An authentic Keralan experience to remember.

Delicious plant-based and vegetarian food.

To immerse yourself in painting and the beauty of India.

To begin painting or to rekindle your love for painting in a supportive group of maximum 8 people with individual tutoring whilst using high quality materials.

To really enjoy the process and return home with more confidence, tips and tools to help you continue a painting practise.

Strengthen or start a yoga practise with an experienced and supportive  hatha yoga teacher. 

Swim and take long walks on a deserted beach steps away from your balcony. 

Relax and slow down whilst feeling inspired, alive and cared for with like minded people

Free day to relax with optional yoga and open access to studio.

All materials, meals and excursions included.

GILL, Spain-UK

”I had a wonderful time on the retreat! There was so much to see and do I found I needed to pace myself (as I'm no spring chicken 😘) but Annabel and Raquel put together a wonderful week of art and yoga and a fantastic balance of activities and teaching, I learned and experienced so much. Thank you! Staying with Rosie and Nazir at the Beachhouse was amazing too, they are truly wonderful hosts and the authentic home cooked keralan food was incredible. As my first and maybe only experience of India it was absolutely unforgettable and I will treasure the memories. I am so grateful to everyone involved. 🙏🏻 Although it feels like a once in a lifetime experience, I hope I can return one day, who knows what the future will bring. 🙏🏻”

KATY, UK

“Annabel is a very generous teacher. The art retreat was so varied in the material she offered. There is so much on offer and It is very experimental. From mixed media, to collage, paper making and watercolour and demonstrations along the way and inspiring slide shows. You are held and supported along the way. Raquel is also a very generous, giving yoga teacher and the morning sessions really set you up well for the creative day ahead. Rosi is the most amazing hostess at the homestay. Nothing is too much trouble and she is so knowledgable. She will help with travel arrangements and local trips. Not forgetting the absolutely delicious food! You are certainly well looked after on this retreat. Lastly the position of the homestay is so beautiful and peaceful (except for the fireworks when festivals are on!)”

DIERDRE, USA

“What a well conceived well crafted retreat, in details and execution..from the place choosen, with its beach setting, delicious and nutritious Keralan meals, well stocked plein air style art studio, inspirational cultural events, yoga sessions amidst the coconut forests and at night time candlelit on the beach by the Arabian Sea, and the teachings of the chakras to mirror the 7 days.

I was aware of and enjoyed such comfort with the attentiveness of both Annabel and Raquel, who responded to the individual requests of the 8 artists- be it about art, yoga, physical needs, engagement style, emotional stirrings, tuktuk requests and so much more.

I felt we formed into an open, warm and caring group in response to how you both held the retreat. I loved all that I learnt.”

MELISSA, USA

“If India was not so far away, I would definitely do this retreat over and over again!

Annabel and Raquel are a great team! They combine their artistic and yoga talents beautifully and top it off with their shared kindness, genuine care for their students and respect for the environment. Annabel exposed us to several different approaches to painting and mixed media along with some art education and Raquel guided us through nurturing yoga stretches, mediations and beautiful chanting sessions. Together, they took us on a few field trips where we were able to interact with locals and learn more about the culture while painting or sketching along the way.

Rosie, the host of the guest house, makes you feel at home in her rustic setting by a seaside forest. She and her staff prepared amazing meals for us from which we learned about and tasted different Indian specialties and spices. We greatly appreciated how Rosie and her family often joined us for meals and tolerated all our questions and curiosities about life in India.

The retreat provided an intimate experience in creativity and self-care while navigating our way through a foreign land.”

VANESSA, UK

”I absolutely loved the retreat, as a professional artist myself, I found your approach refreshing, and I learnt a few new tricks, thank you for your very generous teaching. I think my favourite tip was the glazing one and I loved the principles of making good paper. I really enjoyed Raquel's Yoga and meditations especially on the beach!”

SALLY, UK

”Thanks to Annabel & Raquel's total care-giving from the heart I had the best time ever on the retreat. Starting as someone new to painting and little experience of yoga I never felt uncomfortable, in fact I felt very welcomed and accepted. For me learning new aspects of painting, mixed with the invitation to experiment was very exciting and freeing. I left inspired and full of curiosity to develop my new knowledge.

The yoga practice was equally well planned and delivered with such a calm and deep level of skill and modelling. I felt so privileged to have been part of this first retreat with such amazing tutors. There was not a single thing I would change. It fed my soul, my body and my creativity. Thank you so much. “

Our group came together very quickly and i immediately felt a part of a special group of people. Anyone in need of nuturing their creativity and their soul should come on this retreat. I loved the journey through the chakras. Everyday the yoga class varied and i loved it. Raquel is an excellent teacher who put us at ease with her lovely voice and warm spirit. 

