Kent
Minster Abbey
Minster Abbey is a community of Benedictine Nuns near Ramsgate that offers a variety of interesting retreats. The programme for 2015 consists of a Bereavement Retreat, an Icon Retreat and a Retreat for parents or brothers and sisters of people with a disability. A small library with a good selection of spiritual books is available for use during your stay. A sister is available for spiritual accompaniment if requested in advance. A large meeting room is available for private hire, as well as a small kitchen, for group conferences or retreats. The Guest House, situated in the grounds of the ancient Abbey, is open to residential guests from January until the end of September and most of the year to day retreatants. Accommodation includes some single rooms and some twin rooms, some en suite, some shared bathrooms. Self-catering stays are available on request. Up to seventeen people can stay at the abbey at any time. During the summer months families are welcome, as well as young women who would like a working holiday. The Abbey is not able to welcome men unless they form part of a group or a family. There is good disabled access.
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01843 821254
Malling Abbey
The Malling nuns in West Malling welcome 3,000 guests each year, including individuals for retreats, groups for quiet days and those coming for special events such as Heritage Open Days. A programme of residential retreats and events is available and groups are welcome for quiet days.
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01732 843309
The Friars
The Friars – Aylesford Priory – is an ancient religious house of the Order of Carmelites dating back to the 13th Century. Members of the community at Aylesford Priory are involved in working with many groups that come to The Friars during the course of the year. Groups are able to ask for a Friar to work alongside them. Guests can make their own private retreat or alternatively there is a full programme of retreats throughout the year, which are open to anyone who wishes to participate. An organised retreat will take the form of talk/discussion periods, quiet time and joining the community services. Pilgrimages, Days of Prayer and All Night Vigils are also a regular feature of life at The Friars. The Guesthouse can sleep up to 100 and visitors are welcome to stay from one day up to two weeks as individuals or as part of a group. There is a range of single, double, twin and family rooms available, however there are few en suite facilities. There is disabled access.
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01622 717272
Stacklands Cottage
Stacklands Cottage is a self-catered home situated in beautiful gardens in West Kingsdown and provides an idyllic place for those who want a quiet retreat in beautiful surroundings. There is accommodation for up to 3 people (one double bed and one single) and also a small prayer room for quietness or silence. The cottage is well equipped for a comfortable stay. The cottage welcomes small groups from any Christian denomination and also welcomes enquiries from those who wish to hire on a daily basis for quiet days and reflections.
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07979 157 603
The Living Well
The Living Well, based in a large house in peaceful grounds in Nonington, is a resource for the healing ministry, which aims to provide a safe place where people can come to learn more about the healing love of Christ. The house can be used by those who wish to make a day’s retreat on their own but it is also possible for parish groups to use the house for a Quiet Day or for a Healing Day. It may be possible for a Living Well team member to facilitate/lead a day if it is appropriate or for the group to make their own arrangements. There is a programme of Healing Days and Quiet Days throughout the year but no residential programme.
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01304 842847
Creative Retreats and Holidays
Creative Retreats and Holidays offer Christian retreats in Chilham, combining prayer with the opportunity to learn the crafts of stained glass or glass applique. No accommodation is available but there are B&Bs within walking distance. There is good access to walking and the centre welcomes individuals or couples or two friends. There is no disabled access.
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01227 730598
The Quiet View
The Quiet View is a centre for contemplative spirituality set in two acres of lovely gardens and surrounded by countryside near Canterbury. Spiritual accompaniment is available. Groups or individuals are welcome. A number of spaces are available to hire for groups, including a 50-seating yurt. The centre offers a programme of prayers, workshops, and activities. Quiet View is non-residential.
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01227 830070
West Sussex
Monastery of the Holy Trinity
This monastery is set in woodland near Crawley and houses a community of men and women living a contemplative life, uniting silence, work and prayer in a simple life style based on the Rule of St Benedict. The Community is especially concerned with uniting the traditions of East and West, and has developed the Liturgy, Divine Office and use of the Jesus Prayer accordingly. Facilities are available for up to six individuals to stay accommodated in single rooms.
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01342 712074
Christian Youth Enterprises
TS Resolute is a converted ship in Chichester Harbour that offers a programme of silent and self-guided retreats and quiet days with resources and spiritual direction available. There is a labyrinth on site and other options include guided pilgrimages or (weather permitting) a time of reflection on the water .The ship can sleep 56 in 14 en suite cabins, which each sleep four in bunk-beds. However, these are usually single occupancy for retreats unless otherwise requested. There is one limited-mobility cabin with wheelchair access.
