Business Spotlight: Wonderful Escapes at Wern-y-Cwm Farm

Wonderful Escapes at Wern-y-Cwm Farm is a luxury retreat in Monmouthshire, set on a historic farm with 30 acres of meadows and woodlands. With self-contained accommodation, wellness amenities like a sauna and natural swimming pool, and a Farm Kitchen serving seasonal, locally sourced meals, it’s designed for retreats, group getaways, and reconnecting with nature.

We caught up with founder Laura Tenison, founder and former CEO of JoJo Maman Bébé, about her journey from fashion success to nature-led retreats, her passion for Welsh tourism, and her mission to transform the farm into a haven of biodiversity and wellness...

Can you tell us about Wonderful Escapes and what inspired you to create it?

About eight years ago, I purchased Wern-y-Cwm Farm on the edge of the Skirrid in Monmouthshire. I wanted to create a space where people could learn to breathe again and properly relax to escape the stresses of daily life and reconnect with nature.

Over the years, I’ve renovated the Grade Two listed farm into holiday and retreat accommodation. Today, we have 18 bedrooms - 14 of which are en-suite - across beautifully converted farm buildings. It’s now a place for wellness retreats, family gatherings, and meaningful escapes. 

What makes Wonderful Escapes unique is the harmony of comfort and nature. Guests can enjoy outdoor saunas and swimming, spaces for yoga or storytelling, and wholesome meals from our Farm Kitchen, crafted with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. It’s a place to pause, recharge, and experience the simple joys of life.

You have a deep connection to this area. What is it about Monmouthshire that makes it so special to you?

I grew up here, and my childhood was full of freedom with long summers spent exploring nature with friends. That sense of safe, independent adventure is something many children miss out on today. I truly believe both kids and adults benefit from unplugging and spending time outdoors, simply exploring and connecting with nature.

Wern-y-Cwm Farm is tucked away on a quiet, one-mile dead-end lane, surrounded by wildlife. Guests often spot red kites soaring overhead, deer wandering nearby, wildflowers in bloom, and dozens of bumblebee species. It’s a rare opportunity to reconnect with the natural world in a very tangible, restorative way.

Before launching Wonderful Escapes, you founded JoJo Maman Bébé. What lessons did you bring with you into this new venture?

At JoJo, I made it a point to understand every part of the business, I never asked anyone to do a job I wouldn’t try myself. That hands-on approach has carried through to Wonderful Escapes. Even now, you’ll find me gardening, handling property repairs, or tweaking the website.

We’re a small team - just three full-time staff, including me - so everyone pitches in. At JoJo, I spent 30 years growing the company, but I started each department myself and made a point of hiring people who were experts in their fields. That philosophy has stayed with me ever since.

How do you balance wellness, adventure, and immersive experiences at the farm?

Everything we do is completely bespoke, there are no pre-set packages. Whether guests are here for a family holiday, a wellness retreat, or a team-building session, we tailor the experience to their needs.

One week, we might host a large family honouring the memory of a loved one; the next, a team from a business in Bristol could arrive for a two-day retreat, spending one day on work and the next on wellness. We offer everything from guided mountain hikes to sauna sessions, massages, and even drumming or foraging workshops - often in partnership with local specialists. It’s all about creating meaningful, memorable experiences for every guest.

You also have a farm kitchen, can you tell us more about that?

Absolutely! One of our key goals is to operate as a circular economy business, sourcing and using as much as possible from the farm and the surrounding area. We grow our own vegetables, forage wild garlic, herbs, nuts, and berries, and work with local producers for meats and other ingredients.

Abergavenny is a real foodie hub, thanks in large part to the Abergavenny Food Festival, so many of our guests really appreciate knowing where their food comes from. While we can’t source everything on-site, we do our best to keep it sustainable, local, and seasonal whenever possible.

What inspired you to join GlobalWelsh, and how does the network support you?

I was born and raised in Wales but spent much of my childhood abroad due to my father’s work. I’ve always identified as a proud Welsh European. The Brexit vote was deeply upsetting for me - our young people lost easy access to opportunities like Erasmus, working abroad, or even summer jobs in Europe.

Organisations like GlobalWelsh are so important. They help keep Wales connected, outward-looking, and engaged on a global scale. We may be a small country, but we have a big heart and we belong on the world stage.

 What’s your long-term vision for Wonderful Escapes?

My number one goal is to restore Wern-y-Cwm Farm’s biodiversity to something close to what it might have been 150 years ago. That doesn’t mean extreme rewilding, I believe sustainable meat production still has an important role in Wales, but I want the land to become a thriving haven for wildlife on the edge of the Skirrid.

At the same time, I want to continue welcoming guests from all walks of life - whether for wellness retreats, family holidays, or team-building getaways. We offer a flexible range of accommodation, from cosy cottages for two to larger spaces for groups, and aim to provide private experiences alongside shared access to our wellness facilities.

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