Welsh singer Charlotte Church has personally invested more than half a million pounds to sustain her holistic wellness retreat in Powys, while simultaneously launching a new online spiritual course for her followers. This move comes as the venture, named The Dreaming, faces significant financial challenges, with reported debts now exceeding £800,000.
A Retreat Rooted in Nature and Spirituality
Church, 39, established The Dreaming at Rhydoldog House after purchasing the property in the quiet village of Cwmdauddwr in 2021. The retreat spans 40 sprawling acres and is designed as a sanctuary for alternative spiritual practices. Its annual programme includes various workshops, with the singer personally managing sessions labelled as 'witchcraft'.
Her latest initiative is an eight-chapter online course titled 'The Dreaming of the Earth'. Promoted on the retreat's official Instagram, Church describes it as a "land led" journey. "Across these chapters, you are invited into a slower, softer rhythm of being," she told her audience, promising elements of ritual, imagination, and intimate practice.
Financial Strain and Determined Investment
Despite the idyllic setting, the business is under considerable financial pressure. The most recent accounts filed at Companies House reveal that The Dreaming Ltd is £811,626 in debt, an increase from £707,550 in 2024.
Church's commitment to the project is evident in the capital she has injected. Accounts show that £610,149 has been pumped into the retreat from two of her associated firms: Charlotte Church Ltd, which is owed £516,563, and Chick Flicks Ltd, owed £93,586.
This investment comes despite the singer's past comments about her finances. Although she previously stated she was "not a millionaire anymore" and downsized her home, accounts for Charlotte Church Ltd show it retains healthy reserves of £3,099,848.
Course Structure and Community Support
The new online course is structured with a tiered pricing model to promote accessibility. It offers three price points:
- £90 for 'supported access', aimed at those facing financial strain.
- £150 as a 'sustainable price' for the financially stable.
- £220 to 'pay it forward' for those in a secure financial position.
The retreat's operations are also supported by a team of volunteers. In exchange for garden and maintenance work, Church provides them with accommodation, food, and what she calls "time immersed in the magic" of the location.
The journey to create this green retreat has not been without its hurdles. After buying the £1.5 million Rhydoldog House with her husband Jonathan Powell, Church faced numerous building problems and planning battles to transform the property into a venue that can host up to 16 guests seeking to reconnect with nature.