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01243 573375
Chemin Neuf Community
The Chemin Neuf community in Sussex offers a programme of retreats that individuals and groups are welcome to join. The retreats are led by a member of the Chemin Neuf community. Individually guided retreats are available on request. Spiritual direction is also available. The Priory and Chapel are available for days for groups of up to 30 people. There is good access to walks in beautiful surrounding countryside. There is accommodation for 36 people in shared rooms. There is no disabled access.
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01903 742150
Worth Abbey Crawley
Worth Abbey is a Benedictine monastery which offers retreats and quiet days for individuals or groups for up to 36 people including options for creative retreats or silent retreats. Spiritual direction is available. Also offers year-long courses in spiritual growth. Good opportunities for walking in surrounding countryside. Worth Abbey welcomes youth and families. There is a variety of options for accommodation including camping, or a good number of rooms for single, twin or family occupancy (some en suite). Disabled access.
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01342 710318
East Sussex
Penhurst Retreat Centre
Penhurst offers a programme of led and accompanied retreats including creative retreats, an Easter retreat programme and mission-focused retreats. The centre is also available for individuals (including beginners), small group retreats and catered quiet days. Spiritual direction is available. There is good access to walks in beautiful surrounding countryside. Accommodation includes single, twin, double, en suite and wheelchair access options.
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01424 892088
Crowhurst Christian Healing Centre
Guests can stay at Crowhurst for a few days or up to two weeks for rest, retreat, healing prayer and ministry. The centre welcomes individuals, families, or groups. The daily programme revolves around worship, Holy Communion and twice-weekly healing services, which are also open to the public. Each day concludes with the service of Night Prayer, at 8.00 pm. Prayer ministry is available to guests. The centre offers Healing Weekends, Quiet days, training, conferences and a programme of themed retreats. The centre features an Art Room where guests are encouraged to be creative under the encouraging and prayerful guidance of a resident artist. A library and two chapels are also available for use by guests. Meeting rooms are available to hire. There is a prayer walk featured in the gardens. There are 19 bedrooms, six of which are twin-bedded, most with en suite facilities. All accommodation is full board.
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01424 830033
The Oast Houses Christian Retreat Centre
The Oast Houses in Northiam has no programme of retreats but welcomes church groups of all Christian denominations and provides accommodation and facilities for up to 50 guests for catered stays. The six converted Oast Houses, together with ancillary buildings, feature a variety of accommodation of 15 rooms, 13 of which are en suite, including singles, twins, triples and a quadruple. A total of 41 guests can be accommodated. There is one meeting room for hire, which seats up to 50 people. There is a swimming pool, sauna and tennis court on site as well as gardens and surrounding countryside, both of which give easy access for walking. Further accommodation for up to 9 people is available at Old Oak Cottage. This detached 15th-century property is just up the lane from The Oast Houses. It can be booked for private retreats on a self-catering basis by those involved in a Christian ministry.
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01797 253311
Ashburnham Place
Ashburnham provides a place for retreat, rest, refreshment and connection for people from all walks of life. Ashburnham Place is stewarded by the Ashburnham Christian Trust and is home to a serving community of Christians from many traditions. Set in 220 acres of stunning grounds and gardens with three lakes, the centre offers a programme from one day to week-long retreats. Ashburnham Place welcomes individuals or groups, with a variety of rooms available to book. Accommodation comprises 271 beds in 121 bedrooms to suit different budgets and needs. There is disabled access.
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01424 892244
London
DeMazenod House
In the heart of the City of London, the DeMazenod Retreat Centre provides a programme of retreats, meeting rooms to hire, Spiritual Direction, as well as retreat facilitation for groups. The Dmazenot programme includes individually guided retreats and other retreats – such as themed retreats, city retreats, Christian meditation retreats – for individuals or groups of up to six people for one to six days duration. Single rooms with or without en suite are available.
