About

About us

As stated on the Home page – we are a Hidden Gem here at Song of the River.

We are situated here in a beautiful country setting along the River Clywedog, just outside Wrexham, North Wales.

Song of the River is our home, Barbara and Nick Allen, we have been living here since May 2006. Whilst enjoying our home and surroundings, we decided it would be nice to invite women who need to find some peace and solace in their lives and with some guided help from Barbara on many levels, try to put your life back on track. We offer a healing therapeutic one day ( incl 1 night)or two days (incl 2 nights stay), allowing you to prepare for what meditation is, how it can really help you in your everyday lives. We do this with a wide range of therapies and meditations, spiritual guidance, sound therapy and many more. Please take a look at our pages and you will see for yourself how inviting our help could be to those who feel drawn to spend time in this beautiful environment. All sessions are inclusive in your cost.

We soon realised after moving in that there seemed to be an amazing energy about the land here, so we decided to research the area and invite a dowser here, and to our absolute delight it soon became apparent that we were on the right lines because he highlighted many energy grids on the land in and around the house.

I have for many years been very attracted to the Egyptians and their culture on many levels ranging from healing techniques and sacred energy tools (Egyptian Healing Rods), like the Egyptians there are many descriptions of maps and how they worshipped the Leg of the Bull in the night sky (The seven sisters) commonly known as the Pleiades, I also had been drawn to this star cluster many years before arriving at Can Yr Afon, you can see them quite clearly in the winter months between November and March, it turns out that was the reason for my attraction to the Egyptians and the Pleaides, here at Can Yr Afon we are mirrored to the Pleaides, hence the beautiful energies here which are truly amazing to help anyone who is drawn here and gain the unconditional love portal.

I wrote my book a few years ago explaining the so called coincidences of being pulled here and how many other “Leg of the Bulls” shapes there actually are all over the planet. My book is called ‘Mirror Images and Keys of Connection’, a fascinating read, for those who feel drawn to find out more please visit my sister site http://www.alexandria-connections.co.uk

We have recently added a new Log Cabin to our property, situated right on the Riverside, it is truly tranquil and a place to meditate, practice Yoga and can be booked for a full day for no more than 4 people. Please contact Barbara on 01978 754198 for details.

Testimonials:

Review – August 2025

A Special Place

I chose this retreat because they were offering a 1:1 experience, which I had not found before. I’ve been on retreats with large numbers before, and I felt on this occasion I wanted something more peaceful.
They were also really flexible with dates and allowed me to arrive at a time that suited me.

This retreat was exactly what I needed. I was feeling overworked and mentally tired. Barbara and her partner Nick have created a special space that feels different from other retreats. It feels more like staying with old friends.

They prepared beautiful meals and sat and chatted, listening to my plans for the future. Offering advice where they could. I felt like I’d known them for years. They were very open about their own life experiences and were happy to share.
Barbara taught me about the mysterious connection the place has to Egyptian culture and a cluster of stars known as the Pleiades. She believes the energy at the retreat draws people there for a reason.
Different therapies are available to help with relaxation and find a deeper connection. I loved the singing bowls, Egyptian energy rods, and massage.

I also enjoyed Nick’s guided meditation; he’s very wise and insightful with a great voice! There’s an incredible energy in the wooden cabin that sits beside the river. I spent time sitting in there absorbing the peace.
It’s difficult to describe how I felt when I left, only to say I was more ‘aligned’ with myself. My stay was short, but the benefits were profound.
Thank you so much, Barbara and Nick.

Katie – East Sussex

Anonymous Yogi

Posted on Aug 19, 2025

We Had an Amazing Experience

I was stressed, overwhelmed, and burned out. I was experiencing a recent bereavement.

The location of the retreat was local, reasonably priced and the surroundings were beautiful.

We definitely felt more grounded, relaxed, and energised. The guided meditation and other practices helped bring us back to the centre and begin to realise traumas and fears.

Barbara and Nick made us feel welcome and at ease. They were so kind, caring, and accommodating, and seemed to intuitively know what we needed from the experience.

They went above and beyond to ensure we had an amazing experience. We will most definitely be returning. A huge thank you to them both!

Review for Song of the River Healing Retreat in Wales with Barbara & Nick. 

I have just returned from my 2 day / 2 night healing retreat in Wales with my friend. 

I have been on my own journey for many years now… bit by bit working through my traumas, stress & just juggling life in general. After a very traumatic 2 years & working hard on myself to become the best version of myself it was on my bucket list to visit Wales in the near future. 

A friend & I discussed a healing retreat and when we looked into it we chose this one! 

I have come back & feel amazing, my energy has changed. I have been guided on what I need to work on & confirmed a lot of what I already knew. This trip bought up things from my childhood I now know is causing me barriers in my adult life, this trip was like a light bulb moment. I spend the first day working hard & digging deep and the second day was full of acceptance & relaxation. It blew me away. 

Barbara & Nick shared their home with us & I’ve never been anywhere that I have felt so at home, at ease, welcomed & honestly safe. It was a really safe space to be. They are the kindest most genuine people. 

