Papilio House, A Brand New Retreat for Women, to Launch September 2025

Papilio House is a newly designed women’s retreat and sanctuary for transformation, relaxation, and personal growth. It is set within a private estate in Bisley, Stroud, in the Cotswolds, and will open in September 2025.

Finding enough time to recharge can feel impossible for busy women, often juggling careers, family, and everything in between. A recent report from Mental Health UK highlighted a significant prevalence of burnout among UK workers, particularly affecting women.

Papilio House offers a peaceful and private escape, providing a luxury space to unwind and reconnect. Surrounded by beautiful countryside, a core range of tailored activities and therapies, including yoga, creative workshops and nature walks, inspire guests to reset, explore and rejuvenate.

Founder Felicity Purchase-Hill conceived the idea for Papilio House, which stemmed from a personal desire to find a calming and nurturing space that blends the best elements of a luxury spa hotel, wellness retreat, and private members’ club into a luxury home-from-home experience and a place that guests will never want to leave.

Felicity said, “After years in a high-pressure corporate world, I craved a space where I could truly breathe, rest, and reset without rigid schedules or restrictive menus. I wanted something deeply personal, something different. So, I created Papilio House, a sanctuary designed as a ‘retreat from life’ like nothing guests have ever experienced.

“Busy lives can leave little time for self-care. We have carefully curated a range of activities and experiences at Papilio House for guests to relax, reconnect, recharge and have fun – whether that’s a guided forage, forestry class, tarot session, or simply curling up with a book by the pool. It’s their choice.”

Personalised Attention
The guest focus is on five-star, personalised attention, which includes everything. A motivational group session with the Papilio House Life Coach marks the welcome of the 5-night retreat, setting the tone for an inspiring and transformative stay.

Throughout the retreat, guests can immerse themselves in curated therapies, workshops and activities, such as a calligraphy workshop, cheese and wine tasting, floristry and interior design masterclasses, local foraging, and psychic reading.

Wellness treatments include acupuncture, yoga, massages, Pilates and wild swimming. For guests seeking even more, an exclusive black book of additional therapies and one-off experiences is available upon request.

The Papilio House concept also focuses on building community and creating new friendships between like-minded guests who attend the retreats.

Accommodation
The luxury accommodation at Papilio House comprises ten guest rooms and suites – including one fully accessible suite – within a private estate setting. Each guest room features plush, high-quality bedding and elegant décor. Indulgent en suite bathrooms are equipped with Bramley products, ensuring a spa-like experience.

Outside of the house, guests can relax in the beautiful heated outdoor pool, hot tub, sauna and steam room and take plentiful walks in and around the Papilio 320-acre estate.

Healthy Feasting
Restorative daily meals made from fresh local ingredients are prepared by local private chef Ian Ballantyne, who hosts immersive cookery classes for guests during the retreat.

Continental breakfasts and daily specials welcome the day, and a light buffet lunch, afternoon tea, pre-dinner canapes, and an indulgent three-course evening feast—with paired wines and soft drinks—are all included for guests throughout the stay. The Papilio House dining experience starts with a champagne welcome reception hosted by founder Felicity Purchase-Hill and concludes with a spectacular celebratory feast on the final night.

Papilio House Booking Details:

Prices start from £3,750 per guest for a 5-night stay, including gourmet breakfast, lunch and dinner, premium drinks, and exclusive group activities.

Two retreats will be launched in September 2025 (8th—13th September and 14th—19th September), and further retreat dates will be announced.

Retreat spots are limited to 12 guests per retreat.

For more information and to book, please visit www.papiliohouse.com.

The images used in this feature are courtesy of Papilio House.