After weeks of festive merriment, Christmas indulgences and the euphoria of New Year’s Eve, January is traditionally not considered the cheeriest of months. So what better way to blow away the cobwebs and mentally prepare for 2026 than with a wholesome escape to the countryside?
With exactly this mission, team Tribe travelled to the Midlands in early January for a wellness weekend in a bid to clear our minds, nourish body and soul, and spend quality time with friends before life and our everyday routines begin in earnest once more.
With an average of two direct train connections per hour taking you out of London’s ‘big smoke’ straight to the rolling hills and clear air of rural Staffordshire in as little as 64 minutes, a wholesome wellness weekend is accessible to Londoners – requiring less time and logistics than some tube treks across the city.
Hopping off the train in Tamworth, we made our way straight to the historic Thorpe Estate – a short 15-minute drive from the station. The centuries-old working estate has been stewarded by the Inge family for more than 300 years – since 1631, to be exact – and borders Leicestershire, Warwickshire and Derbyshire, which puts the regal estate at the heart of the Midlands.
Within its 2,500 acres of land lies the gorgeous Constantine House, a boutique countryside retreat that has been lovingly renovated to offer a stylish and welcoming getaway where guests can admire the vast views across the four neighbouring counties, enjoy rejuvenating countryside walks, relax in the beautifully kept gardens or release tension during a private Pilates class held at the onsite Coconut Wellness Studio – more on which later!
As luck would have it, we arrived to bright blue skies and crisp winter air, which only enhanced the beauty of our surroundings. Taking in the sprawling valleys, picturesque nearby chapel and smattering of trees, we could feel our heads clearing instantly, a peaceful calm descending upon us.
At the centre of this idyllic rural scene sits Constantine House, a Victorian-era property that has been lovingly and tastefully renovated to embody modern countryside charm with its red brick walls and sleek slate roof, its sage-green front door adorned with a gorgeous hand-crafted wreath.
Sleeping up to 40 people at a time, Constantine House now boasts 21 bedrooms, a light and airy common room with floor-to-ceiling windows, and two lounge areas. With each of the bedrooms designed with a Scandi-cool-meets-British-country-chic aesthetic, and decked out with king-size beds, plush Hypnos mattresses, comfortable linens and soft pillows, we couldn’t wait to check in.
Hot tip? If you’re coming for a romantic escape to the country, the master suite has a free-standing bathtub indulgently placed in front of an alcove window – so you can soak up the views while soaking in the water.
After a leisurely stroll around the grounds, during which we visited the magical walled garden – spectacular even in its wintery slumber – we were ready to warm up with some hearty country pub fare.
Coming highly recommended, a short 10-minute drive down the road delivered us to The Green Man in Clifton Campville, a rising foodie destination that is putting the area firmly on the culinary map. A wellness weekend should be about balance, after all!
Here, we were graciously welcomed by Coconut Wellness Studios founder Jade Edwards, whose husband Jack runs the historic Coaching Inn dating all the way back to 1550. Adjacent to the main building sits bakery, café and deli store The Coach House, which also belongs to the Edwards family and serves up freshly baked goods, warm drinks and hearty country breakfasts – all made with local Staffordshire produce.
Stepping outside of the cold and inside the pub, we were instantly enchanted by the cosy, bustling dining room, the crackling fire radiating warmth and the mouthwatering scent of a classic British Sunday Roast drifting through the air.
We received a warm welcome from Jack, whose family has stewarded The Green Man for decades – and it was lovely to see Jack’s father pulling pints behind the bar to help with the busy weekend service, while Jade’s mother talked us through the menu.
Respectfully and elegantly renovated in 2023, the Tudor-era building effortlessly combines its traditional heritage – think wooden beams, exposed brickwork and natural stone flooring – with contemporary touches such as the fabulous pheasant wallpaper that we instantly coveted!
The same philosophy applies to The Green Man’s menu – authentic British food favourites elevated through local ingredients, modern techniques and artful presentation.
We started with the Wild Mushroom Pate and Roast Beetroot & Goats Cheese – and instantly, our minds were blown. The flavours, textures and presentation were beyond what we had expected even though we had been told that The Green Man’s gastronomic offering was a cut above your usual ‘pub grub’.
Miniature pickled Shimenji mushrooms sat prettily atop the light, cloud-soft pate accompanied by homemade soda bread with a crunchy crust, while the goats cheese melted away in a palette-pleasing embrace of sweet beetroot chunks and adorned with caramelised nuts and seeds.
Now even more excited for our main courses, we tucked into an outrageously tasty Roast Chicken Supreme with all the trimmings – including sides of honey-glazed carrots and cauliflower cheese – as well as a lighter option of Smoked Haddock served alongside a creamed leek and pea gratin, and new potatoes. Good to know: there were also vegetarian and gluten-free options in every section of the menu, from starters to mains and desserts.
