Come inside the first ever Tythe Great Chat Retreat for all the insider details and behind-the-scenes snapshots.
The Brief
Having spent 27 years masterminding large scale weddings and events, it was time for Tythe to turn all its expertise into creating an intimate event for ten. On January 29th and 30th Tythe threw open the doors to its entire estate to host a wellness retreat like no other and just 50 minutes by train from central London. Led by the celebrity interviewer and podcaster, Josh Smith, and based around the principles of his bestselling book ‘Great Chat: Talk To Anyone. Make New Connections. Improve Your Relationships’ its aim was to demonstrate how mastering great conversation is a life-changing wellbeing practice, and every bit as important as eating a nourishing diet and getting good quality sleep.
The Inspiration
The book where it all began. If you fancy some Great Chat yourself, check out Josh’s book here.
The Guestlist
The actor, the stylist, the celebrity podcaster, the fashion influencer, the wellness author, the TEDx speaker, the make-up artist and the party planner. This was an intimate collection of creatives who lead busy lives and who all needed to pause, reconnect, rejuvenate away from the rush of the city and find time for meaningful conversations that are memorable and inspiring.
The Itinerary
Over two days Josh created a series of workshops and activations all designed to instigate great conversation. Guests were greeted at the front door with a colourful array of Wellness Shots before perching fireside for a relaxed and welcoming afternoon tea in The Farmhouse Lounge. There was time for deep relaxation in Tythe’s new Sauna Cabin and Hot Tub and Josh’s Great Chat Getaway game that encouraged guests to ponder questions over dinner. Cards at place settings asked, ‘What are you most proud of?’ ‘What has been your most memorable holiday?’ ‘What would you like to do if no one was looking?’ as guests were invited to unwind and unload. Day two saw Wellness author, Adrienne Adhami, hosting a breathwork class in The Thatched Barn before Josh lead a ‘How To Be A Great Communicator’ workshop in The Cowshed. Later, everyone was treated to a fireside chat with Josh and TEDx speaker (and author of the forthcoming Pleasure) Emma Louise Boynton on ‘Taboo Talks – How to Navigate Tricky Chats’. Activities were thoughtfully paced to give everyone the right balance of engagement and peaceful downtime.
The Food
There was little chance of anyone going hungry thanks to our catering team at Absolute Taste. Guests were served nutrient-rich smoothies and booster shots on arrival to keep energy levels high before a mini afternoon tea in The Farmhouse Library. Think classic Coronation chicken and truffled egg mayo sandwiches followed by Calamansi curd tarts with fresh raspberries and meringue, Craquelinchoux buns with dark chocolate creameux and Black Forest Chocolate Cups.
Proving that rosé is never just for summer, guests sipped ice cold Whispering Angel for pre-dinner drinks with canapés that included beef tartare, Oxfordshire lamb belly and prawn tacos. Dinner was designed to be indulgent, unrushed and full of flavour, with the focus on everyone getting to know each other on a deeper level. Absolute Taste designed a menu that showcased hero local producers and the very best of seasonal British ingredients.
Starters
Sourdough, Sea Salt & Rosemary Focaccia, Truffle Focaccia, Smoked Butter, Miso Butter, Roasted Yeast Butter (V)
Caraway roasted carrots, dill, crème fraiche, hazelnuts
The Best of Cobble Lane Cured meats
Marco Pierre White Smoked Salmon Platter
Main
Cotswold chicken, Roasted Onion, Miso, Soy, Black Garlic, Baked Rice, Pistachio, and orange.
