflection.
Sonic Sanctuary: Winter's Tranquillity on Sonos
Embrace the peaceful stillness of winter in your treehouse with calming soundscapes from the Sonos app.
Explore "Sleep Sounds," a collection of stations on the Sonos app designed to help you fall and stay asleep, creating a serene and restorative ambiance.
Consider playlists like "Piano For Sleeping" or "White Noise" for a truly tranquil experience.
Conclusion
At TreeDwellers, we encourage you to embrace the unique gifts of each season, finding harmony with nature's rhythms.
Whether you seek the vibrant energy of spring, the lush abundance of summer, the transformative beauty of autumn, or the serene stillness of winter, the woodland awaits, offering a holistic retreat for the soul.
TreeDwellers is more than just a place to stay; it is a journey into the heart of nature's splendour, a retreat where architectural beauty and luxurious amenities converge to offer an unparalleled experience of serenity and wellness.
Book your stay with us and discover the transformative power of nature, luxury, and holistic wellness at TreeDwellers.
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