WHAT DO WE OFFER?

Residential and non-residential Retreats and Quiet Days.

If you are looking for prayer and contemplation in solitude along with a short, daily conversation with a trained accompanier as the only content (aside from eating and sleeping!) – these are the Individually Guided Retreats, or IGRs for short. They vary from three to eight days duration.

If you are wary of too much silence, or want to practise extending it gradually, look for Contemplative Activity Retreats.

Because everyone is different, so too are the retreats we organise.

All retreats and quiet days are based around quiet and prayer but some are silent for the majority of your stay, and some not; some have programmed activities and some do not; some are done ‘solo’ and some as a small group.

4-Day, Individually Guided Retreat

Sunday 10 August, 5:00pm - Friday 15 August, 10:00am

This silent, guided retreat is led by Alison Hobbs and Alison Moore. First-timers and experienced participants welcome.

Cost (fully catered) £430 - first time booking deals offered

4-Day, Individually Guided Retreat

Wednesday 1 October, 5:00pm - Monday 6 October, 10:00 am

This silent, guided retreat is led by Alison Hobbs and Michael O'Halloran. First-timers and experienced participants welcome.

Cost (fully catered) £430 - first time booking deals offered

2025

Quiet Day:

'The Woman at the Well’

Saturday 2 August, 10am – 4pm

A day of led meditation and prayer centred on the Retreat Association icon, with space in the timetable for private prayer and walking.

Free but requires pre-booking as numbers are limited. Refreshments available to purchase, or bring your own packed lunch. Tea & coffee provided.

We are delighted to be hosting the icon 'Woman at the Well' commissioned by The Retreat Association.

The icon will be on display in the Castle Chapel throughout the Brancepeth Castle Summer Craft Fair, Friday 25 July, 10 – 5, Saturday 26 July, 10 – 5, Sunday 27 July, 12-5

Accommodation

We occupy a part of this vast, fabulous, c.14th building. We aim for a simple lifestyle, in tune with the environment. Much of the building is, therefore, un-heated for most of the year, which works for a lot of people but not everyone.

We have a surprisingly large and beautiful chapel, which is open 24/7 to retreatants. During retreats we hold a daily (Anglican) Eucharist. Throughout the year a midday eucharist is held several times a week, to which all are welcome.

It is a large site with plenty of contrasting areas to sit and walk, pray and talk; to find solitude and privacy. Good, easy walking countryside surrounds us. Pilgrim routes, more challenging walking, and areas of outstanding natural beauty are within reach. Bring outdoor shoes/boots.

Contemplative Activity Retreats use a room equipped for craft and art, and supervised use of equipment in workshops.

All our rooms are large, including most bedrooms so they are furnished as sitting and studying spaces as well as sleeping, and can be individually heated as requested.

Catering

Residential Retreats

We mostly host fully catered events, doing our own cooking from scratch: homemade soups and home baked breads are a speciality!

Partial self-catering is sometimes an option, and occasionally a requirement. Dietary needs can be accommodated but must be pre-arranged.