Local Venison Ragu, Roasted Parmesan, Puffed Wild Rice
Whole Baked Turbot, Cauliflower Puree, Pickled Cauliflower, Golden Raisin, Chicken Hob Nob Crumb, Marmite Sauce
Sweet potato, lime leaves, coconut and ginger, crispy curry leaves (V)
Sides
Koffmann Mash, Ox Cheek, Chives, Beef Fat Crumb
Tater Tots, Truffled Parmesan
Burnt End Beans
Braised Peas
January King Cabbage
Dessert
Best in Class Fruit Miso & Chocolate Mousse
Olive Oil Ice
Treacle Tart, Passion Fruit, Yuzu
Cheese
Wookey Hole Cave aged cheddar
Ash Rolled goat’s cheese
Oxford Blue
Baron Bigod
Apples, fresh figs, radish and grapes
Honey, chutney, breads and crackers
Petit Fours
Petit Fours
Strawberry & rose marshmallow
Raspberry fruit pastel
White chocolate & raspberry truffle
Mini chocolate roulade
Bedtime Treats
‘Bikini Toastie’ with Iberian Ham, Black Truffle Cheddar and Manchego Cheese
Breakfast
Mixed fruit, pastries, jams, butter
Homemade granola and yoghurt pots
Smashed avocado, poached eggs
Exotic Fruit Platter
Orange juice
Honeydew melon, cucumber, lime juice
Fennel, blueberry & apple juice
Smoothies:
Green Goddess – Coconut water, spinach, banana, celery, desiccated coconut
Fruity Smoothie – Peach, mango, raspberry, almond milk, almond butter
The Details
A wellness retreat called for some serious attention to detail – something Tythe owner Emma Deeley and her team excel at. Everything was designed to engage guests in deep and inspiring conversation. An enlarged illustration map of the Tythe estate by watercolour artist Emma Louise Castle was placed in an antique gilt frame to help give guests a sense of the estate they were about to explore together. Fluffy robes, towels and sliders were placed in all the rooms for total comfort when visiting the hot tub, sauna and wild showers. Handwritten letters from Emma Deeley and her husband Will were created in the Tythe brand colours, closed with a wax seal with the Tythe logo and placed in all the bedrooms to personally connect with guests the moment they checked in.
A mini afternoon tea was served on individual slate platters, each inscribed in chalk with a thought-provoking question that invited guests to pause and reflect, including: City life or country life? Classic movie or trending series? Family heirloom or modern decor? This sparked conversation the moment our group of guests were assembled while history cards placed around The Farmhouse invited them to think about and discuss the centuries-old buildings they were staying and socialising in. Emma Deeley curated a selection of books to act as props, including Josh’s, to present the pre-dinner canapés on in The Farmhouse Library, brilliantly drawing together the social aspect of eating with Josh’s literary credentials and to a backdrop of classic jazz. Hydration stations were placed throughout the estate, guests were encouraged to refuel between workshops with warm cookies and Turkish Delight, all the log fires were lit and crackling, and additional fairy lights were strung through the trees to create a magical glow come nightfall. This continued at The Farmhouse kitchen table, the setting for dinner, and illuminated entirely by soft candlelight.
The Gifts
We wanted the gifts that were given to our guests to reflect the countryside around us and the rural setting that we call home. Jo Malone London provided Pine & Eucalyptus Classic Candles that helped bring the scent of outside into our farmhouse bedrooms. 100 Acres generously gifted their best-selling Body Lotion. Packed with lemon, lavender, chamomile and geranium, it was evocative of our flowerbeds on balmier summer nights. From independent British brand, Lucy Bee, it was the natural Hand & Body Cream. And from Tythe’s in-house range, Plum & Ashby, guests received a votive in Emma Deeley’s favourite scent, Wild Fig and Saffron, to remind them of Tythe, long after they left us. To finish, guests had homemade truffles from Angela at Absolute taste as a homely treat from the countryside, and a non-alcoholic pick-me-up drink to boost them on the train back to London.
The Verdict
“Tythe was THE perfect location to host my first ever retreat at. Every single detail in this incredible property from the sauna to The Farmhouse and the stunning barn is thought through and executed to perfection. The team, directed by the wonderful owner, Emma, are also exceptional – it feels like your safe space from the minute you arrive. I couldn’t recommend this venue more, be it for a wedding, a company retreat or a big birthday celebration. I have also been to a LOT of weddings, and this venue really is one of, if not THE best I have seen.”
The Photographs
With deep thanks to Igor Demba for capturing all the fun we had.
For more details on hosting your own retreat at Tythe please contact our team.
The VIP’s:
