A backyard garden with trees, potted plants, vegetable beds, and a two-story house with a balcony under a clear blue sky.

Casa da Mãe is calling you home

A wild-hearted homestay nestled in the mountains of Central Portugal.

Rest.
Receive.
Remember.

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A woman standing in a grassy field with a house, trees, and a mountain in the background under a partly cloudy blue sky.

A home rooted in love

On this precious land, we have been sowing seeds of intention, to nourish our guests through our home grown veggies, and to cultivate a sense of ease, surrender and curiosity for every soul that lands here.

We have worked in reciprocity with the land for the past two years, getting to know her seasons and her soul. And now, she is calling us to open our home to more wild souls, so that you can experience her medicine too.

There is a sense of calm, peace and holding that this space offers, like nowhere else we’ve felt. Are you ready to come and open to the lessons this land has for you?

You don’t need to know what is waiting for you, all you have to do is answer the call.

Between the mountains and river beaches of central Portugal, you will discover Casa Da Mãe; A home & community space rooted in rewilding, connection and community as daily medicine.

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Be part of the magic at Casa da Mãe

  • A cozy bedroom with a black metal bed frame, floral bedding, and white decorative pillows. The green wall above the bed features framed artwork and mirrors. A bedside table holds a vase with flowers, and a window with white curtains lets in natural light. Potted plants are on the windowsill and nearby surface.

    HOME STAYS

    Whether you land for a weekend or a week, you’re invited to stay and be looked after. Let the land guide you while you’re here… rest, move, learn and play. Sit under the grandmother cork oak, enjoy a wild sauna, bathe under the stars and share stories over family dinners. Each of our rooms are unique, depending on what you need.

  • Group of five people standing outdoors under a blue sky, surrounded by trees and dried grass, smiling at the camera.

    RESIDENCY STAYS

    Throughout the year, we’ll be offering longer residencies, where you can join us for up to a month of co-living, co-working and co-creating. These experiences will have more of a flow, with morning practices and evening activities, opening and closing our time together in ceremony.

  • Woman using a pressure washer outdoors, laughing, with trees, grass, and a brick building in the background on a sunny day.

    SKILL SWAP STAY

    As we deepen into the natural evolution of the space here, we’re starting to plan in bigger projects. We are always looking for skilled support, so if you’re interested in getting involved, we’d love to hear from you.

  • A group of women sitting in a circle on wooden floorboards outdoors during daytime, participating in a meditation or yoga session. They are surrounded by trees and decorated with string lights and colorful flags.

    IMMERSIONS & RETREATS

    Casa da Mãe is the medicine many of us don’t know we need. Betty is a breath facilitator, wild woman guide, grief worker and playful soul, weaving her decades of teachings and experience into powerful spaces and retreats for others to soften into themselves. Whether you visit for an event or join us for a homestay, you’re always welcome in her space.

  • Women and children sitting on the floor in a circle inside a bright room with large windows, participating in a wellness or meditation activity, with a woman playing a musical instrument.

    COMMUNITY GATHERS

    From wild spa days to super clubs under the cork oak, we’re continuously working on a programme of events to bring people together to share stories, skills and magic. Get in touch to be added to our newsletter, and let us know if there’s something you’d like to bring to this beautiful land. We are in the process of building a new deck between the oak trees this year.

  • A man with sunglasses, a hat, a white t-shirt, and shorts, standing on a grassy path outdoors, with a wooden tiny house, a tree, and a forested mountain in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

    THE ARTIST'S CABIN

    In the corner of our Buddha garden you will find a gate that leads the way to our cabin in the wild. Built by Stu in 2025, this has now become the perfect sanctuary to head to for silence, stillness and inspiration. Whether you have a poject to work on and need space to focus, or simply want to be with nature for a while, our artist’s cabin will be ready for guests from Autumn 2026.

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Our journey at Casa da Mãe has been anything but ordinary. Birthed by wild souls and friends, Betty & Emily in 2024, the project began as a home, moving from England to build a slower, more sustainable life. Living in reciprocity with the land, this journey has brought precious teachings and continues to each day.

Two years on and our paths have taken us in new and exciting directions. As Emily’s chapter as guardian here closed, Betty’s partner (and now husband), Stuart, began to deepen his relationship with the land.

And so here we are, beginning a new chapter at Casa da Mãe, working in partnership to build something very special, by bringing our dreams of community, connection and play into reality. We can’t wait to welcome you.

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How we got here

When you land here, something will shift. Sleep on the earth, bathe to the sound of birdsong, move your body to the backdrop of the mountains and breathe deeply as the breeze sings through the eucalyptus tree leaves. Everything we’ve built at Casa da Mãe has been a co-creation… with each other, with nature and with the special souls that visit. Come and let yourself be cradled by nature to receive the magic of this land and what it means to experience true awe, wonder and aliveness.

The world that is waiting for you at Casa da Mãe

  • A circular glass bowl filled with water and a lemon slice floating inside, placed on soil, surrounded by red and white flowers, green leaves, and purple flowers.

    Lessons from the land

    From mornings spent sitting under the grandmother cork oak, the true guardian of the land, to creating earth altars whilst soaking up the mountain views, all is welcome here. Wander freely and find your sit spot to receive the medicine waiting for you. This land has a special way of offering you exactly what you need.

  • An outdoor scene featuring a white bathtub with black and blue bottles in the foreground, a bamboo fence, and a grassy field with trees in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

    Bathe under the stars

    Our outdoor bathroom is an experience of it’s own. We’d recommend a warm shower as the sun rises over the forest and a hot bubble bath under the stars. Add flowers that you forage from the land for an extra cleansing ritual, or some of our handmade bath salts.

  • A sauna tent on a patch of grass surrounded by trees, with smoke rising in the background and an overcast sky.

    Wild spa and sauna

    Our bast sauna tent is the perfect space to slip into ceremony with your body, embracing hot and cold therapy moving between the heat and our cold plunge bath. Guests are welcome to use the sauna during their homestay with us, or day guests can visit us for our weekly wild spa sessions. If you’re local, we can also bring our sauna to you.

  • Sliced oranges arranged on a wooden cutting board on a kitchen counter.

    From field to fork

    Our kitchen garden is always growing. Our devotion to creating sustainable living here at CDM is offered to every seed that we plant here. As our relationship with the land, seasons and climate deepens, so will our fruits. Our kitchen garden lives within our orchard of fruit trees, making it the perfect place to wander.

  • Group of people gathered outdoors under a large tree during daytime, enjoying a meal together on a sunny day.

    Family dinners

    Bringing people together over food is something very special, so gathering around the table under our cork oak is where the magic happens. When we come together at dinner time here, it’s an opportunity for guests to share their passions, culture and history through recipes and stories offered to the rest of the group. There’s a unique flow and collaboration that our kitchen brings.

  • A plate of cheese pizza slices being held in front of a rustic indoor setting with a brick oven, a mirror, and a wooden table.

    Our pizza barn

    Our pizza oven is one of the original features, found in what would have been a smoking room. Pizza night is a regular thing for any homestay guests, and we have plans to start community gathers to encourage connection and creativity. They taste amazing, too.

  • People sitting on a picnic table in a shaded outdoor area under a large leafy tree, with hanging gymnastic rings and lush green foliage in the foreground.

    Cinema nights

    We have a bell tent on the land that offers a cosy space to watch a film on our projector. We’re looking forward to opening the space to the wider community with pizza and film nights soon.

  • Group of people gathered indoors, sitting on the floor, engaged in a joyful activity or celebration, with a woman at a musical instrument and others clapping and smiling.

    Community classes & gatherings

    An experienced breath care practitioner, Betty guides powerful sacred breath ceremonies, seasonal circles, rituals, movement, meditation and nature connection journeys at CDM. Stu loves to encourage creativity through painting and crafting workshops that he guides under the cork oak. Our programme for Summer 2026 is coming soon.

  • An open watercolor painting of a woman with long hair and freckles, with a green leafy plant on her shoulder, is on a wooden table surrounded by watercolor paints, tubes, brushes, and art supplies. A person's hand is painting on a small stone, with sketchbooks and other art materials nearby.

    Reconnect with your creativity

    Nature is your canvas and your teacher. Forage for plants to make your own smudge stick, pick herbs to add to a salt scrub for the bath, or choose a stone and paint a message of love to leave on the land. Our arts & crafts cupboard is waiting for you.

  • A group of people sitting around a campfire outdoors at night, some engaging in conversation, with a dark forest background.

    Fireside magic

    Our fire pit is one of our favourite spaces in the cooler months, as we gather to cook, sing and share stories around grandfather fire. Home to some potent rituals of release and renewal, come quietly or bring your biggest voice and take what you need from this sacred space. Our community fires will start in Autumn 2026.

  • Two women sitting on a blanket by a river, surrounded by trees and a stone wall, with chairs and cars in the background.

    Exploring our river beaches

    We are lucky to have some beautiful river beaches close by. Whether it’s a morning cold dip, day out or sunset picnic, we can share our river beach guide to help you find them. From wild gorges to sandy beaches, there’s something for everyone.

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Casa da Mae - The House of the Mother - is a name that dropped in at the very beginning of this journey to honour so much.

A space to nourish our connection to mother nature.

A space to remember how to mother ourselves.

A space inspired by our own mothers.

A person kneeling on soil with hands on the ground, wearing a light-colored dress, with tattoos on their arms and hands, and jewelry including a bracelet and a bangle.
A man with glasses and a beard stands in a field during dusk, wearing a white t-shirt with a small design and beige shorts with patterns and faces, with trees, mountains, and houses in the background.
A young girl with long blonde hair and a red headband, wearing a colorful rainbow-patterned jacket and striped skirt, is hugging a woman with curly brown hair, wearing a white jacket, as they sit outdoors in front of greenery.
A natural landscape featuring trees on the left and right sides, with a grassy field in the foreground and mountains in the distance under a clear blue sky.
Woman sitting on a swing tied to a large tree outside during sunset, holding the rope with her right hand and dressed in a sleeveless top and turquoise pants.
Colorful wooden signs pointing to different outdoor amenities, including compost loo, sauna, pizza barn, and shower and bath, set against a rustic, outdoor setting with a woodpile and trees.
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A backyard garden with various plants and flowers, a vegetable patch in a raised wooden bed, trees, and a peach-colored house with a red-tiled roof on a cloudy day.

Other useful things to know

River beaches
The beauty of mountain life is all the river beaches that you will find here. From public river beaches with cafes and facilities, to the more wilder spots, guests at Casa da Mãe will have access to our guide to the best spots nearby.

Our local supermarkets
7 minutes drive away in Vila Nova do Ceira, you’ll find a small supermarket, butcher and cafe, with a larger Intermarche 15 minutes away in Vila Nova do Poiares.

Local markets
We are in the heart of lots of beautiful community markets, from Vila Nova do Poiares offering handmade crafts, vintage finds & tasty food, to Coja Multicultural market, showcasing delicious plant chefs and herbal remedies, as well as some interesting vintage finds.. Ask us for a full listing of our local markets during your stay, all 15-40 minute drive.

Mountain magic
Casa da Mãe is nestled in between two of the most beautiful mountain ranges in Central Portugal. Whilst you can meditate on the land here in awe of Serra da Lousa, we can also arrange a day out to explore Serra da Estrella, where the winter month’s welcome skiers on it’s highest peak, Torre. Five minutes down the road we also have a paragliding base, if you fancy a different kind of view of the mountains.

The call of the ocean
Surfing is popular here in Portugal due to the force of nature that is the Atlantic ocean. If you feel the call, Figueira da Foz is our closest beach, which is an hour away. We can recommend some great spots for food, depending on the time of year. The coast road there is a must visit to some of the quieter parts of the beach. There are some epic view points there too.

Miradouros
Mountain life brings mountain views, and the sunrises and sunsets you can experience here are unbeatable. We’d be happy to recommend some epic spots close to Casa da Mae to explore during your stay. Our area is full of miradouros that will have you sighing in awe.

Getting here
Casa da Mãe is nestled between the mountain ranges Serra da Lousa and Serra da Estrella. We’d always recommend flying into Porto airport, as the Flix and Rede bus stops are right outside arrivals and take you direct to Coimbra in 1hr 50mins. We’re located just off the N2, Portugal’s longest road (and 3rd longest in the world!), connecting Chaves to Faro. See our contact page for a google map link of our exact location.

Getting around
For remote Portugal, we are well connected. We’d always recommend having your own car for freedom and ease, but we’re always out and about so can support longer staying guests with food shops etc. There’s a new metro bus that runs between Serpins (10 mins away) and Coimbra, which offers great connections to the rest of Portugal and beyond. Coimbra is a beautiful city and only 35 mins away, with Flix Bus connections to Porto and Lisbon for often less than 10 euros.

Camino de Santiago
Planning on exploring the Portuguese Way? Come and stay with us for a little rest afterwards or to prepare you before you start the pilgrimage from Lisbon or Porto.

Bike hire
There are two bikes available for hire during your stay. There are some great spots to see by bike.

Paddle board hire
We have two blow up paddle boards available for hire during your stay, to help you explore some of the beautiful wild river spots nearby.

A man standing on a stone wall overlooking a valley with distant mountains, houses, and greenery in the background.
An outdoor market with various stalls selling items, under a red canopy, surrounded by trees and a cobblestone walkway, with vendors and shoppers visible.
A woman with brown hair smiling while relaxing in a natural hot spring pool, surrounded by rocky walls and some plants.
A landscape at dusk featuring silhouetted trees and mountains against a fading sky.

Our story

Betty and Stu met in Ashdown Forest in Sussex, their love blossoming over a shared love of nature, adventure and a dream of creating a more sustainable and liberated life.

Still ‘just friends’ in 2024, they found land in Central Portugal, next door to each other. A month later and their friendship blossomed into much more. They had returned home, to themselves, to nature and to each other.

Over the past two years they’ve been busy adding magic to their spaces, from Stu’s beautiful wooden cabin, to Betty’s kitchen garden. A natural pairing of shared vision, complimentary skills and team work.

Moving back and forth between Portugal and Sussex, their adventures were always rooted in nature, from walks on Chailey Common to road trips to Wales in Stu’s van.

Getting married in May this year, Betty & Stu are now weaving more of their magic together, as they begin this new chapter as husband and wife at Casa da Mãe and open their home to their wider community.

They are the perfect team to bring their dream to reality, with Betty’s project management and facilitator experience and Stu’s building skills, creativity and vision. They can’t wait to share their home with you.

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A couple sitting on a grassy field during sunset, with rolling hills and trees in the background, enjoying a peaceful moment together.
Landscape scene with tall trees, rolling hills, and distant mountains under a partly cloudy sky during daytime.

Welcome to our village

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A man and a woman walking on a dirt path through a forested area.
A woman with freckles and a nose ring smiling while lying on the ground next to large green leafy plants in a garden.