We engaged in talking (through choice of what we wanted to discuss) we had relaxation and the environment around us was perfect, so peaceful & exactly what we needed. 

I highly recommend going to this retreat, I will be going again in the future & feel with two nights you get so much benefit – personally I needed that second day. 

I now have a clear focus on what I need to do to help myself moving forwards to improve my life even more than I already had. I can’t wait for my next chapter. 

Thank you for you hospitality Barbara & Nick. You truly are amazing at what you do. 

Lucy – South East England

I Am So Very Glad I Did It!!

I was ready for a deep release and clearing of some old survival patterns and emotions. Barbara was amazing at facilitating this.
She worked wonders and I left feeling a genuine deep healing and shift had occurred in her skillful and healing hands and energy.

Barbara took the time to ask what I was wanting. She was very intuitive and I felt all the healing tools she used were just right.
The facial, head, neck, and foot massages were incredible too for calming and soothing my nervous system and energy.

A deep release, healing, and shift of some very deep painful beliefs and emotions, on every level and especially spiritually.
Being in the beautiful home, lodge, treatment room, and home of RiverSong was so welcoming and healing. Spending well-thought-out evening meals with Barbara and her husband was a delight too
I left feeling changed in a deeply profound way.

I would highly recommend anyone wanting a place to go and heal and be thoroughly nurtured and cared for, in very skilful hands.
I am so very glad I did it!!

Amanda

Excellent Hosts

I went on a retreat because of the death of my husband, I was struggling to find any purpose, and I was exhausted.

It was close to my home. I was the only guest, and I was made to feel very special. Barbara is a very caring, nurturing woman, she listened to me and helped me so much in a short time.

Improvement to psoriasis. Clearer mind. Greater self-awareness. Relaxed. Less burdened by life. Excellent ideas to improve or move away from a toxic work environment.

Sue W.

Barbara and Nick were excellent hosts, we had some great conversations, and I feel very privileged to have been welcomed into their beautiful home.

“Staying at Barbara and Nick’s place surpassed my expectations. I felt so welcome and at home with them. We connected on many levels and I was nurtured through therapeutical conversations, rejuvenated through spa treatments and nature walks, and spiritually guided with many meditations and healing practices. I learned a lot of wisdom from this couple that I will carry with me through life. I know I was guided to come here at the right time”.
Love and light,
Julia (Southern England)

My stay at the Song of the River Sanctuary was so enjoyable . From the time I arrived until I left I was treated like part of the family .
The location is adorable magical and so calming , having the choice of a few locations to remain relaxed and chilled out.
Barbara and Nick were incredible hosts preparing food drinks and comfort to make my stay so special and unique.
The Spiritual approach combined with a Hot Stone massage was a joy to behold, the sessions of Egyptian rods and the meditations enabled me to embrace the moment and improve my mental health and well being .
When it was time to leave , I didn’t want to go home, I certainly will be returning and fully endorse anyone looking for a short stay retreat to choose this location and it’s incredible hosts .
Thank you so much for everything

Regards

Tanya (Merseyside)

Wonderful, peaceful location for this, my first trip since covid began. Delivered everything it promised – warm welcome, friendly and professional hosts, fabulous treatments including hot stones and beautiful Bulgarian rose facial treatment . Learning about and experiencing the energy of the Egyptian wands was wonderful and very informative. Lovely , nutritious food eaten with the hosts which felt really comfortable. Barbara is a very intuitive person and works together with you so that you get the best out of your time with her. The newly added log cabin is a special place to be with a great ambience, the peaceful sound of water and wonderful views from the huge round window to the river and the fields beyond. The guided meditations led by Nick in the cabin both were powerful and relaxing at the same time. It was also great to be picked up and dropped off at the train station – an added bonus! For me the one to one aspect was really what I wanted at his stage of my life and development .On the whole a fantastic experience and I would highly recommend Song of the River.

Jean (Midlands)

A Place of Spiritual Paradise

Barbara & Nick have made the most relaxing and welcoming spiritual retreat in the most amazing location.  There’s a wonderful story behind all what they do at the retreat which I’m sure they will share with you on your stay

They are so invested in making everything perfect and unique for your visit.

Barbara is an amazing healer, and her treatments are wonderful, we tried different techniques with methods on our stay and came away completely in balance and totally relaxed and chilled out.

They provide lovely food on your stay and I would definitely recommend Nicks Indian food to anyone ! There is also great walks with small waterfalls straight from there garden to walk your lunch off.

The energy at the retreat is so powerful and totally amazing, it doesn’t matter where you are on your spiritual journey, there’s something there for everyone in whatever you’re looking or searching for.

I read the reviews before my wife and I went and thought it’s too good to be true.

I can tell you it’s better than good and is definitely true.

It’s another piece of paradise we have found in the world with the most amazing hosts

Take care both of you, say hi to Nick for us. 
All Our Best 

Mark & Caroline (Kent)