Mercedes is Co-Founder and Creative Director of the award-winninf Yeotown Health Retreat in Devon, and the recently launched Yeotown Kitchen on Chiltern Street in London.
Winner of the Tatler “Life Changin Spa Award” and CondeNast Traveller “Best Spa Retreat UK”, Yeotown is located in beautiful, unspoilt North Devon.
Yeotown is an authentically British haven, where ancient wisdom fuses beautifully with a forward thinking attitude towards health, healing and fitness. There is no denying that what you get from this sanctuary in Devon is an opportunity to transform your life whilst being nurtured in the comfort of ‘a home away from home’.
Yeotown is an aesthetically stylish yet authentically comfortable retreat set deep within the lush, green rolling hills of North Devon. Our doors are wide open and we graciously invite you to expand your awareness, fine tune your balance and increase your levels of health, vitality and even spiritual curiosity. At Yeotown, we’re raising the bar and leading the way to a healthier Britain. It is our aim to encourage total wellness; strong in body, clear in mind and balance in being. Yeotown is a quintessentially British experience serving up the best in stylishly modern, healthy & balanced living.
We all know that without our health nothing else matters and that’s why we at Yeotown have created our signature MindBody programme, The Yeotox. A modern day approach to a traditional detox, our 5 day programme is more focused on what you will gain versus what you will lose. At the heart of the Yeotown ethos is the belief that true health must be cultivated in both body and mind in equal measure, and that health and happiness won’t necessarily be waiting for you at the bottom of that next mean, green, chia seed spirulina smoothie! A personalised programme designed to produce results so that by the end of your stay you will feel better than ever having cleansed your physical and spiritual systems, and lightened your body and mind of the unnecessary clutter that no longer serves you. In terms of weight loss, we are more concerned about losing the weight of the being versus solely focusing on losing the weight of the body.
Think vigorous, life affirming coastal hikes, energising morning yoga classes, evening restorative stretches, mindfulness meditation and other inspiring activities. Days also vary with other fun sessions such as surfing, archery, cycling, coasteering, cooking lessons, boxing and fitness training. Top off each day in the wood fired, outdoor hot tub overlooking the fields followed by a delicious deep tissue, shiatsu or thai massage and you have an effective, inspiring recipe for optimal health and wellbeing! A challenging five days that will push you beyond what you thought you were capable of. There’s nothing better than feeling this healthy, this invigorated, this relaxed. Five days at Yeotown will leave you feeling calm, strong and alive.
After numerous awards and accolades, Yeotown has grown from strength to strength over the past 7 years. Mercedes & Simon felt the time was right to expand the Yeotown brand into London in the form of an eatery and mindfulness space.
More than just a healthy eatery, Yeotown Kitchen: Fuel for Body & Mind embodies the Yeotown ethos of the importance of cultivating both physical and mental health for truly optimised wellbeing; Strong in Body, Clear in Mind! Its Scratch Kitchen, Meditation Station & Juice Bar space hosts both a take-away side and an eat-in table service. If you’re on the go, head straight to the take-away counter where you can grab delicious, nutritious food, organic coffees and specialty lattes alongside handmade custom smoothies and organic freshly pressed juices. If you have more time, you’re invited to take a seat, relax and let your senses revel in the mindful surroundings, healthy food and detoxifying tonics. All while being looked after by our friendly Yeotown Kitchen team.
Alongside a thoughtfully-concocted food and beverage menu, the two-level space includes our unique, trend setting “Meditation Station” with mood-boosting meditation pods to nurture the mind & spirit. Customers can relax and recharge with any of Yeotown’s 5-minute guided meditations including:
The Basic Break: For a quick rejuvenation in mind, body and being
The Bravery Break: For a boost of courage and confidence (perhaps pre-meeting/ presentation/date)
The Beauty Break: To encourage self-love and finding beauty within
The Brain Break: To soothe anxiety, gain better clarity and perspective
The Balance Break: To restore focus, direction and equilibrium
Elements of positive psychology and personal touches are infused throughout every aspect of the ambiance and decor of the space, with loving attention paid to detail. Thoughtfully integrated messages complement carefully crafted products, with drinks and dishes named after character strengths such as Patience, Courage, and Creativity.
September opening hours are:
Mon-Fri: 07:30 – 21:00
Sat: 09:00 – 18:00
Sun: 09:00 – 17:00
Yeotown Kitchen is also now available on Deliveroo in London
At the heart of Yeotown and Yeotown Kitchen are Mercedes & her husband Simon Sieff. Founded upon their mutual love of fitness, wholesome energy enhancing foods, wellbeing and the great outdoors, in 2010 they transformed their much loved 200yr old country farmhouse into Britain’s leading health retreat.
Simon and Mercedes are very hands on at the retreat and divide their time between London and Devon with their two little girls.