Testimonials

This was my first time at a 'boot camp' type retreat and I absolutely loved it. Katie and her team are so encouraging and supportive, you really want to do another press up, one more squat or box '1-2 Power' again.
The beauty of Apples and Pears is the variety of exercise you get to try. I'm a terrible swimmer (panicky in the water so haven't been in a pool for years) but with Sabine's patience I made progress. I've now signed up for a course of lessons.
I was lucky enough to be with a group of motivated 'retreaters' which certainly helps, as well as great weather and a stunning location. I'd certainly recommend Apples and Pears to anyone wanting to lose weight and improve their fitness. Just be aware when Pete says you're about to do something 'cheeky' it will be probably hurt but the sense of achievement is huge!
I've already make by next booking with Katie...

This surpassed my expectations. I went on my first "boot camp" with slight nervousness as I would not consider myself particularly fit, and do not come in the "young" age category any more.
The group of 15 "campers" were great fun, Katie made it all work smoothly and the personal trainers, chef, swimming coach and nutrition advisor all added to the very professional nature of the retreat.
I have never worked so hard on a holiday, but the results were quite staggering, not only for me, but all my fellow participants. I am now fitter and leaner, I have a better understanding of nutrition and I have improved my swimming, which I always thought I was good at...now I am even better!
It is worth the money and you will come back chilled out, fitter and generally more able to take what life throws at you. PAULA

I had a great time and met alot of nice likeminded people, it was hard work but you always had a sense of achievement at the end of each day. Katie had a great team on Personal Trainers (Pete, Woody, Dave, Sabina and John) who always new when to push you and had a great cook (San) who provided great meals so you never felt hungry. Katie is always around to answer any questions and take some sessions. I cant recommend Apples and Pears anymore if your after a great enviroment to lose weight and improve your fitness. Stuart Day (I lost 15lbs)

I recently spent a week at Apples & Pears and had the best time of my life. It was hard work but the support of Katie and her team and the other visitors was tremendous.

apples and pears retreat was an experience well worth having, it was hard and tiring but the rewards were worth it, Katie and her team were very encouraging and supportive. The manor house was lovely, the only bad point for me was the bathrooms need updating! We met some really nice ladies and had some good fun during the time there, all in all a great experience

It was going to be tough, but I was up for it! I needed some fresh invigorating air and an escape from the rush hour! The weather was beautiful every single day and all the outdoor activities were brilliant! I loved the 15 mile hill trek and the bike ride. And when it came to boxing and cicuit training, I couldn't get enough! At the end of it I lost 6lb and squeezed back into my skinny jeans. Result!

Katie Duncan has pulled together a talented friendly team and placed them in absolutely charming surroundings to provide a life changing experience to those of us lucky enough to choose it! I looked at all the other options but this appealed to me as a nice alternative to a hard-core "boot camp" experience. And what an amazing week! Some long-term aches and pains have totally disappeared - that alone would have made it worthwhile! I've realised I really don't need the huge portions I've been eating lately. The food on offer was good-quality and although it didn't appear to be enough, to my amazement I was only ever a bit hungry just before a meal or the well-timed snacks. The huge range of activities means there's something for everyone and also provides a good "taster" for those previously untried. I can say from personal experience that if anyone has special requirements, Katie will come up with an activity that will meet their needs. She's full of great ideas and really keeps everyone motivated. Harriet is one of the best massage therapists I ever encountered! Sabine's aqua aerobics will wake you up in the mornings and her swimming lessons helped everyone improve or maybe even swim for the very first time! It's been a great kick-start to better living. Thanks guys!