I loved the workshops, they were very well planned and totally engaging, with helpful and fun excercises. Tons of materials to use, free use of everything in the art space, lots of one-to-one help and advice.

Location of the art space was wonderful, and I felt I had enough space to work in. I learnt alot in a week. Loved every second of this. Excursions were interesting and fun, and added variation to the days. Thank you both for making this such a special amd memorable trip.

Charlotte UK

If you got your head spinning with ideas and colour the yoga was there to ground you. The gentle nature of Annabel was encouraging, with guidance that gave confidence. I particularly liked that each one was encouraged to their own style. 

Both of you gave it your all and took care of all our needs with love and generosity.

Julia, France

I felt more and more relaxed as the days went on. It's a very magical place. Very nice yoga classes, calm and powerful at the same time....Thank you!

Paul, France

At the end of the retreat I am left with a strong sense of the richness of the experience, thank you for your generosity and the feeling of abundance.

The yoga was professional, expert, flexible. Raquel is also kind and I liked the way she adjusted my pose.

Good balance of excursions and workshops, I have learnt SO much. Annabel is so encouraging. I felt she "saw" me and me in my work. Her many suggestions added light, depth, complexity and beauty to all my paintings. 

Penny. UK 

Excellent food, wonderful company. A lot of nature..combination of painting and yoga- "it was perfect"

Hans, Germany 

It was the best decision to go to India with you. You both are so lovely and caring and I felt comfortable from the 1st minute. The Beach House was also a perfect place and there is nothing I would complain about. 

The painting classes were well structured and very stimulating. I learnt alot and definitely will continue to do some of the things at home.

Birgitta, Germany

Peaceful, relaxed, timeless.Fabulous! So much shared and taught!

Glen, Spain

• A sketchbook (paper must be over 200 grams ideally suitable for mixed media and water based paints)

• At least 3 to 4 different sized watercolour brushes. Sizes 6/8/12/24

• A container for water (for watercolour excursions)

• Suitable light clothing for painting
  
  All other materials will be provided, including a set of watercolours, abundant acrylic paint, different papers and many tools.
  

The Beach House is in Thottada, which is about 7 km from Kannur railway and bus station. Once in Thottada, head straight for the beach, where the beach house is located, set back from the sand over a small bridge beside the river.

By Air

Kannur is situated in Northern Kerala, just below Goa on the West coast of India.

It's a little off the beaten track, which makes it very special with very few tourists. pristine beaches and kind people.

The journey can be long, so if traveling from abroad, I advise you to come a few days earlier, so you can unwind and relax beforehand and make the most of the workshops when the retreat begins.

Guests should be able to check in 2 or 3 days early but please let us know in advance as the beach house gets booked up.

Skyscanner is a great website to easily compare prices and try different destination airports and timings for your travels.

The nearest airport is Kannur. Calicut is 155kms away and Mangalore 115kms.

Perhaps the best option is to book your international flight to a major Indian airport and then independently book your ongoing flight to Kannur.

London to Calicut via Doha on Qatar Airways.

At the moment a new road is being built and the journey from Calicut will be 4 hours taxi drive to The Beach House, taxis can be arranged.

Malaga to Mumbai with Turkish Airways and then an internal flight with Indigo Airlines to Kannur or Mangalore.

London to Goa with Turkish Airways

Internal flight with Indigo to Kannur or Mangalore.

If you have time you can take a train between Kannur and Goa, which is a pleasant trip.

London to Kochi is often an economical option.

From Kochi, catch an internal flight or the fast train from Kochi to Kannur, which takes 3 hours. Flight is approx 1 hour.

USA to Kochi or Bangalore. Internal flight or train to Kannur.

In India it's common to travel overnight by bus or train, covering many kms while you sleep in a bed.

The location address is needed for your immigration card, which will be handed out to you to fill in on the flight.

Rosi and Nazir
Kannur Beach House, Thottada Beach Road, Near Aadi Kadalai, Kannur, Kerala, India
Tel:

Please feel free to check out reviews of The Beach House on TripAdvisor.

You can change money at the airport often without commission. There are also ATMs at the airports and in most towns. Please let your bank at home know that you will be traveling so that your debit/credit cards are not blocked , and it's a good idea to bring 2 incase one doesn't work.
Lots of shops and restaurants accept credit cards.
Withdrawal is up to 10,000 rupees at a time at ATMs

Wifi is available at The Beach House.
However, if the internet is important to you then I would advise buying a roaming package of data from your mobile company before traveling. This can be very useful during stop overs and assures good coverage at all times.
A cheaper option is to buy an Indian Sim Card which includes data when you arrive. It's possible to buy one at some Indian airports or you can take a ricksaw to the Airtel office in Kannur during your first days. Allow some time for this.

This is advised. Kerala has excellent hospitals, doctors and dentists and of course Ayurvedic treatments.