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. “

Rosi and Nazir describe their beach house as a 'simple family homestay overlooking Thottada beach and river.'

The Beach House is not a 'resort' stay, it is a rustic and authentic traditional Kerala family home set in an open forest with lots of shade and birdsong. A secluded and tranquil setting perfect for relaxing and creativity.

There is wifi, but no televisions in the bedrooms!

Each room is minimal, with 2 single beds or a double, locally woven cotton sheets, with beautiful antique wooden doors and shutters. The room has a ceiling fan, and some are fitted with air conditioning.

With over 730 reviews and a 5-star rating, Kannur Beach House has been featured in The Guardian.

It's a beautiful place, one that you will not forget easily, and we will have lots of memorable shared moments in this green tropical paradise.

Guests and travellers (similar to myself) return year after year and become not only charmed by the idyllic setting and the delicious food, but also by Rosi and Nazir themselves, who effortlessly meet every guest's needs with patience and a relaxed, efficient and cheerful manner. Their friendly and open attitude seems to be infectious, and a magnet to attract interesting guests from far and wide. Meals are around a long table so all guests can meet each other.

For the retreat each participant will have their own room, unless they would like to share. Rooms have a balcony with table and chairs and a gorgeous view of the Arabian sea through the tropical trees, (alive with many varieties of birds and butterflies) . Your own bathroom with a shower is attached.

A few steps away from the house is a pristine white sandy beach, which is practically deserted, perfect for swimming and taking long walks in the mornings and early evenings whilst watching the sun setting.

At the Beach House there is a small kitchen for guest use and a washing machine.

A water filter is available for fresh drinking water.

Please do not drink tap water in India.

Rosi will help you with your travel plans to and from the airport, train or bus station. She will book tuk tuks and taxis.

This is the first time that The Beach House has hosted Annabel and Raquel with their workshop and retreat.

In the 7 days of the retreat, as their hosts, we observed how hard working, systematic and committed they were. Striving hard, way beyond the norm, to give their best, sensitive and caring to the needs and wants of their participants. They went out of their way in accommodating and making everyone feel comfortable.

Annabel is a gentle soul, kind and compassionate and giving. Raquel is genuine and committed to her profession. Unpretentious and sincere. Annabel and Raquel together bring a lot to this retreat

Annabel had a very structured approach to her workshops with techniques and tips everyday. The participantes were learning something new everyday and also given their own space to find themselves.

Raquel with her morning yoga based on the different chakras and evening yin yoga brought to the platform the sensitivity and flow that this method of yoga calls for. A perfect balance before and after a long day at the table with paints. The group also undertook some field trips and got to sed the varied and rich culture of the region.

• 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.
  

On the retreat we offer 3 nutritious and delicious vegan and vegetarian meals daily= breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Rosi works with a team to serve us colourful, traditional, tasty and varied meals.
Food is always authentic to the region, and often with an interesting story to tell.
Keralan food is known all over India for its creative blend of spices, grains, tapiocas, coconut, pulses, vegetables and cereals, its tropical fruits, ayurvedic cooling teas and homemade sweets.

The weather in Kannur is tropical in January, it's the most popular time to visit with temperatures reaching high 20's and sunshine every day.
There is a lovely sea breeze at The Beach House. Be prepared to feel the heat a little if you're not used to it.
Mosquito mesh is fitted on the windows of the bedrooms and plug in mosquito repellents are provided, but also bring spray on repellant for evening meals, which are served outside. However, mosquitos are not a huge problem.

Please bring a sunhat, flip flops or sandals, sarong, light beach towel, suncream and swimwear.

Modest clothing for excursions to respect cultural differences and traditions. A general rule is to cover shoulders and knees. Loose cotton tunic/ blouse or dress with loose trousers or long skirt is recommended.

Suitable clothing for yoga and cool clothing for painting and studio days.

During the retreat we will go on various fun and enjoyable excursions. You are encouraged to take your sketchbooks with you or to just soak in the atmosphere.

Theyyam Dance- the local religious ritual performance.
This is an early morning excursion, leaving at 4am.
It's very atmospheric, and will give you a taste of the spiritual folk traditions of this region of Kerala, with ornate and colourful costume, fire walking and dramatic dance and drumming, all on an open stage in the temple grounds.

Perlassery Temple Step Well. A very beautiful structure and the largest of it's kind in Kerala.

Loknath Weavers Co-operative Mill. Founded in 1955 this handloom weaving centre is one of the oldest co operatives in Kannur.

As part of the retreat you will be able to have a complimentary Ayurvedic Massage.

Ayurveda (so called 'the science of life') is the oldest and most holistic medical system available today. It is known as the ‘Mother of healing'

People in Kerala often invest time and funds every year to have a course of massages and holistic care which helps restore and revitalise their energy and raise their immunity for the coming year.

This centre is 15 minutes from the Beach House, making it very accessible.

For more information https://swasthyaspa.com/

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.

To travel to India you will need to apply for a visa. Please go to https//indianvisaonline.gov.in/

Please be sure it is this one, as there are others which charge a larger fee.
Please don't attempt to fill out the information on the visa application on your mobile, this process needs to be done on a computer.

Take your time, and apply at least 3 weeks before your travel dates.
To fill out the application, you will need a square passport sized photo of yourself, uploaded to your computer, a valid passport with at least 2 empty pages and an address in India (Kannur Beach House)

Apply for the tourist eVisa. You are free to choose the length of the visa.
Whilst applying, note down your Temporary Reference Number so that you can take your time and revisit the site, it will automatically save your info.
Once successfully submitted you will receive a Visa Application Reference Number and 3 to 5 days later an email saying your Visa has been approved. Your Visa should be attached to this email.
Please download and print this, so you can show it at airport check in and when you enter India. Having it on paper is very important.

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.