Thank you so much A&P and Katie for a life changing experience! I went to Dorset looking to kickstart my fitness, get my yo-yoing weight under control and relax. I succeeded in all of those things, had more fun that I possibly could anticipate, surrounded by great like-minded people and with inspirational trainers and coaches.
I lost 8 pounds and 5 inches and, almost a week after leaving A&P, have had absolutely no sugar cravings at all(I have the sweetest tooth of anyone I know....). Yes, some of the sessions were hard but all the coaches found some humour when the proverbial hit the fan and the group helped each other through. We all had activities that we found hard but we all got through them with a huge sense of achievement. A special thank you to the wonderful Sabine who, in 3 sessions, cured a lifelong water phobia and had me happily swimming front crawl!
You get the results that you want at A&P, in a beautiful location, the best ever staff, you never remotely have the possibility of getting bored and I never felt hungry once. Honestly. And that comes from someone who loves her food.
Thank you so much Katie, Duncan, Matt, Sabine, John, Harriet and San for one of the best times that I've had in years.

Just came back from a much needed week here re-energised and ready to take on the world. As well as the amazing scenery, homely countryside, brilliant people, I also lost 12 pounds and my energy levels are through the roof. Who thought you could get such results without being shouted at with men in army fatigues! Seriously, if you want to lose weight, get fit and better results than any other boot camp but in such a way that is almost feels like a holiday - come to Apples and Pears.

I did it! I stuck to a healthy eating and exercise programme for a week and did not cheat once. I was the most motivated I have ever been in my life. Although my weight loss journey will be long, coming to the retreat has helped me realise that it is definitely achievable. Thank you Apples and Pears."

Stunning countryside and a homely farmhouse looked the perfect retreat to escape the mundaneness of everyday life, lose a little weight and kick-start a good exercise routine. In reality it was exactly as the website promised and more, a sanctuary where I could concentrate wholly on me for a week. I hate exercise with a passion and found the first two days incredibly hard but Katie was there every step of the way ensuring that I never felt overwhelmed. By the end of the week I had lost over 5lbs and 5?, realised that I eat far too much carbohydrate at home, discovered that I actually like aqua aerobics and step and am now so motivated that I plan to join a health and fitness club!
Katie?s 100% hands-on approach and complete flexibility ensured that differing levels of fitness and ability were catered for, and sessions adjusted and groups split as required according to individual needs on a daily basis. The instructors were fantastic and the week included individual personal training sessions which I found immensely useful. Having a swimming pool on site was a major plus and early morning aqua aerobics was the perfect way to loosen up the muscles before the day?s activities.
Thank you Katie and your wonderful team for putting up with my moans and groans and ensuring that I got everything I possibly could out of this life-changing week.

I was on the same week as Greg and Steph, and, like them, I had the most enjoyable, (active) restful weeks of my life. Katie and her team do their utmost to ensure that you achieve your best, whatever your level of fitness. We were extremely lucky in that we had wall to wall sunshine in April and the morning call was bleating lambs together with the knock on the door from that day's team leader. 7am in the pool was not only a hoot but also got your muscles moving after the previous day's exertions! The activities were varied, fun, tough at times but helped by the support of your new mates. The food was excellent and the portions enough to stop you being hungry whilst at the same time making you realise how easy it is to overfill your plate at home. We have all come back with recipes and determined to keep up the good work. For me, it was such a pleasure to wake up feeling refreshed, alert, happy and raring to go. We all lost weight and inches but actually we gained a lot more...friends, fitness and fun.

I was on the same week as Steph(16-23 April - Hi Steph!)and enjoyed it immensely. I didn't know quite what to expect but I certainly wasn't disappointed. The organisation was superlative: great exercise regime, delicious food, nutrition talks and a demonstration, massage (optional) and more. The days are full (you'll never be bored!) and quite tiring but there's enough time to rest and recover.
Also you're encouraged and motivated but at no time pushed beyond where you want to go. At times, it's a real personal challenge but the camaraderie and encouragement make you want to go on and on! Also Katie showed an infinite capacity to adjust regimes rapidly to take account of people's needs.
The pool is a really great asset at A&P. We loved the early morning pool sessions to help limber up the muscles in readiness for the day ahead. It was also a great place to come and relax during spare time. Some people also really enjoyed the sauna and jacuzzi.
For me, it was definitely one of the best weeks of my life. As well as meeting some wonderful people, I lost 13lbs. I also feel so much fitter! But the key thing for me is the feeling of well-being, relaxation and, yes, pure happiness that I felt towards the end of the week and that I have taken home with me. A few of us agreed that that is precisely the feeling that we always strive for after any holiday but so very rarely achieve!
I am now motivated to improve my health and fitness further and, thanks to Katie and all at A&P, have the knowledge and incentive to do so.