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020 7702 3544
Kairos Centre
The Kairos Retreat Centre is an urban oasis situated within three acres of gardens and overlooking Richmond Park. Kairos offer a programme of organised retreats, including preached retreats, silent retreats, individually guided retreats, as well as other events. Spiritual direction, aromatherapy and reflexology are available on request. Kairos welcomes all people, either individuals or groups, especially from parishes, deaneries or diocese. There are private meeting rooms available to hire for the day or longer. Accommodation in single or twin rooms, some en suite, is available. There is also a modern bungalow in the grounds with three en suite bedrooms and a conservatory, which is ideal for meetings. The bungalow is also suitable for hire for small groups and as a self-catering facility. The main building has good disabled access, however, the bungalow does not.
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020 8788 4188
Milleret House
The mission of Milleret House, inspired by St Marie Eugenie who founded the Religious of the Assumption to bring the world to Christ through the work of education, is the Christian education of young people in the Church. There is a programme of events, including retreat and study days for both children and adults. Groups can also hire a variety of meeting spaces to suit groups of 5-50 and facilitate retreats or meetings themselves or alternatively input and facilitation can be provided and tailored to the needs of each group. Accommodation for 12 people, with 6 single rooms, 2 en suite, and 2 twin/bunk-bedded rooms is available. Access to the Maria Assumpta chapel is also available as well as to peaceful and private gardens.
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020 7361 4756
Royal Foundation of St Katharine
A place to stay, meet or retreat, the Foundation is used by groups and individuals on quiet days or retreats, as an alternative to London hotels, attending conferences or workshops, or hiring the meeting room facilities. The Foundation offers a programme of led or unled reflection days as well as offering a variety of private rooms that can be used for retreats by groups or individuals. Access is available to the St Katharine’s chapel, which is open for use at all times. Services are held daily. A large amount of accommodation available, comprising doubles, singles, twin or family rooms all en suite from £70 a night up to £150. There is good disabled access.
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0300 111 1147
The Welcome: Sisters of St Andrew
The Welcome is the home of an Ignation community and is set in a large garden in close proximity to Blackheath Common and Greenwich Park. The Welcome offers a programme of Quiet Days, Workshops, individually guided retreats, events and training. Spiritual accompaniment with a Sister of the community is available on request. The centre offers 7 single rooms and 2 en-suite rooms. Guests are all self-catering, but the house has fully equipped kitchenettes. There is access to the ‘Oast House Chapel’, which is used for both personal and group prayer. The community holds prayers there daily. There are spaces for hire for small and larger groups (max. 25). Groups have use of a kitchen. There is access to a small ‘creative space’ with art materials as well as good selection of spiritual books, music and other resources. There is good disabled access.
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020 8852 1662
St Michael’s Convent
The community located at Ham Common includes Sisters and a number of Alongsiders, in addition to staff and volunteers. During a stay at St Michael’s, guests are welcome to join in the daily worship and to enjoy the chapel, library and extensive garden. Space is available for group and team meetings and members of the house are available for spiritual accompaniment, psychotherapy and counselling. St Michael’s welcomes small residential groups (usually between 3 and 6 people) and is especially popular with cell / home groups or groups from parishes. St Michael’s welcomes groups and individuals of any faith. A programme of residential retreats is offered – both individually guided or led with various themes and styles.
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020 8940 8711
Surrey
House of Prayer
The House of Prayer is run by the Sisters of the Christian Retreat, and a programme of retreats, courses and regular groups is available to help people on their spiritual journey. These include retreats from one to seven days long, on different themes throughout the year. The House also welcomes those looking for private retreats or quiet days. The House of Prayer can accommodate day groups up to a maximum of 30 people and can provide a facilitator, if required. Spiritual accompaniment is available on request. There are seven bedrooms (three en suite), but these are reserved for individuals on residential retreats.
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020 8941 2313
Claridge House
Claridge House is a Quaker centre for healing situated in rural Surrey in two acres of gardens. The house is available as a place to stay to find rest and renewal or as a residential centre for those enrolled on retreats, courses or workshops offered at Claridge, which include healing with music, painting, crafts, yoga and circle dancing. Claridge House also offers led day retreats as part of the varied programme of retreats on offer. Claridge is also available for group stays over a weekend or midweek and is sometimes available for hire by a group for exclusive use. The stays are full board, with vegetarian food. The house can accommodate 12 people in individual bedrooms, four of which are on the ground floor, two being in a purpose-built annex, with facilities for disabled people. A maximum of 16 guests can be accommodated.
