• June 24, 2025

Discovering a New Pace of Travel at Belmond’s Secret Retreat

Discovering a New Pace of Travel at Belmond’s Secret Retreat

Discovering a New Pace of Travel at Belmond’s Secret Retreat 1024 683 micebook.

By Susie Harwood

Last month, I received an intriguing invite from Belmond’s Perrine Chapelain to a Secret Retreat to Discover a New Pace of Travel. There were limited details apart from the date and that it would be a curated program including nature-focused wellness experiences, thought-provoking panels and keynote sessions, Michelin-starred dining and other surprises along the way.

Of course, my answer was a resounding yes, especially as I learned some of my fave industry friends would be there. I was asked to share my postal address, and whether I would be driving or would like to take advantage of transfers to and from Horsham Station. And a week later, a beautiful ornate box arrived in the post containing a key granting me access to The Secret Retreat. This was followed by a final email revealing more details about the day and an invitation to choose from an array of afternoon activities.

But I still didn’t know where we were actually going until I arrived at Horsham Station on a beautiful sunny day last week to be greeted by Belmond branded EV converted classic cars from Electrogenic, and whisked to the Honeybridge Estate, where our day of slow luxury began.

Overlooking the South Downs National Park, the private estate boasts beautiful, lush and secluded grounds, the perfect spot for a Secret Retreat. And after a welcome drink of delicious French Bloom (a non-alcoholic sparkling wine as delicious as the real thing) we were guided through a barefoot movement and breathwork class by Nala from Wild Movement Collective under the shade of the trees, giving everyone the opportunity to disconnect and embrace the slower pace.

Feeling suitably energised after a moment of calm, we met with Belmond’s hotel and train representatives to learn about the exciting refurbishments and launches coming up, and how the properties can help deliver memorable moments and experiences for corporate events and incentive groups. In keeping with the theme, it was more storytelling showcases in intimate groups than traditional sales presentations.

This was followed by a delicious al fresco lunch curated using the finest seasonal and locally sourced ingredients by executive chef Sven Britt of the new Britannic Explorer, A Belmond Train, which officially launches in July (more to follow on that next week).

From the menu of afternoon activities inspired by Belmond destinations, which ranged from tennis and foraging for the more active, to lounging by the pool or sketching in the grounds, I chose the latter and enjoyed an afternoon doodle in an attempt to rekindle my love of drawing from my A Level Art days (far more distant memories than I’d care to admit).

The hour passed too quickly but enjoyably before we regrouped for the educational sessions, led by Poppy Delbridge, founder of Rapid Tapping, and a panel discussion on ‘Shaping the Future of Sustainable Luxury’, all held outside in the fresh air. The day ended with another glass of French Bloom or rosé in the sunshine, before we departed, feeling reconnected and refreshed and with a spring in our steps.

The whole experience, from the initial email through to the surprise gift in the post, excellently curated agenda and thoughtful gift bags designed to enable guests to continue to embrace the slower pace at home, was slick, very on brand, and in keeping with the theme for the day. And getting a bunch of busy event and travel professionals to slow down for the day is no mean feat either. Bravo Belmond! And thank you Perrine for the invite!

Here’s a few snaps from the day…

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