Noel Edmonds Emerges as Rival to Charlotte Church in Wellness Arena
Celebrity TV personality Noel Edmonds appears to be positioning himself as a competitor to singer Charlotte Church in the burgeoning wellness retreat industry. This development follows Edmonds' adoption of a holistic lifestyle on his expansive multimillion-pound estate in New Zealand, where he has become a prominent ambassador for wellness practices.
Contrasting Retreats: New Zealand vs Wales
Noel Edmonds, aged 77, and his wife Liz, 56, relocated to New Zealand in 2019, settling on a stunning 800-acre property. In contrast, Charlotte Church, 39, and her husband Jonathan Powell acquired Rhydoldog House, a £1.5 million mansion in Wales, in 2021. They transformed it into an eco-friendly retreat, which opened in 2023, designed to help guests reconnect with themselves and nature.
Charlotte Church's retreat features eight rooms accommodating up to 16 people, along with unique amenities such as a helicopter landing pad, a 200-year-old barn, a hot tub, a plunge pool, and an outdoor cinema. Additionally, it includes a Healing Room for activities like yoga, sound healing, and group work, complemented by gardens, a Potting Shed, a Japanese Tea House, and a Waterfall Shower. Guests can also enjoy cycling, archery, foraging, hiking, and strength conditioning lessons, with alternative spiritual sessions, including witchcraft, managed personally by Church.
Noel Edmonds' estate, named River Haven, boasts a restaurant, vineyard, pub, and wellness centre, showcasing his commitment to holistic living. He recently shared insights into his energy garden—a circular area with rocks and an energy bowl at its centre. After heavy rain, he excitedly noted how the bowl filled with water, describing it as positive energy. Edmonds attributes his health to Tranquil Power, a regimen involving slow, mindful exercises, cold showers, infrared saunas, meditation, and use of a £2,300 electro-magnetic mat, which he claims aided in cancer recovery.
Holistic Philosophies and Public Persona
Both stars have deeply embraced wellness philosophies. Edmonds follows an alkaline diet, avoiding red meat and focusing on fruits, nuts, and vegetables. He also practices cosmic ordering, a belief in manifesting desires through positivity, as detailed in his 2006 book, Positively Happy: Cosmic Ways To Change Your Life. He frequently updates fans on his New Zealand life via social media and a three-part series, Noel Edmonds' Kiwi Adventure, documenting his transition and business ventures, including winemaking.
Edmonds' eccentric behaviour has amused fans, notably his habit of wearing mismatched shoes, sparking social media discussions. Despite controversies, such as local disputes over his estate in Ngatimoti, he maintains a positive outlook, recently purchasing a home in the Isle of Man to split time between locations.
In summary, Noel Edmonds is carving out a niche in the wellness sector, rivaling Charlotte Church's established retreat. Their contrasting approaches—Edmonds with his tranquil power methods and New Zealand base, versus Church's Welsh green sanctuary—highlight a growing trend in celebrity-led holistic living, offering diverse options for wellness enthusiasts worldwide.