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01342 832150
St Columba’s House
Saint Columba’s House is open to residential and day groups as well as individuals. The house offers a varied programme of retreats and quiet days on topics such as theology, Christian meditation and creative prayer. St Columba’s House has a variety of rooms available to hire for groups, which can accommodate 3 to 80 people. A reading room with a Christian library is also available for guests to use. St Columba is very happy to arrange bespoke events for a group alongside the varied programme of retreats. The house has 1 twin and 21 single en suite bedrooms in the main house. Two of these have disability access and an alarm. Redwood House (in the grounds) has 4 twin bedrooms, 3 of which are en suite and the fourth has a separate shower room.
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01483 766498
Wychcroft
Wychcroft, the Southwark Diocesan Training Centre, was first used by the Diocese as the home of the Southwark Ordination Course and other training in the Diocese. The house is now available to hire to groups who wish to use the house for appropriate group training activities and who value the peace and quiet of its location. When the house is not being used residentially, it can be used for day conference groups. The facilities include meeting rooms, library, lounge, dining room and a chapel. The house has 23 bedrooms and can accommodate up to 36 guests.
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01883 743041
Northern France
Prieuré Saint-Thomas
Located 30 miles from Paris, The Priory of St. Thomas is an Ignation retreat centre set in four acres of parkland. The Priory welcomes groups, families and individuals as a place to find peace and serenity and runs a varied programme of retreats, some aimed at young people, some led by members of the Priory community. The Priory can sleep 66 people in single, double or family rooms. It also has several functional meeting rooms available to hire to groups.
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(+33) 02378 36001
Le Hautmont
60 miles from Calais and close to the Belgian border, Le Hautmont Ignation Spirituality Centre is set in eight acres of beautiful countryside and offers a programme of retreats, courses and workshops. Individually guided retreats are available if requested in advance. Individuals or groups are welcome; meeting spaces are available to hire privately for groups. There are 45 single bedrooms available that can be made into doubles. There are no en suite bedrooms.
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(+33) 03202 60961
Centre Spirituel Manrèse
Just five miles outside of Paris, bordering the forest of Meudon, Le Centre Spirtuel Manrèse welcomes any person onto its programme of retreats featuring themed quiet days, 2-3 praying days, 2-8 day theological educational retreats, 5, 8 or 30 day group retreats with a guide, or individual retreats for 3-8 days. The centre welcomes individuals or groups who can either join in the programme of activities or make their own arrangements. Spiritual accompaniment is available on request.
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(+33) 01452 99860
Centre spirituel du Cénacle
The Centre is located near Paris, 800 meters from the Castle and the Park of Versailles. The Centre offers 6 meeting rooms, 2 conference rooms and there is a lounge for hire. Accommodation comprises 19 double rooms, 6 single rooms, most with shower and toilet. There is disabled access and parking. The annual programme includes retreats, reflection and training. Groups and individuals can book onto organised retreat or can lead their own. Groups can request a member of the community team to work with them and spiritual accompaniment is available on request to individuals.
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(+33) 01395 02156
Le Centre des Tourelles
The Arras Diocese centre of spiritual formation – just 30 miles from Calais – welcomes individuals, families, groups, clergy and laity. Daily prayer and Eucharist are available for participation. A team, consisting of clergy and laity, offers healing times, retreats, spiritual direction, reflection time, preparations for marriage and lectures on various topics. A program of activities is available. The Centre welcomes groups to stay for a day, a weekend or a week and has a number of rooms available for use. Accommodation comprises 48 rooms with 1 or 2 beds, including 31 with showers and toilets. There is good disabled access.
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(+33) 03218 37142
Maison Diocésaine Saint Vaast d’Arras
The House St Vaast is near the city center, so there are good transport links, but it is also a place for quiet, set in the middle of a large park. There is a Chapel on site, as well as 2 conference rooms (120 and 200 seats); 11 meeting rooms are available to hire. The House can cater for up to 200 people at one time. There is a variety of accommodation, including some rooms with en suite and single or double beds, together with some shared bathrooms with bunk beds. There is good disabled access.
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(+33) 03212 14038
The Mill Retreat Centre
Half-way between Paris and Calais, The Mill Retreat Centre is located in 30 acres of grounds and is perfect for relaxing walks and wildlife spotting. Meeting/Yoga rooms for up to 100 people are available to hire. A coach can be booked from London to The Mill. This is not specifically a Christian retreat centre but is available to book for large groups to use as your own retreat space. Bedrooms are available to sleep 40 comfortably or up to 50 people max. There is disabled access.
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0845 310 8063