After such a feast, we didn’t think we could possibly squeeze in a dessert as well – but upon Jack’s recommendation decided to share the Chocolate Mousse with blackberry jam and honeycomb. And thank the heavens that we did! Like each of the other dishes before, it was divine.
There was not much else for us to do than to head back to Constantine House and get comfy with a bottle of wine for a good chat in the alcove window of our room – and as if our getaway wasn’t already utterly blissful, the snow began to fall…
After a restful night’s sleep in our marshmallow-soft beds, when the morning light began to creep in through the curtains we got up to get ready for our private Pilates class with Jade. It was almost in passing that our eyes landed on a flash of blue sky and snow-covered grounds.
Sunshine! Snow! Clear blue skies! How could we possibly get so lucky…
Starting the day with a strong espresso and herbal cup of tea in Constantine House’s glass-fronted common room, the floor-to-ceiling windows really came into their own as we took in the pristine snow-covered fields spreading out in front of our very eyes.
Before we knew it, it was time to head outside to meet Jade in her gorgeous onsite studio for a thorough Pilates session. Just a short stroll across the lawn, we entered the boutique – and oh-so-chic – Coconut Wellness flagship studio, a Pilates and Barre lover’s dream with exposed brick walls and wooden beams, floating shelves, and the most beautiful reformers (sourced from Spain) you could imagine.
With her calm and assuring demeanour, Jade made us feel right at home from the second we walked in – even though one of us had decidedly not undertaken any proper form of exercise in well over a year…
Telling us more about her background, Jade explained, “I discovered Pilates after the birth of my first daughter while living in Australia. My body had been through such a huge transition, and Pilates gave me the support I didn’t realise I was missing – physically, mentally, and emotionally. What I loved most was how it helped me feel connected again. It wasn’t about ‘getting my body back’, but about feeling strong, capable, and at home in myself. It offered structure, calm, and a sense of grounding during a very full and transitional time.”
Acknowledging the profound impact her Pilates teacher had on her own sense of wellbeing, Jade decided she wanted to support others in the same way.
“I was fortunate to work with a wonderful teacher who completely changed how I understood movement and teaching. She taught with such care, precision. That experience stayed with me,” she said. “I realised I wanted to offer that same level of support and depth to others, not just teaching exercises, but helping people build confidence and trust in their bodies.”
Explaining why she chose to teach the classical Pilates method, Jade added, “There are many interpretations of Pilates today, ranging from contemporary fitness-led styles to more traditional approaches. The classical method follows the original work of Joseph Pilates as a structured, progressive system, rather than a collection of standalone exercises. It prioritises consistency, precision, and gradual progression, allowing the body to adapt and strengthen safely over time.
“From a teaching perspective, it offers a clear framework and language that supports long-term wellbeing rather than short-term trends. My teaching and beliefs have definitely evolved over time, and I’m so grateful to have originally trained with Joanne Cobb at J Pilates. She introduced me to classical equipment from the very beginning, meaning my apparatus training was traditional from the outset, even before I fully understood how different that foundation would prove to be.”
Gifted a pair of Coconut Wellness branded grippy socks, it was time to try some of the magnificent machines in the studio. Including reformers, towers, chairs, and mat work, Jade explained that when choosing equipment, quality and safety were “absolutely non-negotiable.”
“Our apparatus is handmade in Spain by Arregon Pilates, a manufacturer known for exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail. The equipment needs to support the body properly, move smoothly, and feel trustworthy, both for clients and teachers,” she added, revealing that Coconut Wellness also offers teacher training.
With genuine excitement, Jade proceeded to take us through a head-to-toe Pilates workout using reformers, Wunda chairs and a ladder barrel. Guiding us through each movement with care and encouragement, time flew by and before we knew it, we had been stretching, lengthening and strengthening our limbs for almost two hours in a complete state of flow.
Speaking of the multiple benefits Pilates offers for practitioners of any level, Jade explained, “Pilates helps you understand how you move and how your body responds, which is invaluable at any stage of life. Secondly, it enhances resilient strength – not just muscle strength, but strength that supports joints, posture, and daily life. And finally, it aids mental clarity and calm, as the focus and breathing within Pilates creates a powerful mind–body connection that supports nervous system regulation, stress reduction, and overall wellbeing.”
Completely converted, we left the session feeling energised – and more than a little bit pleased with our wholesome start to the new year. Sadly, our time in Staffordshire was coming to an end, and just like that our taxi arrived to collect us.
Feeling rejuvenated, relaxed and more than a little reluctant to get on the train home, we made our way back to London with the firm intention to return in the summer. To frolic in wildflower meadows, enjoy a dip in the Thorpe Estate’s soon-to-be opened swimming ponds, fill our boots at The Green Man, and work it all off with a session at Coconut Wellness.
Seriously, could you dream of a better country escape?
With huge thanks to our kind hosts Jade and Jack Edwards, Constantine House and the Thorpe Estate, Coconut Wellness Studios and The Green Man pub and restaurant.