I have now completed another brillant week at Apples and Pears. I have been three times over the last two years and go when I need an energy boost and to be put back on track.
It has become a haven for me and am constantly surprised at the astonishing weight results every person achieves . It is great fun and a great way to meet lots of new people . As one of my last team members said " I havent felt as good as this in years"

I wasn't sure what to expect but had the best week ever. Everything was so well put together and all the staff were so friendly and helpful. They all kept us motivated without ever screaming or shouting. The food was amazing, although obviously there are very strict portion controls. The daily activity plans were fun but very challenging for all levels so it doesn't matter if you are quite fit or have never exercised before, you get worked at YOUR maximum capability. You really will drop at least one dress size and will lose plenty of weight and weeks afterwards I still feel really motivated to keep up the good work. I can't imagine ever wanting to go to a camp where you get your door kicked down at 5.30am by people you have to call "staff" and why would anyone want to when you can go to somewhere like Apples and Pears and get great results in a fun and friendly atmosphere.

Apples & Pears retreat was fantastic, Katie Duncan has a winning formula: professional trainers, excellent chef,interesting seminars/lectures and a commitment and attention to detail.
The week was hard work but fun, it catered for individual weight loss and fitness requirements and standards, there was such a friendly atmosphere and the group (including the trainers and Katie) all supported each other, up mountains, through mud and rain ensuring everyone got the very most out of themselves and the week.
The venue is excellent as we were able to walk out the door every day and there was loads of hot water when we all returned cold and covered in mud.
I lost lbs and inches, worked very hard and laughed a lot what more could you ask for? I will definitely return!

As someone who does a lot of fitness already, I would still rate this boot camp as Excellent!! You can work to your own level and push yourself when you want to.
Each instructor was friendly and informative and very knowledgeable about their field, from San the chef, John, Duncan, Pete, Sabine, Matt the instructors and Harriett the masseuse.
Katie the host was extreamly welcoming and friendly and even convinced me to go for an extra 6 mile run after everyone else had finished! I have never been so exhausted in all my life but extreamly pleased to have done it and got back for my dinner and bath!!
As mentioned I worked to my own level and was consequently worked a little bit harder than the others which was fine by me! I therefore found it to be a challenging, informative and practical experience and most of all, FUN, FUN, FUN!!!

The farm house setting was wonderful really homely, The whole team from the instructors to the cook are totally focused on giving you the best from your retreat, the programme was very varied and adjustments were made to my level of fitness the seminars were very helpful and give you information you can take home to support you. My whole week was so enjoyable i was pushed to do my best at all times and i learnt so much about fitness and nutrition. The evenings were relaxed and there is plenty of time to recover from the day usually in the pool or hot tub, the food was really wonderful lots of variety with special requirements catered for. I felt this retreat was really good value for money and will be going back this year. The best bit was losing a massive 9lbs of weight and 3inchs from waist plus 2inchs off hips and i didnt feel hungry once. The team motivate you at all times i went home with the knowledge and enthusiasm to lose more weight and make lifestyle changes.

This was a fantastic week, the whole course was structured perfectly, we were pushed to our absolute limit but there were recovery sessions incorporated in your day. All the instructors had their own area of excellence but each and everyone of them gave us all the motivation, inspiration and encouragement to carry us through. The food is fantastic, very healthy and varied meals for the whole week. We also got seminars on exercising properly, nutrionial advice and motivational advice, this in itself was invaluable. I would recommend this to anyone looking to attend a course like this, it has a huge thumbs up from me!!!

A fun, well run, well thought-out course which will help you get your life and body shape back on course. Not too extreme, but it challenges you to leave your comfort zone and find that you're capable of much more than you think. I lost 9 lbs in a week and found it pretty inspirational in terms of exercise and nutrition. Melanie