MareGold Retreat Centre
The Location
The MareGold Retreat Centre is located on 32 acres of stunning oceanfront property in the village of Victoria Beach, 30 kilometres from the town of Annapolis Royal, in the southern Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia.
MareGold Retreat Centre welcomes guests who are looking for something beyond the ordinary: a place to immerse themselves in beautiful natural surroundings while taking part in guided retreats and short educational programs or just taking time out to refresh and rejuvenate. The Centre also provides an outdoor performance space for concerts, theatre events and other offerings.
The Environment
Guests can explore a stimulating variety of settings—from an oceanfront of private coves, cobbled beaches and waterfalls to an old-growth beech forest. Built structures blend into the natural environment with many of the materials coming from reclaimed sources. Guests have access to herb and vegetable gardens, the pond, outside kitchen, trails and an earth-sheltered greenhouse. Many animals and birds make MareGold their home. Deer, owls, bobcats, hares, porcupine, eagles, a nesting pair of falcons and may more. During your walk in the woods or just gazing from the platform you are sure to encounter these creatures. The entire MareGold property is non-smoking.
Retreats/Programs
The MareGold Retreat Centre offers programming that reflects its philosophy. There are four directions of events; health and wellness, arts and music, Education and building and community. All activities promote healing and spiritual growth while preserving and enhancing the natural environment. Retreats and courses encourage healthy living through organic gardening, yoga, meditation and various healing modalities; creative exploration through writing, painting and local traditional crafts; and the revival of forgotten trades. Empowering people to do it themselves whether is it developing a herbal garden or building a full cabin.
Classes/groups come together in the rustic meeting buildings, outdoor meeting spaces overlooking the Bay of Fundy and in other woodland natural settings.
Accommodations
Guests can choose from a variety of cabins built in private settings around the property. Each cabin is individually designed to align with the natural environment, whether situated on a cliff to take advantage of the ocean view or nestled in a wilderness sanctuary. Each cabin is individually designed and built using locally milled lumber and as many reclaimed materials as possible.
When not in use by retreat/program participants the cabins are offered for rent as weekend getaways or for a longer term lease.
Bookshop/General store
MareGold Bookstore sells books based on retreats of the centre as well as a wide range of subjects such as gardening, mindfulness, off-grid living, cooking and baking, homesteading, building, herbs, nature and the environment.
The General Store offers herbs, creams, health products, books, clothing, household items and antiques, as well as a unique line of crafts including Lishnyks (wool blankets with healing properties).
