Blogs of 2025 - St Nectans Glen

Hosting the Perfect Retreat

We can help you create a transformative experience while you hold space for your guests. Nestled in the Temperate Rainforest Canopy you will find your accommodation and studio workshop. Here you are far away from the distractions of everyday life. The Waterfall and birdsong provides the perfect background to your outdoor meditations.

Take the time to breathe, connect and ground yourself. Preparing you to guide your group through their journey of inner discovery.

We know you need to focus on your guests and provide them with the retreat of their dreams! Let us support you by providing the perfect nourishment – feed the soul to feed the mind!

Relax and take time to connect with the land or sit beside the fire under the stars – stay in the flow all the while in nature’s sanctuary.

What makes the perfect retreat?

A walk through the Temperate Rainforest lets the noise of daily life fade. The River Trevillet trickles nearby. Birdsong and the breeze dance through sun-dappled leaves, guiding you deeper into the Glen.

The earth beneath your feet, warmed by the sun or under leaves cooled by rain, deepens your connection to this sacred space. As you approach the waterfall, its rumble promises renewal and reconnection.

Sleeping beneath the Rainforest Canopy, free from digital distractions, restores and re-energizes. You all leave with the glow of St Nectan’s sacred land in your heart.

Feel stronger, feel connected and feel empowered.

Get in Touch

Plan your retreat with us by simply getting in touch

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St Nectan: The Hermit of the Waterfall and His Sacred Legacy

On June 17th, we celebrate St Nectan, a revered figure whose story is deeply entwined with the mystical waters of St Nectan’s Glen.

Born in the 5th century, St Nectan was the eldest son of King Brychan of Brycheiniog, a Welsh ruler known for his many saintly children. Several of his siblings also journeyed to Cornwall, establishing sacred sites that still bear their names today—St Clether, St Issey, St Minver, St Endellion, St Mabyn, St Winnow, St Duloe, St Morwenna, and St Keyne.

A Pilgrimage to the Waterfall

Inspired by the ascetic life of St Anthony, Nectan first settled in Hartland, Devon, but his pilgrimage led him further west, drawn to the secluded beauty of St Nectan’s Glen. Here, he built his hermitage above the waterfall, dedicating his life to prayer, contemplation, and the study of nature’s wisdom.

The Legend of the Robbers and the Silver Bell

One of the most enduring tales of St Nectan speaks of his encounter with two robbers. After receiving the gift of two cows, thieves stole them. Rather than responding with anger, Nectan offered them his blessing, hoping to guide them toward righteousness. However, the robbers turned on him, striking him down. It is said that, even in death, his holiness was undeniable—one of the robbers repented and buried him with honour.

Another tale tells of St Nectan ringing a silver bell during storms to warn sailors of the treacherous coastline. His presence at the waterfall became a beacon of protection and wisdom, drawing pilgrims for centuries.

St Nectan and the Wisdom of Plants

St Nectan was not only a spiritual guide but also a student of herbalism, learning the healing properties of plants that thrived in the glen. Among the flora associated with him, foxgloves stand out—believed to hold both medicinal and mystical significance. It is believed that when he died where his blood touched the ground foxgloves would grow.

In folklore, foxgloves were thought to be favoured by fairies, and their bell-shaped flowers were said to whisper secrets to those who listened.

A Legacy That Endures

Today, St Nectan’s Glen remains a place of reflection, reverence, and natural wonder. As we celebrate St Nectan’s Day, we invite you to walk in his footsteps, listen to the whispers of the water, and connect with the legacy of this remarkable saint.

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