Mama & MeRetreat

Mama & Me Retreat

Gentle sensory sessions for mums & babies in Tenterden, Kent

Nature-led play for your little one, a hot drink and a breather for you, and a calm space to connect with other mums. Come as you are.

See dates & book What happens in a session

Come as you are.

However your morning has gone, and whatever your baby needs, you’re both welcome here.

Mama & Me Retreat is a calm, welcoming space for you and your baby to slow down, connect and simply be.

Each week brings a new nature theme, from autumn leaves to spring flowers, with gentle sensory play your baby can explore at their own pace. It’s for you too. Join in as much or as little as you like, chat with other mums, or sit with a warm drink and enjoy your baby.

The yurt set for a session: quilted mats on burgundy rugs arranged in a circle, each with a basket of sensory toys, around a centrepiece of soft flower cushions

Inside a session

Gathered in the circle

Mats are laid around a themed sensory centrepiece, so every baby has room to reach, roll and discover while you stay close.

  • A new nature theme each weekGentle sensory play, beautifully set out and safe for little hands.
  • A hot drink and something sweetRefreshments for mums are included.
  • A small, relaxed groupEasy to settle in, easy to make friends.
  • Mats and resources providedBring your baby’s own blanket if you’d like.

Upcoming

Sessions & dates

Sessions run on Tuesdays in four-week blocks, with two sessions shaped around your baby’s stage. Some pay-as-you-go spaces are released for individual weeks.

10:30–11:30am

Mama & Me

Newborn to 14 months, or until confidently walking

Our usual session, with gentle sensory play, plenty to explore and space for mums to enjoy it too.

12:00–1:00pm

Newborn & Younger Baby

Newborn to 6 months

A slower, gentler pace for babies who aren’t on the move yet. Softer sensory experiences and plenty of room to feed, cuddle, pause or simply sit with your baby.

Same Mama & Me warmth, just a pace that suits their stage.

3Nov · 4 weeks

November block

Four cosy Tuesdays, each with its own theme:

  1. 3 NovCosy Bonfire Night
  2. 10 NovInto the Canadian Woodland
  3. 17 NovTales from the Riverbank
  4. 24 NovUnder the Stars, with Kippy’s Pottery Painting Studio

For our final week, Kippy’s Pottery Painting Studio is joining us with a lovely selection of pottery to paint, perfect for Christmas keepsakes and gifts. The session is included in your ticket as usual, and any pieces you’d like to paint are paid for separately.

10:30am · 0–14 months12:00pm · 0–6 months
£60for 4 sessions Book
22Dec · 90 mins

Christmas Special

A cosy Christmas world for you and your little one, with festive sensory play to explore at your own pace. Warm up with a hot chocolate and a sweet treat, make a Christmas craft together, and enjoy a few little surprises along the way.

10:30am–12:00pm · 0–14 months1:00–2:30pm · 0–6 months

Just 12 places in each session

£25per mum & baby Book

Bookings and payments are handled securely through Bookwhen. Look out for seasonal specials too, like our autumn Pumpkin Patch session.

Natalie smiling and holding a pink mug inside the yurt, ribbons overhead

Your host

Hello, I’m Natalie

I’m a psychodynamic counsellor and a mama. I created Mama & Me Retreat to honour the early years: a place where mums can feel held while they hold their babies, and where little ones can explore through calm, nature-led play.

I took my own daughter to lots of mum and baby groups, and I loved them. But in those very early days, before babies are on the move, their wake windows are short and so much of their time is spent sleeping. Busy, noisy groups could feel a bit overwhelming for me as a new mum, and even in a lovely sensory room you can turn up with just your baby and still feel quite alone.

Adjusting to life as a new mum can be lonely at times. I wanted to create something for mums in that season: a calm, gentle space where you can feel held, meet other mums, and simply be however you need to be.

If you’re thinking of joining us, drop me a message to say hello. I’d love to know your name, your baby’s name and a little bit about you both before welcoming you along.

Psychodynamic counsellorMumTenterden local
Natalie playing with two babies on a jungle-themed sensory mat full of soft animals The whole yurt ready for a session, ribbons overhead and mats around the sensory centrepiece Pumpkin Patch special: a farmyard sensory centrepiece with a toy barn, soft pumpkins and animals on artificial grass Pumpkins and hay bales outside the yurt, overlooking the farm Colourful ribbons and fairy lights hanging from the roof of the yurt

Visiting

A few things to know

Parking

Free parking right outside, with a short path up to the yurt. If you’d like a hand with your baby or bags from the car, just ask. I’m always happy to come out and help.

Prams & car seats

You’re very welcome to bring car seats inside. Prams can come up the path too, and I’ll help you fold them away inside so they’re out of the way.

Changing & toilet

Baby changing happens in the yurt, where there’s a changing mat and a basket of nappies, wipes and essentials in case you’ve forgotten anything. There’s also a toilet on site for mums.

Running late?

Please don’t worry. I know how often a nappy change or a feed happens just as you’re leaving. Come whenever you arrive, even if it’s halfway through. It’ll be lovely to see you.

What to bring

Just yourselves. Each space is set up with a yoga mat and a soft baby mat on top. Feel free to bring your baby’s own blanket and any other essentials you’d usually take out with you.

Who it’s for

Babies from birth to around 14 months, or until confidently walking.

Questions

Good to know

My baby is very young. Is it too early?

Not at all. Sessions are designed for babies from birth, and the play is gentle and age-appropriate. Little ones often have short wake windows, so if yours spends the session snoozing, that’s fine too. It’s a chance for you to have a hot drink made for you, and to sit and chat with other mums while you cuddle your baby.

What if my baby is unsettled or needs a feed?

That’s completely fine. There’s no pressure to join in with everything. Feed, cuddle or take a break whenever you need to.

Which session should I choose?

If your baby is under 6 months and not yet on the move, the 12:00 Newborn & Younger Baby session is slower and gentler. The 10:30 session suits babies from newborn until they’re confidently walking.

Can I come to just one session?

Most places are booked as a four-week block, and a few pay-as-you-go spaces are released for single weeks. Check the booking page for availability. If you can’t see what you’re after, drop me a message and I’ll see what I can do.

Is it suitable in winter?

Yes. The heaters are on throughout the colder months, so it stays warm and cosy. It’s shoes off in the yurt to keep the mud outside, so bring a pair of cosy socks or even your slippers. I’ll be wearing mine!

Find us

The Yurt
Appledore Road, Tenterden
Kent TN30

Full directions and parking details are sent when you book.

Get in touch

Phone
07857 159960